News release details

A poppy‐red tower will glow atop the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) this weekend in honour of Remembrance Day and the 100^th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War.

Free admission will be extended to veterans and active serving members of the Canadian armed forces and their families (up to a total of two adults and four youths) on November 9, 10 and 11.

In partnership with the Canadian First World War Internment Fund, the Museum will also screen a documentary at 1 p.m. on Remembrance Day about the internment of thousands of men, women and children in Canada during the First World War.

Called That Never Happened, the film explores the plight of “enemy aliens” – mostly of Ukrainian descent – who were sent to forced labour and internment camps by the Canadian government. Much of the truth about these imprisonments did not come to light until the 1980s, when the efforts of small group of dedicated people helped break the silence. Director Ryan Boyko and producer Diane Cofini will be present at this free event to introduce the 78‐minute film and participate in a question‐and‐answer period at the end.

First World War internment is also the subject of a six‐minute, silent video documentary that plays on a 27‐metre digital canvas above the Canadian Journeysgallery in the CMHR.

What: Remembrance Day weekend

When: 
Friday, November 9 to Sunday, November 11
Film screening: November 11 at 1 p.m.

Where: CMHR, 85 Israel Asper Way

The Museum will remain closed until 1 p.m. on Remembrance Day (November 11) to respect the solemn nature of this occasion and encourage the public to attend morning commemorative services. The Group Entrance doors will be opened in advance for visitors attending the free film screening.

The tower will glow red from dusk on November 9 until the morning of November 12. There are only two occasions during the year when the Israel Asper Tower of Hope changes colour – for Remembrance Day and Canada Day.