Hundreds gather at Ontario legislature for Remembrance Day ceremony

By The Canadian Press and News Staff

Hundreds of people gathered in steady but gently falling snow at the Ontario legislature to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Canada’s veterans on Remembrance Day.

Maj. Paul Comeault, the master of ceremonies, said that by remembering those men and women, Canadians recognize the significant difference they made to our democracy, our freedom and our future.

Brig.-Gen. Conrad Mialkowski says Canada is the true North, strong and free, thanks to those who fought to achieve peace.

He says current members of the Canadian Armed Forces draw a great deal of strength from walking in the footsteps of those who served the country with such distinction.

Premier Doug Ford says as Canadians pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, people should focus on what unites the country, rather than what divides it.

“Today, we pause for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our democracy, rights and freedoms,” Ford said in a release.

“As Ontarians and Canadians, Remembrance Day holds special meaning for each and every one of us. For some, it’s a family member or friend who answered the call of duty. For others, it’s the memory of a loved one lost in the conflicts of distant or recent memory. For still others, it’s as simple as wearing a poppy to remember those who gave their lives for our country and for our way of life.”

The ceremony took place at the Ontario Veterans’ Memorial, which next year will also be home to a memorial to honour veterans of the war in Afghanistan.

 

Similar scenes played out across the country at cenotaphs and memorials as the clock struck the 11th hour on Remembrance Day.

A crowd of thousands lined the wind-swept streets around the National War Memorial in Ottawa for the national ceremony. They arrived early, standing and watching a parade of veterans arrayed before the monument unveiled 80 years ago by King George VI.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Julie Payette were among those laying wreaths in memory of those who died serving Canada.

WATCH: Prime Minister Trudeau lays wreath at National War Memorial

Justin Trudeau lays wreath at National War Memorial during Remembrance Day ceremony
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa Monday morning, laid a wreath in memory of those who died serving Canada.
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    “They fought for the ideals of peace and to defend our liberties,” Payette said in a video message.

    “Many were wounded in their body and in their soul. Too many paid the ultimate price. We owe them an immense debt of gratitude. We must never forget their sacrifice and the terrible costs of war. Let us never take freedom for granted and stand up for equality and tolerance.”

    Trudeau echoed those sentiments in a separate statement as he credited those who served in uniform with having built peace, defended democracy and enabled countless people to live in freedom in Canada and around the world.

    “Today, we pay tribute to our veterans, to those who have been injured in the line of duty, and to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “They stood for liberty, and sacrificed their future for the future of others. Their selflessness and courage continue to inspire Canadians who serve today.”

    Hundreds gathered amid falling snow for a moving ceremony at Toronto’s Old City Hall Cenotaph.

    Toronto Mayor John Tory, while paying respect to those who have served this country, said Canada is “the envy of the world” where people from all walks of life can live in peace and harmony.

    “As the years wear on and we have fewer and fewer veterans here with us, it is hard to fathom the massive effort and impact these wars had on our city and on our country,” said Tory.

    “We remember them and we will always remember them, as we think of those who served with them and returned home to Canada, many with physical and psychological scars as a consequence of their service.”

    The sombre ceremony ended with a march down Queen Street West as Torontonians laid their poppies at the foot of the Cenotaph.

    Watch: Remembrance Day ceremony at Toronto’s Old City Hall Cenotaph

    Also present for the morning’s national ceremony was this year’s Silver Cross Mother, Reine Samson Dawe from near Kingston, Ont. Her youngest son, Capt. Matthew Dawe, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007 alongside five other Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter.

    She laid a wreath during the ceremony on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost children to war.

    Silver Cross Mother lays wreath at National War Memorial
    Mrs. Reine Samson Dawe, this year’s Silver Cross Mother, lays a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Her son, Captain Matthew J. Dawe, was killed in action in Afghanistan on July 4, 2007.
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      As the official ceremony came to a close, Payette, Trudeau and Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay shook hands with veterans, some of whom had red blankets draped over their laps and legs to stay warm in the biting cold.

      The leaders thanked the veterans for their service, echoing a message from the ceremony in which veterans young and old were called “authentic heroes,” deserving to be celebrated and thanked at every opportunity.

      “We are grateful to them for being the unifying inspiration of selflessness and dedication, reminding us of what being Canadian is all about,” Rabbi Reuven Bulka said during the ceremony.

      Watch the full ceremony from the National War Memorial below


      This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony followed a major event in France earlier this year marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when thousands of Canadian stormed the beaches of Normandy with their British and American allies to fight Nazi Germany.

      It also comes exactly 101 years after the end of the First World War.

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