More than a century after the end of the First World War, Canadians from coast to coast continue to honour the profound sacrifice of the 118,000 service members who have given their lives in conflict since Confederation. As we pay our respects, it is equally vital to remember the core values and the nation they fought to protect.
The Origins of Remembrance Day
The tradition of remembrance began on November 11, 1918, at the 11th hour, when the Allies signed an armistice with Germany, silencing the guns of the Great War. A year later, King George V declared November 11 as Armistice Day across the British Empire, which included the Dominion of Canada.
In 1921, the poppy was officially adopted as the symbol of remembrance, a poignant choice inspired by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae's famous poem, "In Flanders Fields". This initiative was led by the Great War Veterans Association of Canada, the organization that would later become the Royal Canadian Legion.
A Legacy of Service Across Generations
In the early 20th century, most Canadians had a direct personal connection to the First World War, with a strong sense of British or French-Canadian identity. Today, military service can feel distant for many, yet the act of remembrance remains powerful and unifying.
On November 11, we honour those who fell not only in the trenches of the First World War, but also on the beaches of Normandy, in the skies over Britain, and in the fields of the Netherlands during the fight against the Nazis. We remember the Canadians who confronted tyranny in the jungles of Korea and in the more recent conflicts in the deserts of Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq.
These service members acted not for personal glory, but for their country. The "peace, order and good government" that Canadians often take for granted today was forged over centuries by the sacrifices of previous generations.
The Foundations of Canadian Liberty
The article traces the origins of Canada's democratic system back to pivotal moments in history. In 1642, when King Charles I challenged Parliament in London, Canada was a fledgling French colony. The English constitutional reforms that followed, which limited monarchical power and enhanced individual liberty, eventually migrated to Canadian shores.
This migration accelerated after France ceded its territories to Britain in 1763 and was solidified by the uprisings in Upper and Lower Canada in the 1830s. The resulting Durham Report recommended "responsible government", a system where the Crown's representatives govern only with the consent of elected officials. This principle was enshrined with Confederation in 1867, establishing the Canadian Parliament.
This system of government is a profound inheritance, deeply rooted in English liberty, and provides the framework for the rights and prosperity Canadians enjoy. The author urges vigilance against the erosion of this inheritance, whether through the desecration of national symbols or the stripping away of hard-won rights.
For many, the sacrifices of war are deeply personal, the legacy of a great-grandfather who never returned. For others, it is the nation forged by those sacrifices that welcomed them or their families, instilling a deep pride in being Canadian. On November 11, we honour the fallen and the country they fought for. Lest we forget.
