November 11, 2021 marks the 100e anniversary of Remembrance Day in Canada. Since 1921, Canadians have gathered to honor the memory of the women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives or their physical or mental integrity, in the name of an ideal: Canada. It is this individual commitment which, throughout our history, has made it possible to preserve the values and rights which are dear to us: democracy, peace, security and civil liberties.
Historically, the dedication and commitment of the Canadian Armed Forces has been associated almost exclusively with conflicts abroad, from World War I to Afghanistan. In recent years, the people of Canada have seen the importance of an intervention force to deal with domestic emergencies: the 1998 ice storm in Quebec, floods and forest fires throughout. the country and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. These crises have seen members of the Canadian Armed Forces intervene and adapt their training to the contemporary needs of our communities.
It is to be expected that the coming years will be just as demanding. Climate change and mass demographic movements around the world are very likely to require the intervention of men and women who are trained, disciplined and ready to deal with these issues.
In this effort, they will again have to face dangerous situations and they will have to assume personal risks. Like their predecessors, they will take action individually, for our collective well-being.
Remembrance Day calls us to reverence in honor of the fallen and veterans still with us. This duty of memory must transcend the day of November 11. Civil society and, more specifically, our companies, must show our recognition in daily action.
Reintegration and sustainability
In my opinion, two observations are in order: first, we must support the reintegration of ex-combatants by offering them jobs suited to their skills and sometimes, accommodations that take medical limitations into account. Next, we must see to the sustainability of the intervention capability of the Canadian Armed Forces, by encouraging the participation of our personnel and of the young people who so desire in the Reserve forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. In doing so, our companies benefit from a workforce trained in different trades and disciplines, and our communities find among them those who might one day be called upon to serve them.
That is why, on November 11, as we pay tribute to our veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces, we can also pledge our recognition through employment and participation in the Reserves. Thus, this Remembrance Day can also bring hope for a forever democratic, peaceful, safe and free Canada.
* Yves Desjardins-Siciliano is Chief Executive Officer at Siemens Mobility Canada.
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