By Camille Aubin
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At this time of year, many countries in the world (including Belgium, Serbia, the UK, France and many more) pause and remember all men and women who served, as well those who still serve, and especially the ones who sacrifice their lives during war. Of course, it’s the case in Canada too, but it is not celebrated in the same way in every province.
Remembrance Day rekindles public interest in the remembrance of war and military sacrifice, drawing thousands of people to ceremonies in towns and cities across the country. It remains a day dedicated to remembering the dead, but some traditional ceremonies also encouraged people to remember the horrors of war and work for peace.
Depending on where you are or where you come from, Remembrance Day experiences can be very different. In Canada, six of the ten provinces have made Remembrance Day a statutory holiday. Businesses must remain closed, and everyone gets a holiday, thus they have time to participate in any events and to remember.
Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland don’t have a statutory holiday on Nov. 11. In Quebec, it’s pretty much like any other day of the year. Except that you can observe people wearing their poppies, you might hear teenagers talking about it because their teacher mentions it during history classes (it’s obligatory in the curriculum). Of course, the ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa is televised across the country and most media, including newspapers, magazines, TV, radio stations, and websites. They broadcast special reports, interviews, or surveys on military history or themes linked to memory as many Canadians take Remembrance Day very seriously, irrespective of whether or not it is a statutory holiday in their province.
Federal government employees or federal company employees in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have time off because the federal government has set Nov. 11 as a statutory holiday for its employees.
Maybe all Canadians should have Nov. 11 as a statutory holiday. Having this day off allows people to take time to honour our veterans by taking part in a parade or a fundraiser and by visiting a cenotaph. The C-311 law project proposes to add Nov. 11 to the list of legal holidays, such as July 1. The goal is to officially recognize and celebrate Remembrance Day across Canada.
On Nov. 11, all together, two meters apart, let’s remind ourselves of the horrifying cost of war, and remember all those Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice, their families and friends, also all those who came back from war injured and subdued. At 11 a.m., take time to think about this during two minutes of silence.
