Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week Act, 2024

S.o. 2016, chapter 21

Consolidation Period:  From November 19, 2024 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3.

Legislative History: 2021, c. 33; 2023, c. 14; 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3.

Preamble

Remembrance Day commemorates the armistice signed to end the First World War at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918, being the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of that year.

The people of Ontario must never forget the extraordinary courage and profound sacrifice made by the men and women who bravely and unselfishly gave their lives for and served Canada in times of war and in peace.

As a gesture of respect for them, it is appropriate to proclaim the week preceding Remembrance Day in each year as Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week to recognize veterans and to honour the memory of those who gave their lives by observing two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day itself.

Poppies are worn during Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week as a symbol of remembrance, appreciation and respect.

Veterans deserve to be treated with respect and any act that disrespects veterans should be condemned, including committing the act of stolen valour.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2021, c. 33, s. 1 - 09/11/2021

2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 2 - 19/11/2024

Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week

1 The seven-day period in each year that begins on November 5 and ends at the end of November 11 is proclaimed as Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week. 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 3.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 3 - 19/11/2024

Remembrance Day observance

2 (1) Subject to subsection (2), at 11 a.m. on each Remembrance Day, the people of Ontario shall pause and observe two minutes of silence in honour of those who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts.

Voluntary compliance

(2) The silence can only be achieved through voluntary observance and through our collective desire to remember.

Suggestions for observing the silence

(3) The following are suggestions for ways to promote the observance of the silence:

1.  We can participate in a traditional Remembrance Day service at a war memorial or cenotaph.

2.  If driving, we can pull our vehicles to the side of the road and sit quietly.

3.  We can announce the silence on the public address systems of our places of business and of our institutions.

4.  We can gather in common areas of our places of business and of our institutions.

5.  We can briefly shut down our assembly lines.

6.  We can hold Remembrance Day assemblies in our schools, colleges and universities.

7.  We can hold Remembrance Day services in our places of worship.

Right to wear a poppy

3 (1) Every worker in Ontario has the right to wear a poppy in the workplace during Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week. 2021, c. 33, s. 2; 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 4.

Same, limit

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the wearing of a poppy may pose a danger or hazard to the health, safety or welfare of any person. 2021, c. 33, s. 2.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2021, c. 33, s. 2 - 09/11/2021

2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 4 - 19/11/2024

Moment of silence, Legislative Assembly

4 (1) On the last sessional day before Remembrance Day in each year, immediately after Introduction of Visitors during the Morning Routine,

(a)  the members of the Legislative Assembly shall pause and observe two minutes of silence in honour of those who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts; and

(b)  following the two minutes of silence, members are permitted to give speeches for 15 minutes, with five minutes allotted to the party recognized as the Official Opposition, five minutes allotted to the recognized party from which the Government is chosen and five minutes allotted to any other recognized parties and independent members as a group. 2023, c. 14, s. 1.

Definition

(2) In this section,

“recognized party” has the same meaning as in subsection 62 (5) of the Legislative Assembly Act. 2023, c. 14, s. 1.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2023, c. 14, s. 1 - 26/10/2023

Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week observance

Suggestions for honouring veterans

5 The following are suggestions for ways to honour veterans during Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week:

1.  Attending or volunteering at a remembrance or veteran appreciation event.

2.  Visiting a war museum, memorial or cenotaph.

3.  Learning about the contributions of veterans across Ontario.

4.  Inviting a veteran as a guest speaker to an event to honour and recognize their contributions.

5.  Carrying out acts of appreciation to honour veterans.

6.  Supporting campaigns that honour veterans.

7.  Contributing to the upkeep of a memorial or cenotaph. 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 5.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 19/11/2024

Recognition

6 (1) The Minister may honour veterans through various recognition efforts, including by bestowing awards. 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 5.

Definition

(2) In this section,

“Minister” means the member of the Executive Council to whom responsibility for the administration of this Act is assigned or transferred under the Executive Council Act. 2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 5.

Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y)

2024, c. 22, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 19/11/2024