Questions and Answers

• What are the Books of Remembrance?
• Why was a Seventh Book of Remembrance created?
• Who can be included in the Seventh Book?
• Who is responsible for the Book?
• Did VAC consult with Veterans' organizations in the process of creating the Seventh Book of Remembrance?

• Are all individuals who have died since October 1, 1947, included in the Seventh Book?
• Why does the Seventh Book of Remembrance begin on October 1, 1947?
• Can I still submit a name for entry into the Book?
• What information do I need to submit a name for entry into the Seventh Book?
• What if I am having difficulty getting a service number or other information? Will I still have a chance to submit this information in the future?
• Can I include a photo or other material with the name?
• How do I get photos to you?
• What if I don't have access to scanners and digital equipment?
• What will you do with the additional information I provide?
• What is the best way to contact VAC regarding the Seventh Book of Remembrance?
• How long will it take you to process the name?
• What is due diligence and why is it necessary?
• Is due diligence going to slow down the process?
• Where can I go to check whether or not the Department has added a name?

• What is the process for determining eligibility for the Seventh Book?
• Why hasn't the name I submitted been immediately placed on the Web site?
• Who is eligible for the Seventh Book of Remembrance?
• What do Section 21.(1)(b) and Section 21.(2)(b) sections of the Pension Act refer to?
• What is the difference between Section 21 (1) (b) and Section 21 (2) (b)?
• My spouse died in November 1948 as a result of Second World War injuries. Would he/she be considered for the Book?
• Are you only looking for the names of Canadian Forces personnel who died in Special Duty Areas? Are those who died on duty in-Canada, such as those who died in vehicle and training accidents, considered as well?
• My spouse died during military service but I am not pensioned for it. What can I do?

• How can I view a name in the Seventh Book?

The Books of Remembrance

A. The Books of Remembrance commemorate the names of more than 118,000 Canadians who have lost their lives in major conflicts since 1884. There are currently seven Books located in the Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. The newest Book, In the Service of Canada: The Seventh Book of Remembrance, was dedicated on November 11, 2005.

To learn more about the History of the Books, visit the Books of Remembrance feature of the VAC Web site. You can also visit the Canadian Virtual War Memorial to view the names that are recorded in the Books.

A. The Seventh Book of Remembrance was created to honour the women and men of the Canadian Forces who died during active duty in-Canada or while deployed abroad. This Book, entitled In the Service of Canada: The Seventh Book of Remembrance, is devoted exclusively to those who gave their lives in service to Canada since October 1947, with the exception of those commemorated in the Korean War Book of Remembrance.

A. To be included in the Seventh Book of Remembrance, a Canadian Forces member's death must be attributable to military service in-Canada or abroad. In addition, members who died within two years of leaving military service may be eligible for the Book.

A.The Seventh Book of Remembrance was developed by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), in close partnership with other Federal Departments. The list of names for the Seventh Book was compiled using files from Library and Archives Canada. Each entry has been verified by the Department of National Defence. All new entries will follow the same process.

A. VAC worked closely with a National Advisory Committee, which provided a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience to help guide the project from its initial stages. The Committee included representatives from The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL); the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS); the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada (NCVA); the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association; the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP); and the Gulf War Veterans of Canada.

Continuing to build the Seventh Book of Remembrance

A. Not at this time. VAC continues to work to identify all those who may be eligible for the Seventh Book of Remembrance. We also continue to seek the assistance of the Canadian public, and encourage all Canadians to submit any information they have on members of the Canadian Forces who died "In the Service of Canada" since October 1947, excluding those commemorated in the Korean War Book of Remembrance.

A. The Seventh Book of Remembrance records military-related deaths from October 1, 1947. The October 1 date is used because it is the day after the Second World War Book of Remembrance closed.

A. Yes. Please forward any information you have regarding Canadian Forces members who have died since October 1, 1947, and whose death is attributable to their military service, except those who have been commemorated in the Korean War Book of Remembrance. You can forward information by e-mail to commemoration@vac-acc.gc.ca or by mail to:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Canada Remembers
Seventh Book of Remembrance Project
12th Floor, Room 1208
66 Slater St., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4

A. The more information that is provided to VAC, the easier it is to verify the individual's eligibility for the Seventh Book of Remembrance. When submitting an individual's name, please include his/her service number, the date of his/her death and any other pertinent information related to his/her service history, where possible.

A. Yes. The Seventh Book is unique from the other Books of Remembrance because it will never close - it remains open for future commemorations.

A. Absolutely. Each name commemorated in the Seventh Book of Remembrance will also be included in the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. The Canadian Virtual War Memorial is a searchable database that can house photos and other materials relating to those commemorated in all Books of Remembrance.

A. Please submit as much information as possible, including digitized images of photos, letters, postcards, medals and other memorabilia. This can be done by scanning or digitally photographing the documents and forwarding them electronically to VAC using the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. The Canadian Virtual War Memorial Web site provides simple, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process.

You can contact your local Community Access Program (CAP) site to see if it has the necessary equipment. Call 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) for the location of a CAP site near you. Local photo shops may also provide this service on a commercial basis.

A. Additional information provided to VAC regarding Canada's war heroes will be added, where possible, to the Canadian Virtual War Memorial database. It will be used to help to ensure that the Seven Books of Remembrance and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial are comprehensive and accurate.

A. Please contact VAC by e-mail at commemoration@vac-acc.gc.ca or by mail:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Canada Remembers - Seventh Book of Remembrance Project
12th Floor, Room 1208
66 Slater St., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4

A. The time required to verify an individual's eligibility and to add the name to the Seventh Book will depend on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to VAC. Once VAC receives the information, it has to be verified. The verification process for the Seventh Book can take up to a year, but generally takes 2-3 months.

A. Due diligence refers to the thoroughness and accuracy that is required when completing a project such as the Seventh Book. Due diligence ensures that the names included in the Book meet the established eligibility criteria, and that the information being compiled is accurate. It is important that appropriate effort is made to ensure the integrity of the Seventh Book of Remembrance.

VAC is committed to ensuring the accuracy of all information contained within the Seventh Book of Remembrance. Should there be any difficulty in confirming basic information such as an individual's service number, rank, or date of death, the process may be delayed. A name can be processed more quickly if the information submitted is accurate and complete.

A. There are a number of ways to see if the name has been added. You can visit the Seventh Book of Remembrance Web site, complete a search on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial or send an inquiry by e-mail directly to commemoration@vac-acc.gc.ca or by regular mail to the following address:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Canada Remembers - Seventh Book of Remembrance Project
12th Floor, Room 1208
66 Slater St., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4

Eligibility Criteria

A. To ensure an individual is eligible to be included in the Seventh Book, his/her information must be verified. This process involves several key steps. First, an individual's service files and other related records must be retrieved from Library and Archives Canada, and the contents reviewed. Next, an assessment of whether the individual meets the established eligibility criteria is completed. As a final step, the information is then cross-checked with the Department of National Defence.

A. As a basis for determining eligibility, Veterans Affairs Canada, in consultation with the Department of National Defence, must assess whether or not the identified individual meets the eligibility criteria as set out in VAC's pension legislation. The name will not be added until eligibility is verified.

A. The basic criteria for determining who may be eligible for the Seventh Book is found in VAC's legislation, specifically Section 21.(1)(b) or Section 21.(2)(b) of the Pension Act. Those eligible for the Seventh Book includes Canadian Forces members whose deaths were directly attributable to military service while on duty in-Canada or while deployed abroad since October 1, 1947. Individuals who died within two years of leaving the military service may also be eligible for the Book. The two-year period is consistent with the time limits used for the existing Books of Remembrance.

A. Section 21.(1)(b) and Section 21.(2)(b) of the Pension Act set out criteria for eligibility and entitlement for VAC's disability pensions and benefits. They also define "loss of life" as it is attributable to or incurred during military service. For that reason, these sections are used to determine eligibility for the Seventh Book of Remembrance.

A. Section 21 (1) (b) refers to those members whose death is a result of military service in a Special Duty Area mission or a Special Duty Operation. These members may have died while in the SDA/SDO area or their deaths are a result of injuries/diseases contracted in these areas.

Section 21 (2) (b) refers to those members whose death is a result of Regular Force service while in peacetime.

A. Regrettably, no. Those members who died as a result of Second World War injuries after September 30, 1947, would not be commemorated in this Book as they do not meet the established criteria.

A. The Seventh Book of Remembrance is open to all individuals who died in the service of Canada and who meet the established eligibility criteria. This includes who died while in SDAs/SDOs, as well as those who died in-Canada or abroad in peacetime exercises.

A. In this case, a survivor may qualify for a pension. Please contact a pension officer at your local VAC district office who will help determine whether or not a claim can be submitted on your behalf.

Viewing the Seventh Book of Remembrance

A. Every morning, at eleven o'clock, a page of the new Book will be turned by a member of the House of Commons Security Services staff. If you are interested in knowing when a certain page containing a particular name will be on display, consult the Books of Remembrance calendar.

With special permission, close family members of those commemorated in the Books of Remembrance may be able to view the ceremony, which is not usually open to public viewing. You can also view the individuals pages contained in all Books of Remembrance using the Books of Remembrance feature of VAC Web site and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.