3.0 Overview – Veterans Affairs Canada, Commemoration Division

Commemoration Division responsibilities by unit are identified below (as of September 30, 2017).

Commemorations Operations -

responsible for the planning and execution of commemorative ceremonies and events, both in-Canada and overseas; provides funding through the Commemorative Partnership Program to communities and organizations undertaking remembrance initiatives; responsible for honours and awards, the Books of Remembrance, cemetery and grave maintenance, and the Funeral and Burial Program.

European Operations -

represents VAC in Europe on all matters that affect the commemoration of Canada’s war dead and the contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces in times of peace and war; oversees the day-to-day operations and maintenance of 14 Canadian war memorials (including asset and facilities management); conducts ceremonial and remembrance activities; provides memorial interpretation and visitor information; manages VAC’s Student Guide Program; and works to preserve the cultural integrity of Canadian memorial sites.

Learning and Special Projects -

responsible for learning, digitization, and distribution; provides resources for the classroom and general public in print form, digitally (on-line), and in other formats to encourage youth, educators, and the general public to become engaged in remembrance-related activities and learn more about Canada's military history; maintains partnerships both inside and outside the department with respect to cultural/creative initiatives; maintains the Canadian Virtual War Memorial, the National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials, and the Heroes Remember video collection.

Policy and Planning -

responsible for policy development for the Canada Remembers Program and the Funeral and Burial Program; undertakes research projects, including public opinion research; manages new memorial projects; leads division business planning; produces division input for departmental results reports, department plans, and corporate risk profiles; develops, in consultation with division management, service standards, program information profiles, and strategic reports.

Correspondence Unit -

responsible for responding to all public enquiries pertaining to commemoration.