Toronto — A strong majority of Canadians favour breaking with tradition by giving the last veteran of the First World War a state funeral, a new poll suggests.
The poll, done for the Dominion Institute and being released on Saturday to coincide with Remembrance Day, indicates that even Quebeckers like the idea.
“The offer of a state funeral would be symbolic,” said Rudyard Griffiths, executive director of the institute.
“Not only is it commemorating the passing of the last living link to Canada's struggle in the mud and blood of Flanders Field, but it is also honouring and showing maximum respect for all of those that served.”
Jessica Holden, 17, stands sentry at one end of a trench at a farm that has been transformed into a living war museum complete with trenches and tunnels, near Tillsonburg, Ont. (Dave Chidley/CP)
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Mr. Griffiths said he was especially pleased to see the level of support in Quebec, given that Quebeckers are often less supportive when it comes to issues of Canada's military heritage.
While the federal government has said it plans to mark the passing of the last vet by honouring all vets, it has not provided details.
State funerals rank among the highest honour the country can bestow on a person. Traditionally, they have been the preserve of prime ministers and governors general.
With only three surviving veterans — Percy Wilson, 105, and Lloyd Clemett and John Babcock, both 106 — the institute says it's time to rethink that approach.
“The passing of the last of the last Great War veteran is a watershed moment in our country's history,” said Griffiths.
“If there ever was a time for Canada and Canadians to be bold and generous in commemoration of our history, in commemoration of our shared values, surely the passing of the last Great War veteran is that moment.”
The poll indicates that three in four Canadians approve of a state funeral when the last veteran passes on.
Regionally, Atlantic Canadians are the strongest supporters of a full state funeral — with 82 per cent in favour.
Even in Quebec, 69 per cent support the option, the same ratio as in British Columbia.
Other provinces, including Alberta and Ontario, were more in line with the national average of 74 per cent.
The institute also said the response to its online petition pushing the idea has been overwhelming.
As of Friday, 30,000 people had signed, with as many leaving comments.
“Please give these men and women the dignity and respect that they deserve,” Pia Augello of Hamilton wrote.
“If it wasn't for them we wouldn't have what we have today.”
Liberal leadership contender Bob Rae is among those saying he supported the push for a state funeral.
In other poll results, 64 per cent of respondents said they would back a national day of mourning when the last veteran dies.
Also, only 27 per cent of those surveyed said they opposed any kind of special commemoration.
More than 600,000 Canadians served in the First World War and 60,000 of those were killed.
The poll of 1,013 Canadians was done by Innovative Research Group Oct. 26-31 and is said to be accurate within 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
