Overview
Remembrance Week is a time to remember those who have fallen, reflect on the impact of armed conflict, and pay respect to veterans and soldiers for their contributions to protecting peace.
Special dates
- Remembrance Week (Ontario): November 5 to 11
- Indigenous Veterans Day: November 8
- Remembrance Day: November 11
Ways to remember
From November 5 to 11, we encourage you to commemorate Remembrance Week in a way that is meaningful to you.
This might include:
- wearing a poppy
- observing a two-minute silence on November 11
- attending a Remembrance Day event in your community
- visiting a memorial or war cemetery
- learning about those who served, including women, Indigenous people, Black Canadians, Chinese Canadians and Jewish Canadians
Two-minute silence
At 11 a.m. on November 11, pause and observe two minutes of silence in honour of those who died serving their country in wars and in peacekeeping efforts.
Ways to observe:
- sit or stand still
- if driving, pull your vehicle to the side of the road and sit quietly, if it is safe to do so
- announce the silence over the PA system in a business or school
- gather in common areas of an establishment
- briefly shut down assembly lines
Indigenous veterans
Indigenous Veterans Day is observed on November 8, to recognize the courage and sacrifice of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in military service.
It is estimated that over 12,000 Indigenous people volunteered their services on the front lines of every conflict that Canada has been involved in.
The First Nations, Inuit and Métis have a long and proud tradition of military service to Canada, which continues today with Indigenous people serving in Canadian Armed Forces around the world — from NATO duties in Europe, to United Nations peace operations.
On the home front, Indigenous people donated large amounts of money, clothing and food to worthy causes. Indigenous women had important roles during conflicts — serving as nurses, air traffic controllers and radio operators.
On Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the important contributions of Indigenous peoples to protect rights and freedom in Canada, and we remember those who lost their lives for our country and those whose lives were forever changed.
Learn more about Indigenous veterans.
Ceremonies
Queen’s Park
You’re invited to attend our in-person ceremony to honour veterans and active service members.
Date: November 11, 2022
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Location: In front of the Ontario Legislative Building
111 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A2
You may also watch the ceremony live on YouTube.
Program
- Welcome
- Arrival of platform party
- O Canada
- Act of Remembrance
- Last Post
- Two minutes of silence
- 21-gun salute
- Lament
- Reveille/Rouse
- Blessing
- Remarks
- The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
- Brigadier-General J.J. Major, Commander 4th Canadian Division
- In Flanders Fields
- Prayer
- Commitment to Remember
- Wreath laying
- God Save the King
Wreaths
The following groups and organizations contributed wreaths for the ceremony:
- Archives of Ontario
- Army Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS Ontario Command)
- Canadian Nursing Sisters Association - Toronto Branch
- Consulate General of Afghanistan
- Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda
- Consulate General of Australia
- Consulate General of Bangladesh
- Consulate General of Bulgaria
- Consulate General of Costa Rica
- Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia
- Consulate General of Czech Republic
- Consulate General of Denmark
- Consulate General of the Dominican Republic
- Consulate General of France
- Consulate General of Germany
- Consulate General of Greece
- Consulate General of Hungary
- Consulate General of India
- Consulate General of Indonesia
- Consulate General of Ireland
- Consulate General of Israel
- Consulate General of Japan
- Consulate General of Korea
- Consulate General of Kosovo
- Consulate General of Netherlands
- Consulate General of New Zealand
- Consulate General of Pakistan
- Consulate General of Paraguay
- Consulate General of Philippines
- Consulate General of Poland
- Consulate General of Serbia
- Consulate General of South Africa
- Consulate General of Sri Lanka
- Consulate General of Sweden
- Consular Corps Association of Toronto
- Consulate General of Turkey
- Consulate General of United Kingdom
- Consulate General of United States of America
- Malayan Volunteers Group
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Naval Club of Toronto
- Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
- Ontario Association of Portuguese Veterans
- Ontario Police Memorial Foundation
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ontario Provincial Police Association
- Ontario Sikhs & Gurdwara Council
- Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists
- Sikh Motorcycle Club of Ontario
- Soldiers' Aid Commission
- Taipei Economic & Cultural Office Toronto
- The Family of RSM George McKiel
- The NATO Association of Canada
- The Royal Commonwealth Society - Toronto Branch
- The Salvation Army
- Toronto Fire Services
- Toronto Police Association
- Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association
- True Patriot Love Foundation
- United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada
- United Sikhs
- Warriors Day Parade Council
With sincere thanks to
- Legislative Assembly of Ontario
- Regional Cadet Support Unit (Central), Canadian Armed Forces
- Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command
- The soldiers, sailors and aircrew of 4th Canadian Division/Joint Task Force (Central), Canadian Armed Forces
- Toronto Paramedic Services
- Toronto Police Services
- Toronto Transit Commission
- Valour Canada
The Poppy Design is a registered trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion, Dominion Command and is used under license.
Local ceremonies
Visit your municipality’s website to find out if they’re hosting a ceremony near you.
You may also find Remembrance Day services at schools, colleges, universities, places of worship, or through your local veteran’s organization.