1st Session, 36th Parliament,
46 Elizabeth II, 1997

The House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-279

An Act to promote the observance of two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day

WHEREAS the people of Canada are forever grateful to the many dedicated men and women who bravely and unselfishly gave their lives for Canada in wars and in peacekeeping efforts;

AND WHEREAS their extraordinary courage and profound sacrifice must never be forgotten by us or future generations;

AND WHEREAS, as a gesture of its respect for these men and women, the federal government wishes to honour their memory by promoting throughout Canada the observance of two minutes of silence each Remembrance Day,

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Observance of Two Minutes of Silence on Remembrance Day Act.

TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE

Two minutes of silence

2. The people of Canada are invited to pause and observe two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. on each Remembrance Day to honour the men and women who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts.

Suggestions

3. The following are suggested as ways in which the people of Canada could promote the pause and observance of the two minutes of silence:

    (a) they could participate in a traditional Remembrance Day service at a war memorial or cenotaph;

    (b) if they are driving, they could stop their vehicles along the side of the road and sit quietly for two minutes, where this is allowed and where it does not endanger the driver of the vehicle or others;

    (c) they could gather in common areas in their workplaces to observe the two minutes of silence together;

    (d) where possible, assembly lines could be shut down in factories for two minutes;

    (e) Remembrance Day assemblies could be held in schools, colleges and universities; and

    (f) Remembrance Day services could be held in places of worship.