National Day of Remembrance for Air Disasters

Summary#

The document is the Proclamation Requesting to Observe January 8 of Every Year as a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters, issued by Julie Payette and published in the Canada Gazette on January 20, 2021. It asks Canadians to observe January 8 each year as a day to remember victims of air disasters, noting the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 on January 8, 2020, which killed 176 people, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 Canadian permanent residents.

What it does#

• Requests the people of Canada to observe January 8 of every year as a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.
• Notes other major air disasters by name, including Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 and Air India flight 182, as part of the reason for the observance.
• Follows Order in Council P.C. 2020-1130 of December 18, 2020, which directed that the proclamation be issued.
• Does not create a statutory holiday or say that governments must provide time off or money — it is a formal request for observance, not new law.

Who's affected#

• Families, friends and communities who lost people in air disasters (including those connected to flight 752).
• The aviation community and organizations that run memorials or safety-awareness programs.
• Public institutions, non-profits, and municipalities that may choose to hold ceremonies or observances on January 8.
• The general Canadian public, who are being asked to join in remembrance.
  If or how federal, provincial or local governments will mark the day (for example with official events or funding) is not specified in the proclamation.

Why it matters#

• It gives a regular, national date for Canadians to remember victims of air disasters and for communities to hold memorials or reflection events.
• It recognizes a major loss for Canada tied to January 8, 2020 and other international air tragedies, which can be important for grieving and public acknowledgment.
• Because it is a request rather than a law, it mainly has symbolic and commemorative impact rather than creating new legal rights, obligations, or public benefits.