# 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%

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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%

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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

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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%

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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%

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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

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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

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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%

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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

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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%

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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

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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%

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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

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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…"

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