11/11/2025
November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day and November 11 is Remembrance Day.
Both days call us to โrespect, reflect and rememberโ. We honour the more than 100,000 fallen during World War 1 and World War 2, reflect on the impact of armed conflict, and pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our country. Recently, there has been more public recognition of the role of women, Black Canadians, Chinese Canadians, Indigenous people, and Jewish Canadians in Canadaโs war efforts. This recognition paints a fuller picture of the contributions and sacrifices made collectively by those overseas and at home.
As public health professionals we also reflect on the public heath impacts of the world wars, as well as those that continue to rage worldwide. Deaths and injuries on battlefields, the displacement of populations, the breakdown of health and social services, psychological trauma, and the heightened risk of disease transmission ... these tragic consequences impact the work we do in many ways.
According to the Geneva Academy, there are more than 110 armed conflicts occurring across the world right now. In honour of Remembrance Day, we wish the relative peace and safety we enjoy on Canadian soil for all.
