A Canadian flag flies at half-masl.

OTTAWA - Jean Chrétien has asked Canadians to join in a national day of mourning and prayer today for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

It will be Canada's first national day of mourning since 1967.

"This will show the solidarity that we feel towards our American friends and the families of the Canadian victims," the Prime Minister said.

The ceremony will be held on Parliament Hill at noon; Mr. Chrétien urged Canadians across the country to take time today to remember the victims.

After Adrienne Clarkson, the Governor-General, reads a prayer, there will be three minutes of silence, which will be broken by one chime from the Peace Tower's bell. The bell will then toll for a full minute after the silence.

The flags on the Peace Tower and all government buildings will continue to fly at half-mast indefinitely.

Canadians whose homes have flagpoles are asked to fly the Maple Leaf at half-mast.

Paul Cellucci, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, will represent his country at the Ottawa ceremony, which will include Canada's political leaders and foreign ambassadors and dignitaries.

Mr. Chrétien urged Canadians not to take out their anger on Arabs or Muslims amid reports the terrorists were linked to Osama bin Laden.

"We are in a struggle against terrorism, not against any one community or faith," the Prime Minister said at a news conference.

Lee Westerberg, a Heritage Canada spokesman, said Canada has observed just three national days of mourning since 1940. Previously, they followed the deaths of sovereigns or acting governors-general.

The most recent days of mourning were in 1967 after the death of governor-general Georges Vanier; in 1952 when King George VI died; and in 1940 when governor-general Sir John Buchan died.

George W. Bush has declared a national day of mourning in the United States today. The U.S. President will go to New York today to see the devastation of the World Trade Center for himself.

Two Canadians were on the planes that crashed and 60 to 100 were thought to be working in the immediate area of the trade centre, the federal Department of Foreign Affairs said.

In Victoria today, a book of condolences will be available in the B.C. legislature for people to sign.

In Montreal, civic leaders will attend a service today at 2:30 p.m.

Pierre Bourque, the Mayor, has asked citizens to remember the victims with a minute of silence at 3:15 pm.

In Ottawa, Archbishop Marcel Gervais will celebrate a bilingual mass at Notre Dame Cathedral at 5:15 p.m. today.

Mr. Chrétien said the terrorist attacks will not curtail his international travels, including the summits of the Francophonie and Commonwealth in Lebanon and Australia respectively next month.

"I will be going to every international meeting that will occur. I don't think terrorism should paralyze democracy," he said.