Toronto, ON — Torontonians will come together across the city on November 11 to commemorate Remembrance Day, honouring Canada’s veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Ceremonies and moments of reflection will take place at multiple locations citywide, bringing residents together to pause and remember.
The City of Toronto’s official Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at the Old City Hall Cenotaph (60 Queen Street West) beginning at 10:45 a.m. The ceremony will feature remarks from Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont and Mayor Olivia Chow, followed by a two-minute moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. to honour the fallen. Those unable to attend in person can watch the ceremony live on the City of Toronto’s YouTube channel, starting at 10:55 a.m.
In addition to the main event downtown, ceremonies will take place across the city, including:
- Queen’s Park at the Ontario Legislative Building
- East York Civic Centre Memorial Gardens, 850 Coxwell Avenue
- Etobicoke Civic Centre Cenotaph, 399 The West Mall
- Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Road
- North York Cenotaph in York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road
- Scarborough War Memorial, 2190 Kingston Road
- York Civic Centre Cenotaph, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Foundation will also host its annual ceremony at Mount Pleasant Cemetery Mausoleum beginning at 10:40 a.m. The event will include readings, wreath laying, and the traditional moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., followed by a fly-past by an RCAF aircraft at 11:01 a.m. Attendees will then visit the tomb of William George Barker VC, Canada’s most decorated serviceman. Students from local schools will participate by reading poems and letters to the Deputy Commander of the RCAF.
At exactly 11:00 a.m., the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will observe a citywide moment of silence. All subway, bus, streetcar, and Wheel-Trans service will pause for two minutes in honour of Canada’s veterans. Vehicles will remain safely in place, and public announcements will resume immediately after. Veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces, wearing uniforms, medals, or ribbons, can ride the TTC for free all day, along with a companion. TTC vehicles will also display “Lest We Forget” messages throughout the system, while stories of TTC workers who served in the Second World War will be featured across stations.
To accommodate the ceremonies, several temporary road closures will be in effect until noon. Wellesley Street West will be closed between Queen’s Park Crescent East and West starting at 9:30 a.m. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., Queen Street West will be closed between York and Bay Streets, and Bay Street will be closed from Dundas Street West to Richmond Street West, with local access maintained to City Hall parking.
All events will proceed rain or shine, and Toronto Police have advised motorists to expect delays and plan alternate routes where possible.
As the city gathers in remembrance, Toronto extends its gratitude to the brave men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in the defence of peace and freedom.