Every day, and especially around Remembrance Day, Canadians pause to recognize the people who have worn the uniform, served our country, and carried the weight of that service long after coming home.

At PURPLEFARM, we want to say this as clearly as possible: thank you to all Canadian veterans and active service members. Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to service are at the heart of the freedoms we enjoy today.

For some veterans, the journey doesn’t end when their service does. Many continue to navigate physiEvery day, and especially on Remembrance Day, Canadians pause to honour the people who have worn the uniform, served our country, and carried the weight of that service long after coming home.

At PURPLEFARM, we want to say this as clearly as possible: thank you to all Canadian veterans and active service members. Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to service are at the heart of the freedoms we enjoy today.

For many veterans, the journey does not end when their service does. Life after service can include ongoing physical and mental health challenges, as well as the everyday realities of returning to civilian life. Medical cannabis is one tool among many that some veterans and their health care providers choose to explore as part of a broader, personalized care plan.
Through our partnership with Mendo Medical, we work together to help eligible veterans access high-quality medical cannabis with compassionate support, a streamlined registration process, and direct billing options through Veterans Affairs Canada where applicable.

A Brief History

Remembrance Day traces its origins to the end of the First World War. Canada first observed Armistice Day in 1919 to mark the armistice that took effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, and to honour the more than 60,000 Canadians who gave their lives in that conflict. From 1921 to 1930, the holiday was observed on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell and was paired with Thanksgiving, but this arrangement proved unpopular.

In 1931, Parliament moved Thanksgiving to a different date, fixed the observance permanently on November 11, and renamed it Remembrance Day. Over time, its meaning has grown from marking the end of the First World War to recognizing all who have served and sacrificed in later conflicts, peacekeeping missions, and humanitarian operations.

Today, Remembrance Day is observed in communities, schools, workplaces, Legion halls, and homes across Canada. At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Canadians are invited to pause for two minutes of silence. This shared moment of quiet reflection marks the exact hour when the guns fell silent in 1918 and offers space to remember those who died, those who returned changed, and those who continue to serve. The sound of the Last Post, the reading of the Act of Remembrance, and the laying of wreaths have become familiar traditions that connect generations.

The Poppy and Its Meaning

The red poppy has become Canada’s most recognizable symbol of remembrance. Inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, written by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae in 1915, the poppy represents both the sacrifice of war and the hope of new growth. Canadians wear poppies from late October until November 11 to honour those who served, support veterans and their families through donations, and encourage reflection and gratitude. The poppy connects Canadians across regions and generations in a shared tradition rooted in compassion, memory, and respect.

How Remembrance Day Is Marked Across Canada

Across the country, every region marks Remembrance Day in its own meaningful way. In British Columbia, ceremonies often include wreath-layings, parades, and flyovers. Alberta communities host services featuring military contingents, Indigenous veterans, and choirs. In Ontario, the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at Ottawa’s National War Memorial draws nationwide attention, while smaller communities gather at local cenotaphs. Quebec holds bilingual services in Montreal and Québec City. In Atlantic and northern provinces, ceremonies take place at cenotaphs, schools, and community halls, often incorporating local culture and youth participation.

Why Remembrance Day Matters?

These varied observances all share a common purpose: to honour service and sacrifice and to reaffirm Canada’s dedication to peace, democracy, and responsible global citizenship.

Remembrance Day remains a defining tradition for Canadians. It gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the courage of those who served, support those who continue to serve, and teach future generations about the responsibility that comes with freedom. From coast to coast to coast, our shared observance reflects the strength of a country committed to peace, gratitude, and collective remembrance.

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