Here’s what’s happening in Toronto for Remembrance Day, week

City of Toronto commemorates Remembrance Week from November 5 to 11

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2024 – The City of Toronto will commemorate Remembrance Week from Tuesday, November 5 to Monday, November 11, honouring the sacrifices of those who served in Canada’s military. Throughout the week, ceremonies and activities will be held across the city to remember and pay tribute to veterans and active service members culminating in Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11. 

Canadian Military Milestones

This year marks several significant anniversaries including the 80th anniversary of D-Day, seventy-five years since the founding of NATO, ten years since the end of the Canadian Peacekeeping Mission in Afghanistan and the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

Tuesday, November 5 – Poppy installation on the Toronto Sign 

An illuminated poppy will be added to the Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square, from Tuesday, November 5 to Monday, November 11, in remembrance of and to support the Royal Canadian Legion’s National Poppy Campaign. The Toronto Sign will also be lit red on Monday, November 11. 

Thursday, November 7 – No. 2 Construction Battalion commemorative plaque unveiling 

On Thursday, November 7, the City will unveil a commemorative plaque to honour the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the largest all-Black battalion-sized formation in Canadian military history. The ceremony will take place near St. Andrew’s Church, where the plaque will be installed.  

Details about the ceremony can be found at the City’s website.

Friday, November 8 – Indigenous Veterans Day 

On Friday, November 8, Toronto will mark Indigenous Veterans Day, honouring First Nations, Inuit and Métis veterans who have served Canada in various conflicts. This day highlights their ongoing contributions to the Canadian military, recognizing the important role they have played in Canada’s history.  

The Toronto Sign will also be lit in the four colours of the Medicine Wheel – red, white, yellow and black. 

More details about the Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony are available on the City’s website.

Monday, November 4 to Monday, November 11 – “Toronto Remembers” exhibit 

This year, the City has partnered with Metrolinx to feature panels recounting significant military and peacekeeping milestones intertwined with Toronto’s past, present and future. The installation will be placed along the construction fencing at Queen St. W. and Bay St. The display will also be exhibited in the Rotunda at Toronto City Hall, along with additional information on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, to commemorate ten years since its end.  

Remembrance Day ceremonies 

On Monday, November 11 starting at 10:45 a.m., Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held at various locations across Toronto including: 

• Old City Hall Cenotaph, 60 Queen St. W. 
• East York Civic Centre Memorial Gardens, 850 Coxwell Ave. 
• Etobicoke Civic Centre Cenotaph, 399 The West Mall 
• Fort York National Historic Site – Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Rd. – begins at 10:30 a.m. 
• North York Cenotaph in York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Rd. 
• Scarborough War Memorial, 2190 Kingston Rd. 
• York Civic Centre Cenotaph, 2700 Eglinton Ave. W. 

The Old City Hall ceremony will also be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel  and on the City’s webpage.

Full ceremony details are available on the City’s Remembrance Day website.

Flying of flags 

On Monday, November 11, the City will raise two significant flags. A Canadian flag that flew at Vimy Ridge in 2020 will be raised at Coronation Park and a City of Toronto flag that flew at Juno Beach in 2019 on Vimy Day will be raised at Toronto City Hall. 

Moment of remembrance 

All Toronto Transit Commission vehicles will stop for two minutes on Monday, November 11, at 11 a.m. “Lest We Forget” window cards will be placed in TTC vehicles prior to Remembrance Day. 

Road Closures and Public Access 

To facilitate the Remembrance Day ceremony at Old City Hall and to ensure public safety, there will be road restrictions and transit diversions including:  

• Bay St. will be closed from Albert St. to Richmond St. W. and Queen St. W. from Bay St. to east of York St.  
• The public is encouraged to approach Old City Hall from the west and use the Line 1 Osgoode Subway Station.  
• Access from the east including Yonge St. and Queen Subway Station will be restricted. 

For more information on Remembrance Week events, visit the City’s Remembrance Day webpage.

SOURCE City of Toronto

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