Remembrance Day Petition

For Immediate Release

Over the past several years, discussions have been held by politicians, legion members and the general public about the value of Remembrance Day and its observance around the country. There has been the opinion that it is no longer relevant. But now, with our Canadian troops in Afghanistan and many losing their lives, Remembrance Day takes on new meaning and an online petition is calling for politicians to recognize the troops’ contribution by making Remembrance Day a statutory holiday.

The burgeoning petition website allows people to express their opinions and put issues on the table in a way not available in the past. The petition to make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday takes advantage of an petition site to make the opportunity to sign more available than ever.

“It isn’t just about having the petition online but getting people to know it is there,” said Robbin MacQueen, author of the petition. “It all started with Army.ca, a website for discussion about the military. There are constant discussions about the conflict in Afghanistan and how the Canadian public doesn’t understand. It really brought the concept of Remembrance Day front and centre, each and every time one of our soldiers died.”

Provinces each have their own rulings on whether Remembrance Day is a holiday.

“That’s one of the reasons for the petition as well,” he stated. “If the federal government made the ruling, the practice of observing Remembrance Day would be consistent across the country.”

Using online technology allows for people in remote areas to get their opinions heard. The petition has been signed by people all across the country and in all walks of life.

“But more signatures are needed,” expressed MacQueen. “The more people who believe Remembrance Day should be remembered appropriately, the more the politicians will have to listen.”

MacQueen recognizes that one of the barriers to adding a statutory holiday to our calendar is the affect on business. Business owners do not want another day where they have to close shop and their workers stay home. As well, MacQueen has been challenged that people would not actually attend ceremonies but instead use the time to relax and “hang out”.

“Sure, I’ve been challenged by people who think no one would use the holiday to actually observe Remembrance Day, to actually think about our men and women in combat and those who laid down their lives before them,” he added. “But under that philosophy we might just as well cancel Christmas and Canada Day. Not everyone celebrates them for the reasons or in the ways they historically have been intended. But for those that do, it is worthwhile.”

To view the petition, visit www.petitiononline.com/nov11th/petition.html

Robbin MacQueen