Governor General to be Presented with First Poppy of the 2021 National Poppy Campaign

October 21, 2021

OTTAWA, Ontario—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will receive the symbolic first poppy of the National Poppy Campaign in a ceremony at Rideau Hall on October 25, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.

Governor General May Simon will receive the first poppy from Mr. Bruce Julian, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion. His Excellency Whit Grant Fraser will also receive a poppy from Mr. Larry Murray, Grand President of the Royal Canadian Legion.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy symbol. Poppies will be available to the general public beginning October 29, 2021. The Royal Canadian Legion is again releasing a digital poppy this year, which can be shared with friends and family through social media.

About the National Poppy Campaign

Officially adopted in Canada in 1921 by the Great War Veterans’ Association (the predecessor of today’s Royal Canadian Legion), poppies are recognized as the national symbol of remembrance for the 117 000 Canadian men and women who gave their lives during military service around the world.

The funds raised each year during the National Poppy Campaign go back into programs and services for veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.legion.ca/poppy.


Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony are asked to confirm their attendance in advance with the Rideau Hall Press Office.

Media information:
Mireille Sylvester
Rideau Hall Press Office
343-573-7586
mireille.sylvester@gg.ca

Nujma Bond
The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command
613-591-3335, ext. 241
343-540-7604 (cell)
nbond@legion.ca

Stay connected:
Follow GovernorGeneralCanada on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.