Lest we forget: what to do on Remembrance Day in Toronto

The recent, tragic deaths of Canadian soldiers Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Warrant officer Patrice Vincent, both killed on Canadian soil, are stark reminders of the sacrifices, risks and contributions our military men and women make every day.

To recognize our military personnel and veterans, Brain Injury Blog TORONTO will focus on veterans and brain injury this month, starting with this guide on Remembrance Day events in Toronto. Military men and women do a lot for us. Let’s honour them and give a little back.

Saturday, Nov. 8

A Concert of Remembrance – Nine Sparrows Arts Foundation – 7:30 p.m. Yorkminister Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. (2 blocks north of St. Clair Ave.)

Queen’s Own Rifles Day – Casaloma – 10 a..m. – 5 p.m. 1 Austin Terrace (Spadina Ave. and Davenport Rd.) Casaloma will pay tribute to Remembrance Day with WWI and WWII re-enactments, displays and military exercises by the Queen’s Own Rifles. FREE admission to active and retired military with valid military ID, otherwise tickets are $14 for kids, $24 for adults.

Sunday, Nov. 9

Soldiers of WWI – Remembrance and Coffee Hour Display – 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 28 Fairlawn Avenue (Yonge, North of Lawrence) This Sunday, the church’s service will focus on the men and women of WWI, followed by a coffee hour with a photo display of military personnel from the period.

Memorial Service at the Mount Dennis Royal Canadian Legion – 2 – 3:15 p.m. 1050 Weston Road (South of Eglinton)

Tuesday, Nov. 11 – REMEMBRANCE DAY 

Legislative Buildings, Queens Park – 10:45 a.m. The Province of Ontario hosts a Remembrance Day service each year in front of the Ontario Veterans’ Memorial, which remembers the sacrifices of every man and woman in the province who served in the military during times of war and peace.

City of Toronto events

The City of Toronto runs Remembrance Day events at its civic centres in East York, Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough. 

You can also find city-run events at:

Fort York, – Strachan Military Cemetery on Garrison Common – 10:45 a.m.Public gathers at: Strachan Avenue Military cemetery (Front St. and Garrison St.) Starting at the west gates of Fort York, period uniformed military staff and standards bearers of the Imperial Daughters of the Empire (IODE) Toronto Municipal Chapter will lead a procession which will end at the Strachan Avenue Military Cemetry at 11 a.m. Fort York’s service will remember all Toronto soldiers who have fallen since the war of 1812.

Toronto City Hall – Cenotaph – 11 .a.m.60 Queen St. East (at Bay St.)

Kew Gardens – Cenotaph – 11 a.m. 2075 Queen St. East (at Lee St.)

Online Resources:

Fairlawn United Church has an online display of men and women of WWI from their church’s community here. They also challenge anyone who has pictures of people of WWI to find out more about that person. (Don’t be intimidated, they also provide useful links on how to do the research.)

Veterans Affairs Canada has a timeline of Canada’s roles in war and peacekeepingmissions since WWI. The site also allows you to send an e-card for peace to known email addresses, and has a social media Remembrance Dayguide. They are encouraging 11 minutes of social media silence on Nov. 11 at 11:01 a.m. 

Sources: City of Toronto + Veterans Affairs