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1.0 Introduction

1.0 Introduction

Veterans Affairs Canada's (VAC’s) mandate is to support the well-being of Veterans and their families, and to promote recognition and remembrance of the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace. VAC’s Commemoration Division pays tribute to the achievements and sacrifices made by those who served Canada and promotes an understanding of the significance of these efforts in Canadian life as we know it today. It consists of two overarching programs: the Canada Remembers Program and the Funeral and Burial Program. Sub-components of the Canada Remembers Program include:

  • Cemetery and Grave Marker Maintenance Program;
  • Commemorative Partnership Program;
  • Commemorative Ceremonies and Events;
  • Honours and Awards Program;
  • Learning and Public Information; and
  • Memorials (including European Operations).

Four goals for the Commemoration Division are set in the department’s 2020-2030 Strategic Plan for Commemoration, which is yet to be finalized:

  1. Help Canadians understand how those who served our country have helped advance peace and security around the world.
  2. Inspire Canadians to actively recognize the service and sacrifices of all who have served our country in uniform.
  3. Preserve and maintain Government of Canada memorials, including the Books of Remembrance and Veteran grave markers in a sustainable and dignified way.
  4. Align departmental resources to better serve Canadians.

This evaluation looked at VAC’s commitment to support recognition and remembrance through the Commemorative Partnership Program, Commemorative Ceremonies and Events, Learning and Public Information, and Memorials. An evaluation of the Funeral and Burial Program and the Cemetery and Grave Marker Maintenance Program was completed in March 2022.

1.1 Overview of the Canada Remembers Program

1.1.1 Commemorative Partnership Program

Through the Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP), VAC provides grantsFootnote 2 and Footnote 3 to support community and third-party organizations as they carry out remembrance initiatives. CPP has two components:

  • Community Engagement (CE) funds organizations to create and manage remembrance projects, events and initiatives or to develop commemorative materials; and
  • Community War Memorial (CWM) provides funds for the construction, restoration or expansion of a community war memorial.

Funding is available to non-profit and for-profit organizations, in Canada or abroad, as well as to Canadian provinces, territories and municipalities. To qualify, the project must commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada post-Confederation (post-1867). The Commemorative Partnership Program typically funds more than 200 projects every year. However, in 2020-21, due to the COVID-19 pandemic 158 projects were funded.

1.1.2 Commemorative ceremonies and events

VAC organizes both in-person and virtual ceremonies and events throughout the year within Canada and internationally. These include formal significant military milestones, Veterans Week, and smaller community partnered events in Canada and internationally. In 2019-20 there were 82 international events and 356 events in Canada. VAC works closely with not-for profit, quasi-governmental and international organizations (foreign, regional and local government institutions) on commemorative events, including Veterans Week events and other commemorative initiatives.Footnote 4

1.1.3 Learning and public information

VAC engages school aged children, youth, educators, and the general public through learning and public information resources. These include Veterans’ Week print and online materials. Canadian teachers can order print materials for their classrooms that include lesson plans. As well, resources can be found on the VAC website, and VAC social media channels. The VAC website features an online home learning space that includes lesson plans, and an online library featuring personal recollections of those who served (Heroes Remember).

1.1.4 Memorials (including European Operations)

VAC is responsible for 14 overseas battlefield memorials in Europe (nine in France, four in Belgium and one in the United Kingdom) that commemorate the sacrifices and achievements of Canadians and Newfoundlanders from the First and Second World Wars (see Appendix A). Among these are two National Historic Sites of significance outside of Canada: the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, both of which are located in France. The Commemoration Division’s European Operations directorate oversees day-to-day operations, maintenance, conservation, real property management and overall visitor experience for the 14 sites. VAC delivers its overseas responsibilities through rotational assignments of Government of Canada employees and Canadian student guides. The guides provide interpretative programming to visitors both in-person and virtually about Canadian military history, points of interest in the region including the preserved battlefields, trenches, underground tunnels and monuments.

VAC is also responsible for updating and maintaining the Books of RemembranceFootnote 5 (located in the Peace Tower in Ottawa) and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (an online searchable version of the Books of Remembrance providing the ability to access or contribute information about each person). In addition, VAC is a key partner in the creation of new memorials, such as the National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan that is under development.

 
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