The ceremony will begin at 10:55 a.m. on Thursday, November 11. View the programme below.
Remembrance Week
November 5 to 11, 2021
WHEREAS each year, we take time to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. During Remembrance Week, November 5 to 11, we honour and pay our respects to those who have fought and continue to fight for peace and the freedoms we enjoy today.
This year marks 100 years since the poppy has been used as a symbol of remembrance in Canada. In 1921, inspired by the words of John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields, Madame Anna Guérin of France suggested that poppies be distributed on Armistice Day as a means of raising funds for veterans while also remembering those who died in times of war.
This year, the City of Toronto proclaimed the Year of the Poppy, commemorating the centennial of Canadian organizations formally adopting the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. During Remembrance Week, everyone is encouraged to purchase and wear a poppy in remembrance as well as in support of the Royal Canadian Legion and its programs.
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.
The City of Toronto acknowledges the bravery, courage and sacrifices of all Canadian veterans who fought for the peace and freedom we enjoy today in times of war, in peacekeeping operations and service here at home including during the pandemic. In the face of the many challenges, we continue to honour those who have served and those who continue to serve and their families.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor John Tory, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim November 5 – 11, 2021 as “Remembrance Week” in the City of Toronto.
Remembrance Day ceremonies are being held across the city. Members of the public can watch a livestream of the City’s Remembrance Day ceremony, that will be available on the City’s YouTube Channel and on this page starting at 10:55 am on Thursday, November 11, 2021.
The Provincial guidelines now allow for greater capacity at Remembrance Day services. As a result, members of the public are welcome to attend a Remembrance Day service on Thursday November 11, 2021 at one of the following locations.
All ceremonies begin at 10:45 am:
A ceremony will also take place indoors in North York, where attendance is by invitation only.
Please note: Civic Centres are closed and washrooms will not be open to the public.
We encourage those in attendance to wear a mask or face covering where physical distancing of two metres cannot be maintained.
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.
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.
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.
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.
God Save our Gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God Save The Queen
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God Save The Queen
Learn more about each element of the City’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the following organizations at City of Toronto Cenotaphs on November 11, 2021:
Consulates General and Consulates of:
Here are some of the commemorative activities planned for Remembrance Week.
Here is how you can commemorate Remembrance Day: