NATIONAL WAR MONUMENT, OTTAWA: Members of the media and the public are warmly invited to attend the Merchant Navy Veterans Day of Remembrance—a national ceremony honouring the service and sacrifice of the Canadian and Allied Merchant Navy, the American Merchant Marine, and today’s modern seafarers. This tribute will also highlight the vital role of the global shipping industry in safeguarding security, supporting defense, and driving the world economy.

This event will be held on September 14, 2025, at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, formally commencing at 11:00 a.m.

This year marks several extraordinary milestones: 20 years of global recognition of September 3 by nations worldwide, 20 years of support excellence from Canadian federal departments and agencies (to be announced soon), and the 10th anniversary of the late Pope Francis’ blessing of the Allied Merchant Navy. These milestones underscore a legacy of service, solidarity, and international respect that spans oceans and generations.

From the early Voyageurs and colonial seafarers to the heroes of the World Wars, Korea, and today’s global shipping industry, Canada’s maritime legacy is defined by courage, resilience, and worldwide influence. During the Second World War alone, Canadian Merchant Navy vessels completed 25,343 transatlantic voyages, delivering more than 164 million tons of vital cargo from North America to Britain. The cost was high—over 2,000 Royal Canadian Navy personnel and 24 warships lost, more than 900 members of the RCAF and Canadian Army killed, and 2,199 Canadian Merchant Navy seamen who gave their lives in the two World Wars. The American Merchant Marine also played a critical role, with over 250,000 mariners braving perilous seas; 6,835 killed, more than 11,000 wounded, and 604 taken prisoner—61 of whom died in captivity. Together, these sacrifices helped secure victory and shape the modern world.

The Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP) carries forward this legacy. Guided by its motto—“to navigate across Canada and nations of the world to discover the forgotten history of our unknown heroes, uniting people coast-to-coast through a common understanding of our heritage and culture”—the MNCTP launched Operation Unity to:

• Secure nationwide commemorative proclamations, building on seven provinces that have already declared September 3 as Merchant Navy Day.
• Honour Merchant Navy Day in every Canadian capital and at every Cenotaph.
• Achieve United Nations recognition of September 3 as the International Day of Recognition for the Allied Merchant Navy, American Merchant Marine, and modern shipping industry.

This ceremony celebrates not only the bravery of those who served, but also the modern maritime workforce that keeps 90% of the world’s goods moving—over 1.5 million seafarers connecting 150 countries through 2,800 ports.

All are welcome to attend this uplifting national tribute, followed by a gathering at D’Arcy McGee’s (44 Sparks Street).

You are also invited to attend a gathering (cash bar) following the ceremony at D'Arcy McGee's (44 Spark Street, adjacent to the National War Monument), following the Remembrance event. Together, we honour the past, celebrate the present, and chart a united course for the future.

The MNCTP is a proud Associate Member Association of the Conference of Defence Associations.

Date:             Sunday, September 14, 2025

Time:            10:30am

Location:      National War Memorial

                     Ottawa, Ontario