Governor General Urges Young Canadians to Learn from Veterans’ Sacrifices at National Remembrance Day Ceremony

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon salutes after placing a wreath during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon today urged young Canadians to learn from the sacrifices that veterans and the country’s fallen soldiers have made in the past.

Simon attended the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, where she placed a wreath on the National War Memorial near Parliament Hill, and saluted veterans and members of the Canadian military as they marched in the ceremony’s annual parade.

“I encourage everyone to listen to and share the stories of bravery and heroism that each veteran carries,” said Simon in a statement on Nov. 11. “I urge young people in particular to take on the mantle of remembrance and to learn how the sacrifice of veterans has changed the world.”

Simon also honoured members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), whom she said are “devoted to serving this country and protecting the values we hold dear.”

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay place a wreath during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

“They do so with professionalism and an unmatched sense of duty,” she said, adding, “We can do no less than support them and their families for all that they do.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn’t attend the ceremony as he is attending the ASEAN summit in Cambodia. Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay represented the government at the ceremony.

Trudeau released a statement today commemorating Canada’s fallen soldiers and veterans, saying they “uphold our values here at home and around the world.”

“In hockey arenas, school gymnasiums, city centres, and retirement homes in every community across the country, we vow to never forget the sacrifices members of the Canadian Armed Forces and our Veterans have made for us,” he said in the statement.

‘Solemn Reflection’

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was also in attendance at today’s national remembrance ceremony.

“Today, the hearts of Canadians are heavy with solemn reflection,” he said in a statement. “Gathering around cenotaphs and war memorials, our heads are bowed together in sorrow as we remember the thousands of Canadians who have fallen in service to our country.”

This year’s remembrance memorial marks the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid in France during the Second World War, during which over 900 Canadians lost their lives.

Poilievre noted that this year’s memorial also marks the 105th anniversary of both the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Passchendaele, both of which occurred in the First World War.

“On Remembrance Day, we are reminded that our freedom is not free. It has been bought with a heavy price,” said Poilievre.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a Nov. 11 statement that Canadian veterans continue to deserve the highest honours.

A person touches the helmet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after laying a poppy, at the National War Memorial after the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, on Nov. 11, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

“Canada’s Veterans and their families deserve to be better supported. For too long, government after government has not met the needs of Veterans in Canada,” he said.

‘Be Ready’

CAF Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre has said recently that Canada’s military is undergoing a staffing “crisis” and he today called on Canadians to “be ready” to serve their country in the future.

“Our national prosperity is under increasing threat. The country’s going to be calling upon you more and more in the future, and so I ask you to be ready,” he told Global News.

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, also recently said there is an ongoing personnel “crisis” in the navy.

“We need more people. We need them as quickly as we can get them,” he told The Canadian Press on Sept. 21.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.