Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans' Week 2020: Survey of Canadians - Text Description
Figure 1: Awareness of Veterans' Week
| |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2014 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2008 |
| % who have heard of Veterans' Week |
57% |
54% |
55% |
55% |
55% |
57% |
58% |
66% |
65% |
54% |
Return to Figure 1
Figure 2: Importance of Veterans' Week
| Year |
Very important |
Moderately |
Neither |
Not very |
Not important at all |
| 2020 |
66% |
21% |
8% |
2% |
2% |
| 2019 |
71% |
16% |
9% |
1% |
3% |
| 2018 |
68% |
19% |
10% |
1% |
2% |
| 2017 |
68% |
20% |
8% |
1% |
1% |
| 2016 |
69% |
19% |
8% |
1% |
2% |
| 2014 |
64% |
21% |
8% |
3% |
3% |
| 2012 |
64% |
20% |
10% |
3% |
3% |
| 2011 |
65% |
20% |
10% |
2% |
2% |
| 2010 |
59% |
16% |
16% |
3% |
4% |
Return to Figure 2
Figure 3: Reasons Why Veterans' Week Is Important [Over Time]
| |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2014 |
2012 |
2011 |
| Focus on personal connections |
8% |
9% |
8% |
9% |
11% |
7% |
10% |
11% |
| Focus on history/remembrance |
39% |
41% |
39% |
52% |
50% |
41% |
40% |
47% |
| Honour Veterans/Veterans have earned respect |
76% |
74% |
74% |
65% |
69% |
69% |
69% |
65% |
Return to Figure 3
Figure 4: Reasons Why Veterans' Week Is Important [All Responses]
| Honour Veterans / Veterans Have Earned Respect |
| To honour / to respect the Veterans / those who died in service |
43% |
| To recognize their contribution to our freedom / security / peace |
23% |
| Veterans fought for our country / they served our country |
12% |
| To recognize their service / accomplishments |
10% |
| Canada would not be the country it is today / I would not be here if it were not for Veterans |
3% |
| We owe them / they deserve recognition |
2% |
| Focus on History / Remembrance |
| So people will remember their sacrifices |
20% |
| Part of our heritage / our history |
3% |
| So children can understand / learn the importance of it |
3% |
| Good idea / good to remember |
3% |
| Should not / cannot forget |
1% |
| So we do not repeat past mistakes |
1% |
| Many soldiers died in past wars |
1% |
| Focus on Personal Connections |
| Family member is a Veteran / I am a Veteran |
8% |
| Other Reasons |
| Believe in it / it is important to do it |
3% |
| To show support for our troops (past and / or present) |
1% |
Return to Figure 4
Figure 5: Reasons Why Canadians View Veterans' Week Neutrally
| Lack of Personal Resonance |
| Do not care / not important to me personally |
34% |
| Do not have family members who are Veterans / Do not know anyone in the military |
5% |
| Cost-Benefit Focus |
| We already have Remembrance Day / a week is too long |
15% |
| There are other issues / concerns that are more important |
6% |
| Lack of Information / Awareness |
| Never heard of it / Do not know about it |
13% |
| Do not know what activities there are for Veterans' Week |
2% |
| Wrong Focus on the Past |
| Happened in the past / we should focus on the present |
5% |
| Most Veterans have died / very few Veterans left |
5% |
| Pacifism |
| We should not celebrate war / we should focus on peace |
2% |
| COVID-19 |
| COVID-19 / the pandemic (general mentions) |
6% |
| Other |
| Should be a more private ceremony / held less often (so it is not overdone) |
4% |
Return to Figure 5
Figure 6: Participation in Veterans' Week
| 2020 |
72% |
| 2019 |
91% |
| 2018 |
92% |
| 2017 |
91% |
| 2016 |
88% |
| 2014 |
81% |
| 2012 |
76% |
| 2011 |
73% |
| 2010 |
36% |
| 2008 |
33% |
| 2007 |
34% |
| 2006 |
35% |
| 2002 |
31% |
49% of respondents who did not participate in Veterans' Week this year say was due to COVID-19 restrictions / they were uncomfortable participating in person due to COVID-19
Return to Figure 6
Figure 7: Reasons for Participating in Veterans' Week [Honour]
| 2020 |
48% |
| 2019 |
48% |
| 2018 |
48% |
| 2017 |
48% |
| 2016 |
46% |
| 2014 |
48% |
| 2012 |
41% |
| 2011 |
39% |
Honour Veterans/Veterans have earned respect
Return to Figure 7
Figure 8: Reasons for Participating in Veterans' Week [Personal Connections]
| 2020 |
35% |
| 2019 |
37% |
| 2018 |
33% |
| 2017 |
40% |
| 2016 |
32% |
| 2014 |
33% |
| 2012 |
34% |
| 2011 |
40% |
Focus on personal connections
Return to Figure 8
Figure 9: Reasons for Participating in Veterans' Week [History]
| 2020 |
12% |
| 2019 |
14% |
| 2018 |
16% |
| 2017 |
16% |
| 2016 |
18% |
| 2014 |
15% |
| 2012 |
17% |
| 2011 |
17% |
Focus on history/remembrance
Return to Figure 9
Figure 10: Reasons for Participating in Veterans' Week [Important/Believe]
| 2020 |
11% |
| 2019 |
15% |
| 2018 |
13% |
| 2017 |
10% |
| 2016 |
11% |
| 2014 |
13% |
| 2012 |
12% |
| 2011 |
12% |
Believe in it/it's important
Return to Figure 10
Figure 11: Reasons for Participating in Veterans' Week [All Responses]
| Honour Veterans / Veterans Earned Respect |
| To honour / to respect the Veterans / those who died in service |
40% |
| To recognize their contribution to our freedom / security / peace |
8% |
| To recognize their service / accomplishments |
5% |
| Veterans fought for our country / they served our country |
1% |
| Canada would not be the country it is if it were not for Veterans |
1% |
| Focus on Personal Connections |
| Family member is a Veteran / I am a Veteran |
25% |
| Know / am related to someone who is currently in the military / I am currently in the military |
8% |
| I / someone I know participates in events |
3% |
| Focus on History / Remembrance |
| So people will remember their sacrifices |
5% |
| So children can understand / learn the importance of it |
4% |
| Good idea / good to remember |
3% |
| Other |
| Believe in it / it is important to do it |
11% |
| Tradition / habit / we do it every year |
8% |
| To show support for our troops (past and/or present) |
5% |
| Show some (national) pride |
3% |
Return to Figure 11
Figure 12: Reasons for Not Participating in Veterans' Week [Lack of Knowledge]
| 2020 |
16% |
| 2019 |
25% |
| 2018 |
23% |
| 2017 |
26% |
| 2016 |
26% |
| 2014 |
30% |
| 2012 |
20% |
| 2011 |
18% |
Lack of Knowledge/Awareness
Return to Figure 12
Figure 13: Reasons for Not Participating in Veterans' Week [Practical Reasons]
| 2020 |
15% |
| 2019 |
49% |
| 2018 |
50% |
| 2017 |
50% |
| 2016 |
46% |
| 2014 |
45% |
| 2012 |
34% |
| 2011 |
49% |
Return to Figure 13
Figure 14: Reasons for Not Participating in Veterans' Week [Lack of Personal Resonance]
| 2020 |
12% |
| 2019 |
13% |
| 2018 |
11% |
| 2017 |
9% |
| 2016 |
15% |
| 2014 |
13% |
| 2012 |
24% |
| 2011 |
12% |
Return to Figure 14
Figure 15: Reasons for Not Participating in Veterans' Week [Lack of Opportunity]
| 2020 |
6% |
| 2019 |
9% |
| 2018 |
7% |
| 2017 |
10% |
| 2016 |
8% |
| 2014 |
6% |
| 2012 |
6% |
| 2011 |
11% |
No Opportunity to Participate
Return to Figure 15
Figure 16: Reasons for Not Participating in Veterans' Week [Participated in Other Ways]
| 2020 |
3% |
| 2019 |
2% |
| 2018 |
5% |
| 2017 |
3% |
| 2016 |
5% |
| 2014 |
2% |
| 2012 |
3% |
| 2011 |
8% |
Return to Figure 16
Figure 17: Reasons for Not Participating in Veterans' Week [All Responses]
| COVID-19 |
| COVID-19 restrictions in my area / uncomfortable participating in person due to COVID-19 |
49% |
| Lack of Knowledge / Awareness |
| Never heard of it / do not know about it |
14% |
| Do not know what activities there are for Veterans' Week |
2% |
| Practical Reasons |
| Too busy / no time to attend |
8% |
| Had to work / not available to participate |
5% |
| Cannot participate due to health reasons / age |
3% |
| Lack of Personal Resonance |
| Do not care / not important to me personally |
7% |
| Do not have family members who are Veterans / do not know anyone in the military |
5% |
| I am an immigrant |
1% |
| No Opportunity |
| There are no activities for Veterans' Week in the area |
4% |
| No occasion / opportunity / chance to participate |
2% |
| Participated in Other Ways |
| Participate in Remembrance Day events / observe Remembrance Day |
2% |
| Remember by wearing a poppy |
1% |
| Other |
| We should not celebrate war / we should focus on peace |
2% |
| Do not have family nearby |
1% |
| Other |
1% |
Return to Figure 17
Figure 18: Participation in Activities to Commemorate Veterans
| Wore a poppy |
72% |
| Observed a moment of silence |
69% |
| Watched a Remembrance Day 2020 ceremony on TV |
43% |
| Watched a virtual Remembrance Day ceremony |
40% |
| Participated in a remembrance activity on social media |
22% |
| Participated in a remembrance ceremony in community |
15% |
| Made an effort to remember Veterans and those who died in service outside of Veterans' Week |
55% |
Return to Figure 18
Figure 19: Participation in Veterans' Week Activities [Over Time]
| |
Wore a poppy |
Observed a moment of silence |
Watched Remembrance Day ceremony on TV* |
Participated in ceremony in community** |
Participated on social media* |
| 2020 |
72% |
69% |
43% |
15% |
22% |
| 2019 |
78% |
71% |
43% |
37% |
22% |
| 2018 |
82% |
72% |
46% |
38% |
20% |
| 2017 |
79% |
71% |
45% |
39% |
25% |
| 2016 |
83% |
|
45% |
38% |
29% |
| 2014 |
82% |
|
56% |
36% |
24% |
| 2012 |
79% |
|
50% |
35% |
18% |
| 2011 |
|
|
45% |
25% |
24% |
| 2010 |
|
|
51% |
34% |
21% |
| 2008 |
|
|
54% |
30% |
|
% who participated in activities
Return to Figure 19
Figure 20: Importance of Remembrance Initiatives
| |
Very important |
Somewhat |
Neutral |
Not very |
Not important at all |
| Providing educational materials for schools |
72% |
19% |
5% |
1% |
2% |
| Supporting and leading commemorative events in Canada* |
59% |
26% |
11% |
1% |
2% |
| Posting remembrance-related content on social media |
47% |
27% |
18% |
3% |
4% |
| Providing funding for commemorative projects |
42% |
31% |
18% |
3% |
4% |
| Creating remembrance-related ads |
40% |
30% |
21% |
4% |
4% |
| Creating virtual or online remembrance ceremonies |
43% |
26% |
21% |
4% |
5% |
| Providing promotional materials, such as posters and pins |
37% |
25% |
27% |
5% |
5% |
| Supporting and leading commemorative events outside Canada* |
24% |
22% |
35% |
8% |
10% |
Return to Figure 20
Figure 21: Importance of Remembrance Initiatives [Over Time]
| |
Provide educational materials* |
Create remembrance ads* |
Post remembrance content on social media* |
Provide promotional materials |
Support/lead commemorative events in Canada** |
Provide funding for commemorative projects* |
Support and lead commemorative events outside of Canada*** |
| 2020 |
91% |
70% |
73% |
62% |
85% |
73% |
46% |
| 2019 |
89% |
68% |
69% |
66% |
86% |
74% |
52% |
| 2018 |
90% |
72% |
74% |
66% |
81% |
75% |
|
| 2017 |
86% |
76% |
71% |
65% |
87% |
70% |
|
| 2016 |
86% |
80% |
73% |
64% |
87% |
70% |
|
| 2014 |
82% |
72% |
62% |
59% |
80% |
66% |
|
| 2012 |
82% |
75% |
62% |
61% |
80% |
66% |
|
% who see each as important
Return to Figure 21
Figure 22: Attitudes Towards Veterans and Commemoration
| |
Completely agree |
Somewhat agree |
Neutral |
Somewhat disagree |
Completely disagree |
| Veterans and those who died in service should be recognized for their service |
84% |
11% |
4% |
1% |
1% |
| Veterans and those who died in service have made major contributions to Canada |
76% |
16% |
6% |
1% |
2% |
| Participation in commemorative activities increases awareness of and appreciation for Veterans and those who died in service |
60% |
24% |
11% |
2% |
2% |
| I make an effort to demonstrate my appreciation to those who served our country |
47% |
24% |
18% |
5% |
5% |
| VAC effectively honours Veterans and preserves memory of their achievements |
46% |
27% |
19% |
3% |
2% |
Return to Figure 22
Figure 23: Attitudes Towards Veterans and Commemoration [Over Time]
| |
Recognition* |
Contributions |
Appreciation |
Honours |
Participation |
| 2020 |
95% |
92% |
71% |
73% |
84% |
| 2019 |
96% |
93% |
75% |
70% |
86% |
| 2018 |
96% |
93% |
74% |
73% |
86% |
| 2017 |
96% |
92% |
73% |
74% |
86% |
| 2016 |
96% |
89% |
73% |
76% |
|
| 2014 |
93% |
83% |
66% |
73% |
|
| 2012 |
91% |
86% |
66% |
75% |
|
| 2011 |
93% |
83% |
67% |
|
|
| 2010 |
91% |
83% |
66% |
|
|
| 2008 |
92% |
84% |
66% |
|
|
% who agree with each statement
Return to Figure 23
Figure 24: Attitudes Towards and Knowledge of Canada's Military Role
| |
Completely agree |
Somewhat agree |
Neutral |
Somewhat disagree |
Completely disagree |
| I am proud of military role |
39% |
32% |
22% |
4% |
2% |
| I am knowledgeable about military role |
59% |
22% |
13% |
3% |
2% |
Return to Figure 24
Figure 25: Attitudes Towards and Knowledge of Canada's Military Role [Over Time]
| |
Pride |
Knowledge |
| 2020 |
81% |
71% |
| 2019 |
83% |
71% |
| 2018 |
83% |
71% |
| 2017 |
82% |
72% |
| 2016 |
82% |
73% |
| 2014 |
82% |
69% |
| 2012 |
80% |
73% |
| 2011 |
78% |
73% |
| 2010 |
79% |
70% |
Return to Figure 25
Figure 26: Presentation and Care of Memorials, Cemeteries and Grave Markers
| |
Completely agree |
Somewhat agree |
Neutral |
Somewhat disagree |
Completely disagree |
It is important that Veterans Affairs Canada recognize and honour
Canadian Veterans and those who died in service through the
presentation and care of memorials, cemeteries and grave markers. |
76% |
16% |
6% |
1% |
1% |
I am satisfied with how Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes and honours
Canadian Veterans and those who died in service through
the presentation and care of memorials, cemeteries and grave markers. |
36% |
28% |
22% |
4% |
2% |
Return to Figure 26
Figure 27: Presentation and Care of Memorials, Cemeteries and Grave Markers [Over Time]
| |
Important that VAC recognize and honour Canadian Veterans and those who died in service |
Satisfied with how VAC recognizes and honours Canadian Veterans and those who died in service |
| 2020 |
92% |
64% |
| 2019 |
93% |
61% |
| 2019 |
93% |
61% |
| 2018 |
93% |
59% |
| 2017 |
93% |
63% |
| 2016 |
91% |
65% |
| 2014 |
89% |
62% |
| 2012 |
88% |
66% |
| 2011 |
92% |
65% |
| 2010 |
88% |
59% |
Return to Figure 27
Figure 28: Importance of Providing Funeral and Burial Assistance
| |
Completely agree |
Somewhat agree |
Neutral |
Somewhat disagree |
Completely disagree |
It is important that Veterans Affairs Canada recognize and honour
deceased Canadian Veterans by providing funeral and burial assistance. |
75% |
16% |
5% |
1% |
1% |
I am satisfied with how Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes and honours
deceased Canadian Veterans through the provision of funeral and burial assistance. |
31% |
24% |
25% |
3% |
3% |
Return to Figure 28
Figure 29: Importance of Providing Funeral and Burial Assistance [Over Time]
| |
Important that VAC recognize and honour deceased Canadian Veterans by providing funeral and burial assistance |
Satisfied with how VAC recognizes and honours deceased Canadian Veterans through the provision of funeral and burial assistance |
| 2020 |
91% |
55% |
| 2019 |
92% |
56% |
| 2018 |
91% |
52% |
| 2017 |
93% |
63% |
| 2016 |
91% |
65% |
% who agree with each statement
Return to Figure 29
Figure 30: Importance of Commemorating Anniversaries associated with Military Conflicts
| |
Very important |
Moderately important |
Neutral |
Not very important |
Not important at all |
| ...with military conflicts? |
62% |
25% |
10% |
1% |
2% |
| ...with military conflicts like the World Wars, the Korean War, or the war in Afghanistan? |
56% |
25% |
14% |
2% |
1% |
"How important is it for Canada and Canadians to mark milestone anniversaries associated…"
Return to Figure 30