Québec City Mosque Remembrance Day

Summary#

The Administrator of the Government of Canada, Richard Wagner, issued a proclamation on April 14, 2021 (published in the Canada Gazette on April 28, 2021) asking Canadians to observe January 29 each year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia. The day honours the victims of the January 29, 2017 attack that left six people dead and 19 injured.

What it does#

• Requests that the people of Canada observe January 29 of every year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia.
• Explains the intention behind the day: to honour victims, recognize those who helped others, express solidarity with survivors, denounce Islamophobia and other forms of racism, and encourage efforts to remove barriers and promote inclusion.
• Notes the proclamation follows Order in Council P.C. 2021-276 (dated April 8, 2021).

Who's affected#

• Families and survivors of the Québec City mosque attack and Muslim communities in Quebec and across Canada are the most directly affected.
• Community groups, schools, faith organizations, and municipalities may mark the day with memorials, education, or events.
• The proclamation is a request to the public; it does not itself create a statutory holiday or new government program (the text does not say this).

Why it matters#

• It creates an annual moment for Canadians to remember the victims and call attention to Islamophobia, racism, and violent extremism.
• The day can prompt public education, local commemorations, and community support for survivors and affected communities.
• As a formal government proclamation, it signals an official recognition that may influence how institutions and communities respond each year.