Remembrance Day ceremonies in Toronto honour sacrifices made for freedom

Playing null of undefined

REPLAY: CP24 coverage of Remembrance Day 2025

Remembrance Day in Toronto

97th Sunrise Service held at Prospect Cemetery. Watch the full ceremony

Premier Ford visits veterans centre, says grandfather fought for freedom

‘Part of our history’: Brampton mayor on how the city is honouring veterans

Veterans wake up to thousands of flags on Remembrance Day

Number of living Second World War veterans has dwindled to a few thousand

Parade and memorial service held by 48th Highlanders of Canada

Hundreds brave the cold to pay respect ahead of Remembrance Day

At solemn Remembrance Day ceremonies in Toronto honouring the sacrifices of Canada’s fallen soldiers and veterans, those with lived experience reminded the crowds about the costs of war and peace. 

Hundreds of people commemorated the day at Queen’s Park in front of the Ontario Veterans’ Memorial, where several dozen wreaths lay. At 11 a.m., artillery fire rang out to the sound of bagpipes as part of a 21-gun salute, followed by a moment of silence.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Richard Rohmer, an honorary lieutenant-general and one of Canada’s oldest and most decorated veterans, recalled his recent visit to the Netherlands, where thousands of Canadian soldiers were buried after the deadliest conflict in history.

“I talked to them as if they were alive, and spoke as best I could for them,” the 101-year-old veteran told the sombre crowd.

“We’re remembering them today.”

Brig.-Gen. Eric Landry, whose deployments included missions in Afghanistan, said this year’s Remembrance Day marks several other significant milestones. It’s the 110th anniversary of the war poem “In Flanders Fields,” he said, and the 25th anniversary of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa. 

The memorial day isn’t only about remembering soldiers — it’s also about recognizing the cost of peace, he said.

“Even if you have not experienced war or conflict yourself, the freedom and peace you have today are possible because of the courage and sacrifice of others,” said Landry.

Landry added that the world is much different than it was when he joined the army more than 30 years ago, making it even more important to recognize the work of service members.

“We are arguably in a more precarious global security environment than we have been in several decades,” he said. “Therefore, I want to thank Canadian soldiers, past and present, for choosing to defend Canada.”

Among those in attendance at the Ontario Veterans’ Memorial were Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly, both of whom laid wreaths alongside young cadets. Speaking to the crowd, Ford thanked the veterans for their sacrifices and said serving the country is the “highest act of patriotism.”

“To the veterans and service members with us today, the debt of gratitude we owe can never be fully repaid,” said Ford.

A quartet performed the song “Danny Boy,” followed by two young service members who recited “In Flanders Fields.” The ceremony was occasionally punctuated by the sound of distant gunfire as the salute continued. 

In the eastern skies, two Hercules military aircraft flew over the crowds, marking the end of the event at Queen’s Park.

At a separate ceremony held outside Toronto’s Old City Hall, Mayor Olivia Chow said marking Remembrance Day at the site is especially poignant this year, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Toronto Cenotaph.

Chow said the day marks Canadians’ “solemn responsibility” to remember the sacrifices of service members. More than 3,500 Torontonians died during the Second World War, she said, and thousands more came home with both visible and invisible wounds.

“These were real people with dreams, with families, and everything to live for,” said Chow. “They made the ultimate sacrifice for us to stand here in freedom and democracy.”

The ceremonies in Toronto on Tuesday were among many events taking place across the country in honour of Remembrance Day.

By Rianna Lim

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2025.