• Watch the Old City Hall Remembrance Day ceremony that took place on November 11, 2022.

 

 

John Tory Mayor of Toronto - Proclamation

Remembrance Week

November 5 – 11, 2022

WHEREAS during Remembrance Week, we honour all Canadian veterans who have served and continue to serve in upholding the peace and freedoms we enjoy today.

Each year, we pause on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, to remember those who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms. During Remembrance Week, I encourage residents to support the Royal Canadian Legion and its programs by purchasing and wearing a poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

This year marked the 80th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. On August 19, 1942, Allied forces undertook a raid on the French coastal town of Dieppe, known as Operation Jubilee. Nearly 5,000 of the 6,000 troops that landed at Dieppe as part of the raid were Canadian. This raid resulted in the highest number of Canadian casualties on a single day during the Second World War. It was the most deadly day for soldiers with a connection to Toronto, in our history.

During this week, we reflect on the more than 10,000 Toronto residents who gave their lives in 20th century wars and conflicts, as well as those who returned home with grievous injuries or disorders.  We also remember their families who supported them during war efforts that challenged our security and freedoms.

The City of Toronto acknowledges the bravery, courage and sacrifices of all Canadians who have fought for the peace and freedom we enjoy today in times of war, in peacekeeping operations, in service at home, and in times of disaster. In the face of many global challenges, we continue to honour both those who have served, those who continue to serve, and their families on the home front.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor John Tory, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim November 5 – 11, 2022 as “Remembrance Week” in the City of Toronto.

Here are some of the commemorative activities planned for Remembrance Week.

  • Mayor John Tory proclaims Remembrance Week – November 5 to 11
  • The Mayor proclaims Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8.
  • The City of Toronto sign will be lit in red on November 11. A poppy insert is added to the Toronto Sign throughout Remembrance Week.
  • All Toronto Transit Commission vehicles will stop for two minutes on November 11 at 11 a.m. In addition, “Lest We Forget” window cards will be placed in TTC vehicles prior to Remembrance Day.
  • Commemorative posts will be available on the City of Toronto’s official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout Remembrance Week.
  • Virtual content will be posted on social media throughout the week. The City’s YouTube channel and local television stations will have a live broadcast of the Remembrance Day ceremony taking place on November 11 at 10:55 am.

Land Acknowledgement

National Anthem: O Canada

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.

Bugler: “The Last Post”

Two Minutes of Silence

Piper: “Lament”

Bugler: “The Rouse”

Act of Remembrance

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.

Commitment to Remember

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.

Remarks

Reading or Singing of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae (and/or singing of the Hymn to Freedom)

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.

At Old City Hall only: Address by Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

Presentation of Wreaths

Benediction

Royal Anthem: “God Save The King”

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

Learn more about each element of the City’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.

 

Here is how you can commemorate Remembrance Day:

The following organizations join the City of Toronto in laying wreaths at City of Toronto Cenotaphs on November 11, 2022:

They Remember

  • The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
  • The Parliament & Government of Canada
  • The Legislative Assembly & Government of Ontario
  • Veterans Affairs Canada
  • Royal Canadian Navy
    • HMCS Toronto
    • HMCS York
  • 32 Brigade Group, Canadian Army
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Royal Canadian Legion

  • District D, Zone1,3 and 5
  • Royal Canadian Legion Branches and Ladies Auxiliary

Youth of Toronto

  • Members of the Toronto Youth Cabinet

Consular Corps

Consulates General and Consulates of:

  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Ghana
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Serbia
  • South Africa
  • Sweden
  • Turkiye
  • United Kingdom

Veterans’ Organizations

  • 36th Ulster Division Old Comrades Association
  • Airborne 2nd Forward Observation Unit Artillery
  • Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada
  • City of Toronto Honour Guard
  • Commissionaires, Great Lakes Division
  • Naval Association of Canada, Toronto Branch
  • Naval Club of Toronto
  • Republic of Vietnam Veteran Association of Ontario
  • Royal Canadian Air Force, Wing #430 ‘Warsaw’
  • Royal Canadian Military Institute
  • The Irish Regiment of Canada
  • TCDSB Veterans
  • Toronto Firefighters War Veterans Association
  • Veterans R22eR

Cadet Corps

  • Royal Canadian Army Cadets
  • Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps
  • Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron

City Divisions, School Boards, Agencies & Corporations

  • Toronto Public Service
  • Toronto District School Board
  • Toronto Catholic District School Board
  • Conseil scolaire catholique Mon Avenir
  • Heritage Toronto
  • Toronto Community Housing Corporation
  • Toronto Police Service
  • Toronto Fire Services
  • Toronto Paramedic Services
  • Toronto Hydro
  • Toronto Parking Authority
  • Toronto Public Library
  • Toronto Transit Commission

Labour Organizations

  • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113
  • COTAPSA
  • CUPE Local 79
  • Ontario Crown Attorneys Association
  • Ontario Teachers’ Federation
  • Public Service Alliance of Canada
  • Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
  • Toronto City Employees Union Local 416
  • Toronto Professional Firefighters Association

Community Organizations

  • Canadian Red Cross
  • Canadian Serbian Alliance
  • Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
  • Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy
  • East York Historical Society
  • East York Masons
  • Historica Canada – The Memory Project
  • IODE Toronto
  • Knights of Columbus
  • Loyal Orange County Lodge of Toronto
  • Salvation Army
  • Scouts Canada
  • Sons & Daughters of Ireland Protestant Association
  • St. Andrew’s Society of Toronto
  • St. George’s Society of Toronto
  • Thiepval Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1916 – Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  • True Patriot Love Foundation
  • Vimy Foundation

 

Lest We Forget