Toronto Remembers: How City of Toronto will commemorate Remembrance Week

TORONTO, November 3, 2023 – During Remembrance Week, from November 5 to 11, the City of Toronto will honour the courage and sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service to Canada and those who continue to serve in the Canadian Forces and as part of United Nations peacekeeping missions.

“Throughout Remembrance Week, Torontonians and Canadians come together to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to serve Canada and its people. Every day, we are reminded of the realities of war and the value of peace, but especially during this week, we are called to never forget the lives lost in the pursuit of freedom,” said Toronto Mayor, Olivia Chow. “I look forward to joining Torontonians in paying our respects, taking time to reflect, and remembering the fallen and those left behind,” added Chow.

The City of Toronto commemorations will include:

• Wednesday, November 1 to Saturday, November 11 – Poppy installation on the Toronto sign: As with previous years, an illuminated poppy will be added to the Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square to support the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy sale campaign. The Toronto sign will also be lit red on November 11.
• Wednesday, November 1 to Saturday, November 11 – “Toronto Remembers” exhibit: The City, in partnership with Metrolinx, will present a special exhibit 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 Street West and Bay Street.
• Wednesday, November 8 at 7 a.m. – Indigenous Veterans Day: Mayor Olivia Chow will be joined by members of Toronto City Council, Treaty and Territorial partners, Indigenous veterans and community members for a sacred fire ceremony and plaque-unveiling in the Hall of Memory located at the City Hall Rotunda. The ceremony will conclude with a procession to the Council Chamber followed by a presentation during the meeting of City Council.
• Saturday, November 11 at 10:45 a.m. – Remembrance Day: In-person Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held at Old City Hall, Etobicoke Civic Centre, East York Civic Centre, Fort York Historic Site, the Scarborough War Memorial, York Cemetery (new North York location) and York Civic Centre.

Road closures will be in effect for the Remembrance Day ceremony at Old City Hall. To attend in person, members of the public are encouraged to take the TTC Subway Line 1 (Yonge-University) and exit at Osgoode Station. Access to the ceremony from Yonge Street/Queen Station will be limited. The Old City Hall ceremony will also be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel or on the City’s webpage.

• Saturday, November 11 – Fly past: The Remembrance Day flypast is an aerial salute that pays respect to the fallen through the “missing man formation.” Weather permitting, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association will perform the flypast over Old City Hall at 11:05 a.m., East York Civic Centre at 11:08 a.m. and York Cemetery at 11:25 a.m.
• Saturday, November 11 – Flag raisings: The City will raise two significant flags on Remembrance Day. 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 City Hall.
• Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. – Moment of remembrance: All Toronto Transit Commission vehicles will stop for two minutes in honour of Remembrance Day. Prior to the observance, “Lest We Forget” window cards will be placed in TTC vehicles.
• Saturday, November 11 at 12:30 p.m. – Book reading: Join author Catherine Little at Montgomery’s Inn, located at 4709 Dundas St. W., for a reading from her newly-released children’s book, ENDGAME: The Secret Force 136. A Q&A session and special Remembrance Day tea will follow the reading. More information is available on the City’s events webpage.

This year, the City will focus on significant milestones, including the 70 anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement – observed on July 27 – and the 75 anniversary of Canadian participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions – observed on August 9. In addition, the Naval Reserve of Canada and HMCS York are marking their centennials this year. More information on these anniversaries, Remembrance Day rituals, Veteran stories and the Books of Remembrance, which pay tribute to the fallen, are available on the City’s Toronto Remembers webpage.

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