Bringing About The National Day Of Service Act

Bill Honours Courageous Response to Terror (June 23, 2009)

OTTAWA – Senator David Tkachuk, on behalf of Senator Pamela Wallin, today introduced Bill S-240 in the Senate. The National Day of Service Act, in memory of 9/11 victims, will dedicate September 11th of every year as a day set aside for community service.

“I was approached by the Canadian families of 9/11 victims asking why we do not have a day to remember the victims of 9/11,” said Senator Wallin. “I feel this bill is important because we need to remember what came out of the tragedy — the outpouring of kindness and unity that we all witnessed here in Canada, in the United States, and in other countries around the world.”

Citizens of 90 countries lost their lives on 9/11, including 24 Canadians. The savagery that toppled the World Trade Towers affected the entire world and rallied Canadians to fight terrorism. However, despite our remembrance of 9/11, Canada currently has no national memorial for 9/11 and prior to this Senate bill there has been no official recognition of the events of that day.

The full title of the bill is An Act respecting a national day of service to honour the courage and sacrifice of Canadians in the face of terrorism, particularly the events of September 11, 2001 and will dedicate September 11th as a day that Canadians can volunteer their time and reflect on the importance of fighting terrorism. These voluntary and creative acts of giving will constitute a lasting memorial to those who were the victims of terrorism.

The United States recently passed a similar bi-partisan bill sponsored by Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy bill (Serve America Act S.277) and its purpose is to also commemorate 9/11 with this same approach.

“I am proud to be involved with this legislation,” said Senator Wallin. “September 11th is our opportunity to do more than just express sympathy for the losses of our neighbours to the south. This year we can show a friend or neighbour a simple act of kindness in the service of remembering the victims of 9/11.”

Click here to view Bill S-240, The National Day of Service Act.