Remembrance Day ceremonies are held in many locations across the city.
| Time | Location |
|---|---|
| 10:45 a.m. |
Old City Hall – Cenotaph 60 Queen St. W. |
| 10:45 a.m. |
East York Civic Centre – Memorial Gardens 850 Coxwell Ave. |
| 10:45 a.m. |
Etobicoke Civic Centre – Cenotaph 399 The West Mall |
| 10:40 a.m. |
Fort York National Historic Site 100 Garrison Rd. |
| 10:45 a.m. |
North York – York Cemetery Cenotaph 160 Beecroft Rd. |
| 10:45 a.m. |
Scarborough War Memorial 2190 Kingston Rd. |
| 10:45 a.m. |
York Civic Centre Cenotaph 2700 Eglinton Ave. W. |
| 10:55 a.m. |
Toronto Zoo 2000 Meadowvale Rd. |
For more information about the accessibility of any of the City’s Remembrance Day ceremonies, please contact protocol@toronto.ca.
Procession/March On
Kelly Jackson, City of Toronto Honour Guard, Parade Marshal
Welcome
Aretha Phillip, Chief of Protocol, City of Toronto
National Anthem: O Canada
Elmer Isler Singers under the direction of Lydia Adams
7th Regimental Band, Royal Canadian Artillery Band,
under the direction of Lieutenant Carina Lam
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bugler: “The Last Post”
Master Warrant Officer Darrin Hicks, 7th Regimental Band,
Royal Canadian Artillery Band
Two Minutes of Silence
Piper: “Lament”
Warrant Officer Alexander Brown, Pipe Major, 48th Highlanders of Canada
Bugler: “The Rouse”
Act of Remembrance
John Dufort, District D Commander, Royal Canadian Legion
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember (read in English and French)
Stephen Mensah, Executive Director, Toronto Youth Cabinet
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
Remarks from the City of Toronto
Mayor Olivia Chow
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Presentation of Wreaths
Benediction
Rev. John Joseph Mastandrea, Chaplain, Toronto Police Services
Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Dismissal/March Off
Public can lay wreaths or poppies
Thank you to the following organizations and individuals, in addition to those listed above, for contributing to the ceremony:
246 Canadian Progress Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
48th Highlanders of Canada
618 Queen City Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association (COTAPSA)
City of Toronto Honour Guard
Commissionaires Great Lakes
Knights of Columbus/Cardinal McGuigan Assembly 0865
Royal Canadian Legion
Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Vanguard
Toronto Fire Services Honour Guard
Toronto Fire Services War Veterans Association Colour Guard
Toronto Paramedic Services Ceremonial Guard
Toronto Police Services
Toronto Transit Commission Honour Guard
And thank you to our sponsor, Metrolinx, for their support of the ceremony and the commemorative banners along the construction hording.
Procession/March On
Woon Chung, Parade Marshal, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10
Welcome
Craig Oliver, Royal Canadian Legion, Deputy Zone D3 Commander
Land Acknowledgement
Flight Sergeant William Lewis, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron
National Anthem: O Canada
East York Collegiate Band
Toronto Choral Society
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bugler: “The Last Post”
Petty Officer David Pottinger, CD, HMCS York, Royal Canadian Navy
Two Minutes of Silence
Piper: “Lament”
Jeff David, Toronto Pipes and Drums
Bugler: “The Rouse”
Act of Remembrance
Craig Oliver
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember
Sergeant Faris Siddiqui, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
Promesse de se souvenir
Corporal Jessie Lamontagne, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous,
Ils ont servi, donnant généreusement d’eux-mêmes.
Nous leur promettons, en dépit du temps qui passe,
De porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Réponse : Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Remarks from the City of Toronto
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth)
Hymn to Freedom
East York Collegiate Band
Toronto Choral Society
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
Flight Sergeant Siobhan Lefort, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Presentation of Wreaths
Remember Them Well performed by First Light Scout Band
Benediction
Rev. Alex Bisset, Chaplain, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10
Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”
East York Collegiate Band
Toronto Choral Society
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Dismissal/March Off
Public can lay wreaths or poppies
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Royal Canadian Legion:
District D
Branch 10
Branch 11
Branch 22
Branch 345
Cadet Corps:
Toronto Police Services
Procession/March On
Todd Reid, Sergeant-at-Arms, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643
Welcome
Brenda Nash-Weech, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643
Land Acknowledgement
Reverend Maya Landell, Islington United Church
National Anthem: O Canada
The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band & Julia Raffaghello, singer
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bugler: “The Last Post”
Sharon Dury, Trumpeter, The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band
Two Minutes of Silence
Piper: “Lament”
Elizabeth Day, Piper
Bugler: “The Rouse”
Act of Remembrance
Brenda Nash-Weech
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember
Maia Gjini, Grade 8 Student, Bloorlea Middle School
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
Promesse de se souvenir
John Prasad, Grade 8 Student, Bloorlea Middle School
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous,
Ils ont servi, donnant généreusement d’eux-mêmes.
Nous leur promettons, en dépit du temps qui passe,
De porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Réponse : Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Remarks from the City of Toronto
Councillor Stephen Holyday (Ward 2 – Etobicoke Centre)
Hymn to Freedom
The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band &
Julia Raffaghello, singer
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
Aamira Iqbal, Grade 8 Student, Bloorlea Middle School
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Presentation of Wreaths
Benediction
Reverend Maya Landell, Islington United Church
Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”
The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band &
Julia Raffaghello, singer
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Dismissal/March Off
Public can lay wreaths or poppies
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643
75th Toronto Scottish Cadet Corps
Toronto Police Services
Procession/March On
Governor General’s Horse Guards (GGHG),
32 Combat Engineer Regiment (32 CER),
32 Service Battalion (32 Svc Bn)
Members of their associated Cadet Corps
Opening
Captain Frampton
Governor General’s Horse Guards
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
Jamie Yoon
General Counsel and Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs
Mount Pleasant Group
National Anthem: O Canada
Band of The Governor General’s Horse Guards
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bugler: “The Last Post”
Sergeant Salvatore DiCerbo
Band of The Governor General’s Horse Guards
Two Minutes of Silence
Piper: “Lament”
Recording
Bugler: “The Rouse”
Sergeant Salvatore DiCerbo
Band of The Governor General’s Horse Guards
Act of Remembrance
Mike Turner
District D Deputy Zone Commander
Royal Canadian Legion
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember
Edna Nortey
Toronto Youth Cabinet
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
Remarks from the City of Toronto
Councillor James Pasternak
York Centre
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
Members of the Governor General’s Horse Guards Cadet Corps
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Presentation of Wreaths
Benediction
Captain Monique Roumy CD, Padre
Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”
Band of The Governor General’s Horse Guards
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Dismissal/March Off
Public can lay wreaths or poppies
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries
Governor General’s Horse Guards
32 Combat Engineer Unit
32 Service Battalion
The Governor General’s Horse Guards are under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Moore, Commanding Officer
and Regimental Sergeant Major Kevin Kalk
Procession/March On
Bobby Dafoe, Sergeant-at-Arms
Brian Budden, Parade Marshal, Royal Canadian Legion, Zone D5
Welcome
Joyce Geddes, Royal Canadian Legion, Zone D5 Commander
Land Acknowledgement
Kowmitha Satkunarajan, Toronto Youth Cabinet
National Anthem: O Canada
Petty Officer (2nd class) Jonas Feldman, HMCS York
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bugler: “The Last Post”
Petty Officer Jonas Feldman, HMCS York
Two Minutes of Silence
Piper: “Lament”
Andrew Bennett, Toronto Fire Services Pipes and Drums
Bugler: “The Rouse”
Act of Remembrance
Joyce Geddes
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember
Ahyan, Grade 8 Student, Cliffside Public School
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
Remarks
Councillor Paul Ainslie – (Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood)
The Hon. Bill Blair, PC, COM, MP (Scarborough Southwest)
Minister of National Defence
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
Landon, Grade 8 Student, Cliffside Public School
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Presentation of Wreaths
Benediction
Debbie McPhee
Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Dismissal/March Off
Public can lay wreaths or poppies
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Royal Canadian Legion:
District D
Zone D5
Branch 13
Branch 73
Branch 165
Branch 258
Branch 345
Branch 614
Branch 617
Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Scarborough
Toronto Police Services
Procession/March On
David Ratcliff, Parade Marshal
Bruce Stewart, Sergeant-at-Arms
Welcome
Bill Riddell, Life Member, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31
Land Acknowledgement
Talib Abdi, Student, York Memorial Collegiate Institute
National Anthem: O Canada
York Memorial Collegiate Institute Choir
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bugler: “The Last Post”
Jordan Tunney, Sailor 1st Class, HMCS York
Two Minutes of Silence
Piper: “Lament”
S/Sgt. Brian Urkosky, Toronto Police Services
Bugler: “The Rouse”
Jordan Tunney, Sailor 1st Class, HMCS York
Act of Remembrance
Captain Thomas Turk (retired)
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember
Talib Abdi, Student, York Memorial Collegiate Institute
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response: We will remember them.
Promesse de se souvenir
Anny Tengono, Student, York Memorial Collegiate Institute
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous,
Ils ont servi, donnant généreusement d’eux-mêmes.
Nous leur promettons, en dépit du temps qui passe,
De porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Réponse : Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Remarks from the City of Toronto
Councillor Frances Nunziata (Ward 5 – York South – Weston)
Remember Me by Stephen Chapman
York Memorial Collegiate Institute Choir
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
Teresa La, Student, York Memorial Collegiate Institute
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Presentation of Wreaths
Benediction
Rev. Dr. Paulette Crooks-Drummond, Toronto Police Services Chaplain (12 Division)
Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”
York Memorial Collegiate Institute Choir
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Dismissal/March Off
Public can lay wreaths or poppies
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Royal Canadian Legion:
District D
Zone 1
Branch 31
Branch 75
Branch 266/46
Branch 266/46 Ladies Auxiliary
Toronto Police Services
Remembrance Week
November 5 – 11, 2024
WHEREAS during Remembrance Week, we honour the fallen and all Canadian veterans who have served and continue to serve in upholding the peace and freedoms we enjoy today. We take time to remember Canadians who paid the ultimate sacrifice by pausing each year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month for two minutes of silence.
This year, we observe 10 years since the end of Canada’s NATO mission in Afghanistan, which began in 2001 and ended in 2014. The mission was Canada’s longest military operation since the Second World War and its first significant combat engagement since the Korean War. In total, over 40,000 Canadians– including members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Mounted Police, civilian police agencies, civilians, and government officials – served in Afghanistan. Tragically, 158 uniformed Canadians lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan as well as seven Canadian civilians. We remember them and honour the ultimate sacrifice they made in serving their country.
In 2024, we are also reminded of the important contributions to freedom made by the Second World War generation, in remembering 80 years since our collective success on D Day, that changed the course of the war.
The City of Toronto acknowledges the bravery, courage, and physical, emotional, and psychological sacrifices of all Canadian veterans, past and present, who have fought and continue to fight for the peace and freedom we are privileged to enjoy in Canada. We also recognize military families and the immense daily sacrifices that they have made and continue to make in supporting loved ones who serve our country in times of peace and war and in service overseas for long periods.
I encourage Toronto residents to support the Royal Canadian Legion by purchasing and wearing a poppy in memory of the more than 118,000 Canadians who gave their lives in service to Canada. We will remember them.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim
November 5 – 11, 2024 as “Remembrance Week” in the City of Toronto.
Olivia Chow
Mayor of Toronto
The City of Toronto will commemorate No. 2 Construction Battalion of the First World War’s Canadian Expeditionary Force with the unveiling of a Heritage Toronto plaque to be placed at the corner of King Street West and University Avenue, close to the original site of the Battalion’s enlistment office at 162 King Street West.
This plaque unveiling ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Church (73 Simcoe St). All are welcome to attend.
No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, also known as the Black Battalion, was created on July 5, 1916, during the First World War. It was a segregated non-combatant unit, the largest all-Black military unit in Canadian military history.
Here is how you can honour the fallen, our veterans and those in active service:
The following organizations join the City of Toronto in laying wreaths at City of Toronto Cenotaphs on November 11, 2024:
They Remember
Royal Canadian Legion
Youth of Toronto
Consular Corps
Consulates General and Consulates of:
Veterans’ & Military Organizations
Cadet Corps
City Divisions, Agencies & Commissions
School Boards and Schools
Labour Organizations
Community Organizations
Private Businesses & Corporations
Lest We Forget