The City of Toronto invites residents to events across the city to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War and to honour all Canadian veterans for their courage and sacrifice while serving their country during times of war, military conflict and peace.
“It has been 100 years since the guns of the Great War fell silent but the act of remembrance remains crucially important. We must never forget the courage and sacrifice made by our veterans,” said Mayor John Tory. “I encourage all Toronto residents to take a moment this week to honour all those who have served our country and all those who continue to serve to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today.”
Great War Book of Remembrance dedication
Earlier today, Mayor Tory dedicated a book of remembrance to the more than 3,200 people who died during the First World War and were members of Toronto-based regiments. The book will be available for public viewing on Sunday, November 11 in the City Hall rotunda.
Coronation Park rededication
On November 10 at 10:30 a.m., Mayor Tory will join the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, members of the Canadian Armed Forces including Colonel Dan Stepaniuk, Commander of 32 Canadian Brigade Group, and the Commonwealth Consular Corps for a rededication ceremony of Coronation Park (711 Lake Shore Blvd. W.). Coronation Park is an important living war memorial that recently underwent Phase 1 of renovations to restore its unique commemorative function. More information about the park and the renovations is available at http://www.toronto.ca/coronationpark.
Canadian Armed Forces parade
Starting at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, November 11, 500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces will parade from Union Station north on University Avenue to symbolize the return of soldiers from the First World War. The parade will split in half at Dundas Street, where 250 members of 32 Brigade will march east to witness the City’s Remembrance Day ceremony at Old City Hall.
Remembrance Day ceremonies
Residents are invited to attend one of several Remembrance Day ceremonies around the city. Starting at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, November 11, services will be held at Old City Hall, East York Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, Fort York National Historic Site, Toronto Centre for the Arts (North York) and York Civic Centre. The Old City Hall service will also be livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/thecityoftoronto
Bells of Peace
At 4:56 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, organizations in Toronto will ring bells 100 times to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. Residents are encouraged to listen for the powerful sound which symbolizes peace. This initiative, called Bells of Peace, is led by the Royal Canadian Legion, in partnership with the Government of Canada.
Information about the City’s Remembrance Day events is available at http://www.toronto.ca/LestWeForget.
About the Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces presence in Toronto includes HMCS York, the 4th Canadian Division Headquarters, and 32 Canadian Brigade Group (32 CBG) the Army Reserve in Toronto, the GTA and Niagara. With more than 2700 soldiers in 13 Regiments, 32 CBG is made up of part-time soldiers plus a small cadre of Regular Force members who help plan and execute training. Since the late 1980s, nearly 1,000 individuals from the Brigade have deployed with NATO, the United Nations and on various operations including Afghanistan and Iraq. 32 CBG also assists Canadians at home during natural disasters most recently during the Ontario and Quebec flooding of 2017.
About the Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., Europe and Mexico. With close to 270,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches.
This news release is also available on the City of Toronto website at http://ow.ly/4fQC30mxgv3.
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