This Remembrance Day, we call on Canadians to take the remembrance challenge and turn the act of remembering from a feeling into an action.

Canadians can play an active role in honouring Canadian soldiers of the past and present by wearing a poppy, talking to a veteran, attending a Remembrance Day ceremony or changing their Facebook picture to a poppy.

This year, we are circulating Postcards for Peace through our schools, allowing youth to send messages of thanks to those who have served and those who continue to serve Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace.

Taking action to demonstrate our gratitude increases our awareness of the sacrifices made by our troops and allows us to internalize the ways our lives have been improved by those who fight for our freedom.

It is important to show our appreciation, not only one day in November, but all year round.

Since taking office, this government has remained dedicated to providing support for our nation’s heroes.

In our first five budgets, we have increased spending on Veterans’ programs by over $2.5 billion.

We are currently in the process of establishing a “legacy of care” centred around five initiatives to care for injured soldiers, sea and air personnel. This program will make a tangible and lasting contribution to their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life.

We have introduced the VAC Assistance Service, a 24-hour, toll-free help line for veterans and their families seeking access to professional counseling services.

Through Clinical Care Managers, an innovative new service in communities, mental health professionals are assisted in providing guidance and support to veterans with complex mental health issues who may experience barriers to receiving care.

In addition to emotional and healthcare support, we strive to ensure our veterans receive the financial assistance they need. Those who have experienced catastrophic injuries that leave them unable to work will receive $1,000 per month for the rest of their lives on top of 75 percent of their salary as well as a monthly allowance of between $536 and $1,609.

We will continue to make it a priority to serve those who have already done so much to serve this nation.

I encourage you all to stand with me in thanking our veterans, not just in words, but through our actions all year long.

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