Each year on November 11, the City of Toronto honours those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, with Remembrance Day ceremonies in locations across the city. More details will be shared in October.
Watch the 2025 Old City Hall ceremony online.
Arrive by 10:45 a.m.
Join the City of Toronto in honouring the courage, sacrifice and service of Canada’s fallen heroes. Wear a poppy and come together for a moment of collective reflection and gratitude in front of Old City Hall.
Kelly Jackson, City of Toronto Honour Guard, Parade Marshal
Aretha Phillip, Chief of Protocol, City of Toronto
Elmer Isler Singers under the direction of Lydia Adams and the 7th Regimental Band, Royal Canadian Artillery Band, under the direction of Captain Carina Lam.
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Bombardier Justin Couto, 7th Regimental Band, and the Royal Canadian Artillery Band.
Pipe Major (Warrant Officer) Alex Brown, 48th Highlanders of Canada
Mike Turner, District Poppy Chair, Royal Canadian Legion
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Read in English and French: Kowmitha Satkunarajan, Executive Director, Toronto Youth Cabinet
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Her Worship Mayor Olivia Chow
Special musical arrangement by Lydia Adams, Elmer Isler Singers
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The Honourable Edith Dumont
Jack Boeki, Warrant Officer (Retired), Toronto resident and Veteran of the Second World War
Sergeant Garren Doerksen, 618 Queen’s City Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
They died that we might live.
They fought their fight
And passed-beyond all sorrow and all pain.
But Love shall keep their memories ever bright.
Above the graves where their dead selves have lain
Flowers shall grow and greet the noonday sun
In bloom of beauty.
Our Immortal Dead,
So free in sacrifice, shall every one,
With nature blending, at the Dayspring’s head
Gather at last, and know the gift they gave
Was not in vain – that Freedom lifts her voice
Triumphant, as a tribute to the brave
Who died that she might live.
They shall rejoice,
Knowing the loved ones whom they left behind,
Safe in the heritage they fought to hold
For Canada. And in our hearts enshrined
Their names shall live, their glorious tale be told,
So long as this Dominion guards the Right.
Their arms upheld in that unequalled fight.
Lieutenant (N) (Andrew) Kun Young Lee, Chaplain, HMCS York
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Thank you to the following organizations and individuals, in addition to those listed above, for contributing to the ceremony:
Thank you to Metrolinx, for their support of the ceremony and the commemorative banners along the construction hoarding.
Arrive by 10:45 a.m.
Woon Chung, Parade Marshal, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10
Craig Oliver, Royal Canadian Legion
Cadet Noah St. Pierre, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
East York Collegiate Band and the Toronto Choral Society
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Petty Officer David Pottinger, CD and the HMCS York, Royal Canadian Navy
Jeff David, Toronto Pipes and Drums
Craig Oliver
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Corporal Isabelle McClearn, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Sergeant Finn Killey, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous,
Ils ont servi, donnant généreusement d’eux-mêmes.
Nous leur promettons, en dépit du temps qui passe,
De porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Réponse : Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth)
East York Collegiate Band and the Toronto Choral Society.
Leading Air Cadet Olivia Kirsh, 330 Danforth Tech, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Remember Them Well performed by First Light Scout Band
Rev. Alex Bisset, Chaplain, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10
East York Collegiate Band and the Toronto Choral Society
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Arrive by 10:45 a.m.
Governor General’s Horse Guards (GGHG), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Moore,and Regimental 2IC Major Patricia VanAuken and Regimental Sergeant Major Dmitri Iassinovski.
Marching contingents from 32 Combat Engineer Regiment (32 CER), 32 Service Battalion (32 Svc Bn) and members of their associated cadet corps.
Jamie Yoon, General Counsel and Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs, Mount Pleasant Group
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Sergeant Salvatore Di Cerbo and the Band of The Governor General’s Horse Guards.
Sergeant Salvatore Di Cerbo and the Band of The Governor General’s Horse Guards.
Linda Simone, District D Deputy Zone Commander, Royal Canadian Legion
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Melanie Yu, Toronto Youth Cabinet
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response by all:. We will remember them.
City Councillor Lily Cheng – (Ward 18 Willowdale)
Melanie Yu, Toronto Youth Cabinet
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Captain Monique Roumy, Padre and the Governor General’s Horse Guards.
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Arrive by 10:45 a.m.
Bobby Dafoe, Sergeant-at-Arms and Brian Budden, Parade Marshal, Royal Canadian Legion, Zone D5.
Cheryl Morton, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 614
CWO Alexander Ammirato, 1888 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps
Bel Canto Singers Choir
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Sailor Joseph Funk, HMCS York
Andrew Bennett, Toronto Fire Services Pipes and Drums
Henry Walsh
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Maximus, Student, Cliffside Public School
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Councillor Paul Ainslie – (Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood)
Ria, Grade 8 Student, Cliffside Public School
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Debbie McPhee
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Arrive by 10:40 a.m.
Attend a unique Remembrance Day Ceremony at one of Toronto’s oldest military burial grounds. Take part in honouring and remembering the service and sacrifice of all Canadians, from diverse backgrounds and communities, who came together to serve and defend their homes and country. Presented in partnership with the IODE Canada.
Arrive by 10:45 a.m.
Todd Reid, Sergeant-at-Arms, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643
Brenda Nash-Weech, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643
Reverend Maya Landell, Islington United Church
The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band & Julia Raffaghello, singer
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Sharon Dury, Trumpeter, The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band
Elizabeth Day, Piper
Brenda Nash Weech
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Zeena, Grade 8 Student, Bloorlea Middle School
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response:. We will remember them.
Atrina, Grade 8 Student, Bloorlea Middle School
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous,
Ils ont servi, donnant généreusement d’eux-mêmes.
Nous leur promettons, en dépit du temps qui passe,
De porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Réponse : Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Councillor Stephen Holyday (Ward 2 – Etobicoke Centre)
The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band & Julia Raffaghello, singer
Zeena and Atrina, Grade 8 Students, Bloorlea Middle School
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Reverend Maya Landell, Islington United Church
The Salvation Army Etobicoke Temple Band & Julia Raffaghello, singer
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
Arrive by 10:45 a.m.
David Ratcliff, Parade Marshal and Bruce Stewart, Sergeant-at-Arms.
Ed Corbett, President, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31
Matthew, York Memorial Collegiate Institute Student
York Memorial Collegiate Institute Choir
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Sailor Madeline Currie, HMCS York
Sailor Madeline Currie, HMCS York
Bruce Stewart
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Response by all: We will remember them.
Naman, York Memorial Collegiate Institute Student
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Response:. We will remember them.
Sahana, York Memorial Collegiate Institute Student
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous,
Ils ont servi, donnant généreusement d’eux-mêmes.
Nous leur promettons, en dépit du temps qui passe,
De porter le flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Réponse : Nous nous souviendrons d’eux.
Councillor Frances Nunziata (Ward 5 – York South – Weston)
York Memorial Collegiate Institute Choir
Christina, York Memorial Collegiate Institute Student
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Rev. Dr. Paulette Crooks-Drummond, Toronto Police Services Chaplain (12 Division)
York Memorial Collegiate Institute Choir
God Save our Gracious King
Long live our noble King
God Save The King
Send him victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The King
Thank you to the following organizations for contributing to the ceremony:
The following organizations join the City of Toronto in laying wreaths at City of Toronto Cenotaphs on November 11, 2025:
They Remember
Royal Canadian Legion
Youth of Toronto
Consular Corps
Consulates General of:
Veterans’ Organizations
Cadet Corps
City Divisions, Agencies & Commissions
Government of Canada
Government of Ontario
School Boards and Schools
Labour Organizations
Community Organizations
Private Business and Organizations
Lest We Forget
To commemorate two anniversaries: 80 years since the end of the Second World War and the 100th anniversary of the Toronto Cenotaph, a special commemorative lighting projection is on display nightly outside Old City Hall from November 5 to 11, from 6 to 11 p.m. The display repeats every 30 minutes.
The west façade of Old City Hall will be illuminated with a moving visual display, paying tribute to those who served — and to those who never returned home. The display features images from the City of Toronto Archives and the names of local heroes from Toronto’s Golden Book of Remembrance, honouring service members who gave their lives between 1939 and 1945.
Also featured are images and documents related to the history and construction of the Toronto Cenotaph at Old City Hall.
Artistic design by: AVA Animation and Visual Arts
Funding provided by:
