Torontonians gather downtown to honour war veterans on Remembrance Day

A crowd of uniformed service members, veterans and community members gathered at Old City Hall in Toronto on Monday morning to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. for Remembrance Day. 

The service was one of many held at cenotaphs and public spaces across the city to honour veterans and those who have died in combat. 

"Let us together hold tight the memories of those who gave everything, and let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of a peaceful and just future for all," said Mayor Olivia Chow, speaking at Old City Hall. 

Silent sentries from the 48th Highlanders of Canada stood vigil at the cenotaph, wearing uniforms from different historical periods. The ceremony was live-streamed on YouTube. 

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association conducted a flypast with a symbolic "missing man formation" over Old City Hall at 11:05 a.m.

The Harvards were used to train members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and other air forces for air combat in the Second World War, the city said. 

Ceremonies in Toronto began Monday morning with a sunrise observance at Prospect Cemetery on St. Clair Avenue West. 

Chow and Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles lay wreaths at the 96th annual service. 

About 5,300 Canadian soldiers and allies are buried at Prospect Cemetery. 

"Our minds reflect on the thousands of soldiers of different faiths, cultures and identities who fought and died together, yet ultimately alone," said John Monahan, president of Mount Pleasant Group, which operates Prospect Cemetery. 

He added, "Our gratitude for what they did is beyond measure and we will never forget."

In Brampton, Meadowvale Cemetery also held a sunrise ceremony at 8 a.m. 

This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, 10 years since the end of the Canadian peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

Canadian solders played "a critical role in the liberation of Europe," helping to end the Second World War, Premier Doug Ford said at a ceremony at Queen's Park on Monday. 

"Our brave Canadian service members have always been on the front lines, defending our freedoms," Ford said. "Today we honour the soldiers, the heroes who never returned home." 

An exhibit outlining the history of the war in Afghanistan as it relates to Toronto is on display at city hall until Nov. 11. 

This year, the University of Toronto is observing 100 years since the completion of Soldiers' Tower, a bell and clock tower at the university's downtown campus. 

The tower is a memorial to the 628 students, faculty, staff and alumni who died serving in the First World War, and to the 557 people affiliated with the university who died in the Second World War.  

The school held a remembrance service at 10:20 a.m. at Hart House Circle. 

Students and staff from the Claude Watson School for the Arts in North York will host an assembly to honour veterans, which will include a woodwind ensemble, concert band and a performance about unity and peace sung by the entire school, according to the Toronto District School Board. 

The assembly started at 10:30 a.m. 

WATCH | North York students helping archive veterans' stories:

Toronto students interview veterans ahead of Remembrance Day

19 days ago

Duration 2:08

Students at a North York high school have been gaining a new perspective on what it means to mark Remembrance Day. As part of a school project, students have been interviewing veterans to learn more about their stories. CBC’s Britnei Bilhete has more.  

The Toronto Zoo hosted its 39th Remembrance Day ceremony at the zoo's Waterside Theatre, starting at 10:55 a.m. 

Veterans in uniform will receive free zoo admission and parking on Monday. 

Serving members in uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as police, fire and paramedic services, will also receive free admission and parking, according to the zoo's website. 

The general public will receive a 50 per cent discount on admission on Monday, the zoo said. 

At 11 a.m., the TTC paused all services for two minutes of silence. 

All current members of the Canadian Armed Forces in uniform, as well as war and peacekeeping veterans wearing military service medals or ribbons, can ride the TTC for free on Monday, the TTC said in a news release. 

Veterans, reservists and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces can also travel for free on GO Transit and UP Express on Monday. 

The Royal Canadian Legion has a tool on their website to help you find a Remembrance Day ceremony happening near you. 

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Toronto on Monday 

• Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St Clair Ave. W., at 8 a.m. 
   
• Meadowvale Cemetery, 7732 Mavis Rd., at 8 a.m. 
   
• University of Toronto, Hart House Circle, at 10:30 a.m. 
   
• Claude Watson School for the Arts, 130 Doris Ave., at 10:30 a.m. 
   
• Fort York National Historic Site - Strachan Avenue Military Burial Ground, 100 Garrison Rd., at 10:30 a.m.
   
• Old City Hall Cenotaph, 50 Queen St. W., at 10:45 a.m. 
   
• East York Civic Centre - Memorial Gardens, 850 Coxwell Ave., at 10:45 a.m. 
   
• Etobicoke Civic Centre Cenotaph, 399 The West Mall, at 10:45 a.m.
   
• York Cemetery Cenotaph, 160 Beecroft Rd., at 10:45 a.m. 
   
• Scarborough War Memorial, 2190 Kingston Rd., at 10:45 a.m. 
   
• York Civic Centre Cenotaph, 2700 Eglinton Ave. W., at 10:45 a.m. 
   
• Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd., at 10:55 a.m.

Road closures on Monday

• Bay Street from Albert Street to Richmond Street West.  
   
• Local access only to Albert Street from Bay Street southbound.
   
• Queen Street West from Bay Street to east of York Street.