Each year on Remembrance Day, we pause to remember the tremendous sacrifices of Canada’s men and women in uniform.
This year we’ve marked some important milestones in our shared history. In August we honoured the 75th anniversary of Dieppe. In April we commemorated the 100th anniversary of Vimy. And this November we reach the 100th anniversary of Passchendaele.

The selfless service of Canadian Armed Forces members during times of war, conflict and peace have helped define and shape our country. Indeed, throughout our country’s history, Canadian men and women have bravely fought tyranny and evil around the world, defending our country, our values and our way of life.
During the First World War, more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served overseas, while thousands more trained in preparation to join them, and hundreds of thousands of other Canadians worked on the home front to support the war effort.

In places like Dieppe, Vimy and Passchendale, entire generations sacrificed to defend freedom, peace and democracy and ultimately established Canada as an independent force on the global stage.

Later in Korea and most recently in places like Afghanistan and Northern Iraq, Canada’s long and proud history of fighting for what is principled and just has continued.
We are eternally grateful for Canada’s Veterans who, at great personal cost defend our freedoms. On Remembrance Day, let us reflect on these freedoms and renew our determination to never forget the legacy and tremendous sacrifices of Canada’s Veterans.

This Remembrance Day, please join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to Canada’s Veterans.

Lest we forget.

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 2.3 million Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 118,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. The battle raged in Belgium in the summer and fall of 1917. The Canadian Corps joined the fighting there in October and would overcome almost unimaginable hardships to triumph on a brutal and muddy battlefield. This victory only came at a high price, however, as over 4,000 Canadian soldiers lost their lives and almost 12,000 more were wounded. To learn more about the Battle of Passchendaele, visit: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/first-world-war/passchendaele