Remembrance Day Honors Dwindling Number of WWII Veterans

As November 11, 2025 approaches, Canada commemorates Remembrance Day, marking 80 years since the conclusion of the Second World War. The day serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the conflict; however, the number of surviving veterans has significantly declined, with only a few thousand still living.

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are currently 3,691 living Canadian veterans from the Second World War, comprising 667 women and 3,024 men. In addition, the number of veterans from the Korean War is estimated at 1,909. Previously, the government reported a combined total of approximately 7,300 veterans from both wars, but recent data now separates these figures.

Transitioning from Living History

The rapid decline in living veterans signifies a shift from firsthand accounts of the war to a historical narrative. Jeff Noakes, a historian at the Canadian War Museum, noted, “The events of the Second World War are very rapidly moving from the realm of lived history of people you can talk to about these events into history, where you can’t talk to the people who remember them.”

As the years pass, the stories of those who fought in significant battles, like the D-Day landings in Normandy, face the risk of fading. The experiences of returning home to a nation grappling with economic uncertainty and housing shortages are crucial narratives that are becoming less accessible.

Many Canadians lived through hardships during the war, including rationing and restrictions imposed under the War Measures Act, which targeted Japanese, Italian, and other Canadians deemed a threat at the time. The Canadian War Museum has made efforts to preserve these stories through its exhibition titled “Last Voices of the Second World War,” featuring interviews with some of the last remaining veterans and their families. The exhibition is on display in the national capital until January 18, 2026.

National Ceremonies and Commemorations

This year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies will be particularly significant as Chief Justice Richard Wagner steps in for Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who is recovering from a respiratory virus. The ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa will also see attendance from Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan, and Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight.

During the event, Nancy Payne, the National Silver Cross Mother whose son was killed in Afghanistan in 2006, will lay a wreath on behalf of mothers who lost their children in military service. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the entombment of Canada’s Unknown Soldier, a tribute to the over 118,000 Canadians who have sacrificed their lives for their country.

The federal government intends to highlight the contributions of the Canadian military throughout the Americas during this Remembrance Day. In a recent statement to the Senate, Lt.-Col. Carl Gauthier emphasized the military’s role in providing support during domestic crises, saying, “Canada’s veterans have always been there for us and for our neighbours, from floods in the Prairies, to storms in the Maritimes, to rescues at sea, the Halifax explosion and earthquakes in Haiti.”

As this significant anniversary approaches, Canadians are encouraged to reflect on the sacrifices made during the Second World War and to honor the memories of the veterans who bravely served their country.