A solemn ceremony at Ottawa's National War Memorial, where a Canadian soldier was shot dead only weeks ago, was the focus of Canada's day of reflection for those killed in war.
The Oct. 22 death of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, and the killing of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent in Quebec two days earlier, brought renewed attention on this year's Remembrance Day ceremonies, which mark 100 years since hostilities were declared in the First World War.
Read the full text of Governor-General David Johnston's Remembrance Day speech in Ottawa.
SLAIN SOLDIERS: DOES THIS YEAR MATTER MORE?
A large crowd turned out to Tuesday's event in Ottawa, where security has been ramped up since the attacks on two soldiers on Canadian soil.
- Opinion: Cpl. Cirillo’s death has brought special significance to Remembrance Day by shifting focus from long-ago battles in distant countries to a tragedy at home, journalist Richard Foot argues
- Your say: Is this Remembrance Day more significant for you? Vote in our poll
THE FALLEN: STORIES OF CANADA'S WAR DEAD
Close to 61,000 Canadians died in the First World War, and 45,000 in the second. Here are the stories of a few of the men and women who returned home.
- Answering the call: Dave McGinn speaks to five Canadians about how they joined the war effort seven decades ago
- Hockey heroes: A Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit honours stars who served in the First World War
- Sure shots: Aboriginal soldiers were among the First World War’s top snipers, but one who came home was disappointed at the prejudice he found there
THE MEMORIALS: WHY THE MONUMENTS MATTER
When Ottawa's National War Memorial was unveiled in 1939, King George VI proclaimed it "the spontaneous response of the nation's conscience. The very soul of the nation is here revealed." But Ottawa's is one of many monuments to Canada's war dead.
- What monuments mean: John Allemang writes on the changing cultural significance of cenotaphs from the First World War to today
- Where the monuments are: John Allemang on five of Canada’s major cenotaphs
- What’s different this year: Read Ann Hui’s report on the Ottawa monument in the aftermath of the Ottawa shooting
THE SYMBOLS: POPPIES AND POETRY
Inspired on the battlefields of Ypres, Canadian John McCrae created one of Remembrance Day's enduring symbols, the poem In Flanders Fields, which turns 100 next year.
- A sea of poppies: Sarah Hampson writes about the moving power of a First World War memorial exhibit at the Tower of London
- Poetry in motion: Gerald Caplan on the unintended prescience of In Flanders Fields for today’s Canada
- A surge in symbolism: Read Tristan Simpson’s report on this year’s soaring demand for Remembrance Day poppies
SHOULD REMEMBRANCE DAY BE A HOLIDAY?
Bill C-597, introduced by NDP MP Dan Harris, proposes to make Nov. 11 a national statutory holiday. It passed second reading in the House of Commons on Nov. 5.
- The legislation: Read more about Bill C-597
- Editorial: A Nov. 11 national holiday makes sense
PAST AND FUTURE: CANADA'S ROLE IN GLOBAL CONFLICT
The war memorial in Ottawa was rededicated on Tuesday to honour all who have fallen in the service of Canada, including the Afghan mission and the Boer War. Shifting the focus from long-ago conflicts to more recent ones has stirred debate over Canada's role in global conflicts and how best to honour soldiers in the future.
- The past: Lawrence Martin reflects on the Boer War and the history of Canada's customs for honouring veterans
- The future: Roméo Dallaire and Dr. Shelly Whitman argue that Canada needs to "reclaim our position as innovators in resolving conflicts"