Veterans’ Week 2022

Honouring the service, courage and sacrifice of Canada’s military and Veteran community

Throughout the generations, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members have bravely served at home and around the world, on land, at sea and in the air, in pursuit of peace and freedom for all. Many paid the ultimate price for this ideal. Others returned home changed forever, with both visible and invisible wounds.

As we mark the start of Veterans’ Week 2022, we remember those who have sacrificed their lives in service to this country. We commemorate them by sharing their stories and experiences. We honour the Veterans who are still among us, including those who now live with post-traumatic stress and other physical, emotional and moral injuries as a result of their courageous service.

As well, we think of the military Families who have lost loved ones. We recognize the vital role Family members play in providing care and support to currently serving and former CAF members, and we honour them too.

This Veterans’ Week — and every day — we invite you to pause and reflect on the proud achievements and invaluable contributions these brave Canadians have made.

Commemorating key milestone anniversaries in 2022

This year includes several notable anniversaries for Canada’s military operations at home and abroad. Learn more about each of these historic events:

• 25th anniversary of the Red River Flood – May 1997
• 30th anniversary of the beginning of peace support efforts in the Balkans – beginning April 1992
• 70th anniversary of the Battle of Hill 355 during the Korean War – November 22–25, 1951
• 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid – August 19, 1942
• 105th anniversary of the Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele battles:
  • Battle of Vimy Ridge – April 9–12, 1917
  • Passchendaele – October 1917

A few ways to observe Veterans’ Week

• Ways to remember: From watching, listening to and reading Veteran stories, to organizing and attending commemorative events in your community, this article shares various ideas for actively participating in remembering the sacrifices and achievements of the Canadians who served and continue to serve our country at home and abroad.
• Military history resources: Explore Canada’s proud military history by visiting one of Canada’s military and aviation museums, downloading educational resources, or browsing online exhibits and photo galleries.
• Indigenous Veterans Day: On November 8, join in honouring and giving thanks for the service and legacy of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Veterans.
• Remembrance Day ceremonies: On Remembrance Day, November 11, attend the 2022 National Remembrance Day Ceremony in person at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, or watch the ceremony live on TV or online. You can also find the closest local Remembrance Day ceremony in your community using the Royal Canadian Legion’s event locator tool.

Support is available

Veterans’ Week is the start of a season that can be challenging for some Veterans and Veteran Family members. Here are some resources that are available for Veterans and Families:

• Directory of services: List of resources and supports for military members, Veterans, and their Families, including links to crisis services, counselling and therapy, educational tools and peer support.
• Coping with the holidays resource: This downloadable PDF shares some tips to help Veterans and Veteran Family members reduce the stress of the holiday season.

On Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the almost 15,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples who have served or are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Read our latest blog post to learn about an initiative to ensure that every Indigenous Veteran’s burial place is located and honoured with a special marker.