Every year on November 11, we pause to remember the Canadians who served — and those who never returned home. At 11a.m., across the country, people stop what they’re doing and take a moment of silence. It’s a small act, but it connects us to generations of bravery, sacrifice, and service.
In a world that moves quickly — where daily life, headlines, and distractions can easily pull our focus elsewhere — it can be surprisingly easy to let moments like this slip by. But that’s exactly why Remembrance Day matters. The freedoms and stability we often take for granted were built on real sacrifice. Remembering this history is more important than ever.
For Canada, Remembrance Day is not just a date on the calendar. It’s a thread running through our history. More than 600,000 Canadians served in the First World War. Over one million more served in the Second World War. Many were young. Many volunteered. Many never saw their families again. Their courage and commitment helped shape the freedoms we live with today.
In communities across the country — big cities, small towns, and rural roads — cenotaphs and memorials list the names of those who never came home. These are more than names carved in stone. They were fathers, mothers, siblings, neighbours, and friends. Their stories are part of who we are as a country.
We also honour the generations of veterans who returned home and continued to serve Canada in quieter ways. Some went back to work on farms, in mills, in mines, and in factories. Others carried unseen scars of conflict. All contributed to rebuilding their communities and shaping the Canada that grew in the decades after the wars.
Today, we also recognize the men and women who continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. Our peacekeepers, naval crews, pilots, medics, engineers, and soldiers stand ready in times of crisis — at home and internationally. Their service, dedication, and professionalism reflect the same spirit shown by those who came before them.
Remembrance Day is a moment to slow down and reflect, but it is also an invitation to remember throughout the year. To learn the stories behind the medals. To visit the cenotaph in your community. To speak with a veteran when you have the chance. To understand the cost of the freedoms we often take for granted.
As we pause today, we honour:
- Those who fought in the First and Second World Wars
- Those who served in Korea, Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions around the world
- Those who never returned
- Those who returned carrying the weight of war
- Those who continue to serve Canada today
Their sacrifices are immeasurable. Their courage endures. And their legacy belongs to every Canadian.
At 11 Pacific time, we join millions across the country in a moment of silence — to remember, to reflect, and to say, in the simplest and most sincere way possible:
We will never forget.
