Bill C-209 establishes September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in Canada. The legislation, championed by the Canadian Coalition Against Terror (C-CAT), recognizes both the tragedy of 9/11 and the acts of kindness and solidarity that followed. The bill designates the day for community service initiatives across Canada while also commemorating Canada’s losses in Afghanistan with an annual memorial ceremony at Beechwood Cemetery.
Unlike other Western nations, Canada previously lacked a formal national recognition of 9/11. C-CAT, a non-partisan advocacy group composed of terror victims and counterterrorism experts, spearheaded the effort, emphasizing the importance of both remembrance and service as part of the nation’s response to terrorism.
Maureen Basnicki, Secure Canada Co-Founder
Bill C-209 successfully passed into law on June 8, 2021, ensuring that September 11th is officially recognized as a National Day of Service in Canada.