A recent Ipsos survey indicates that Canadians are more committed than ever to attending official Remembrance Day services this year, with 37% expressing their intention to participate, a significant increase from the pre-pandemic levels of 29% in 2017 and 26% in 2016.
Despite this, the survey, conducted on behalf of Historica Canada, found that fewer Canadians believe it’s important to attend a ceremony – dropping from 41% in 2017 to 32% in the current poll.
Wearing poppies, a long-standing tradition to honor veterans, remains a significant gesture, with 72% of Canadians planning to wear one this year. However, this number has dipped from 77% in 2016 and 2017.
Regional variations are also more evident, with Ontario (80%) and British Columbia (86%) residents more likely to wear poppies than those in Quebec (44%).
The poll also highlights a divide in perceptions regarding modern veterans compared to those of the Second World War.
While 82% of Canadians still view Remembrance Day as relevant today as it was during its inception after the First World War, 52% believe that modern veterans are not held in the same regard as their Second World War counterparts.
This view is particularly pronounced among millennials, with 52% agreeing compared to 42% of baby boomers.
Additionally, the poll reveals a generational gap in how Canadians perceive young people’s understanding of veterans and Canadian war history. 51% believe that Canada’s youth do a commendable job of honoring veterans, with younger adults expressing this sentiment more strongly.
Similarly, 41% think that Canadians under 30 understand the sacrifices of those who have fought and died in wars, again with stronger agreement among the younger demographic.
The survey indicates that the awareness of the diminishing number of Second World War veterans alive today is driving interest in learning more about that era. Among those aged 18-34, 52% feel this way, compared to 45% of those aged 35-54 and 37% of those aged 55+.
The desire to speak to a Second World War veteran is also higher among the younger demographic, with 52% of those aged 18-34 expressing interest compared to 33% of those aged 55+.
