Remembrance Day Observance Act, 1997

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill declares that the people of Ontario will observe two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m. on Remembrance Day in honour of those who died in war and on peacekeeping missions. Its purposes are to be achieved through voluntary observance and through our collective desire to remember. The Bill sets out a number of suggestions for promoting the observance of the silence.

Bill 1121997

An Act to observe two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day

We, the people of Ontario, 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.

Their extraordinary courage and profound sacrifice must never be forgotten by us or future generations.

As a gesture of our respect for these men and women, we seek to unite in honouring their memories by observing two minutes of silence each Remembrance Day.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Two minutes of silence

1. It is hereby declared that at 11:00 a.m. on each Remembrance Day, the people of Ontario shall pause and observe two minutes of silence in honour of those who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts.

Voluntary compliance

2. The purposes of this Act can only be achieved through voluntary observance and through our collective desire to remember.

Suggestions for observing the silence

3. The following are suggested as ways in which we may promote the observance of the silence:

1. We can participate in a traditional Remembrance Day service at a war memorial or cenotaph.

2. We can, if driving, pull our vehicles to the side of the road and sit quietly.

3. We can announce the silence on the public address systems of our places of business and of our institutions.

4. We can gather in common areas of our places of business and of our institutions.

5. We can briefly shut down our assembly lines.

6. We can hold Remembrance Day assemblies in our schools, colleges and universities.

7. We can hold Remembrance Day services in our places of worship.

Commencement

4. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

5. The short title of this Act is the Remembrance Day Observance Act, 1997.