“Today, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause solemnly to reflect and salute the heroic contributions that thousands of Canadian soldiers have made in war to secure the freedom and prosperity our country enjoys.

“In the battle-scarred fields of the First World War, bright poppies bloomed among the graves of the fallen. Many returned wounded and scarred – or never returned at all. We lost more than 65,000 brave Canadians in the First World War and more than 50,000 in conflicts since.

“These flowers and our thoughts are a modest remembrance of their sacrifice. We must be intentional in remembering and honouring their sacrifice.

“Please pause and take some time to remember our brave men and women who have served and who have died in the duty of protecting our freedom.”