Ottawa Remembrance Day Draws Thousands, Marks 80 Years Since WWII’s End

Thousands of people attended a national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on Nov.11, as ceremonies were held across Canada to commemorate the country’s veterans who fought or lost their lives while serving in the military.

The national ceremony event in Ottawa began with a veterans’ march to the National War Memorial at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony proceedings began around 10:50 a.m., following the arrival of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Silver Cross Mother Nancy Payne, and Chief Justice Richard Wagner, who stood in for Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon.

“On this Remembrance Day, we honour those who gave everything to protect the peace and freedoms we cherish today,” Simon said in a Nov. 11 statement.

“As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we remember all the courageous Canadians who left behind their homes and their families to fight for a better tomorrow. They faced the horrors of war, and they endured the silence of loss.”

Wagner stood in for Simon at the ceremony while she is recovering in hospital from a respiratory virus. Wagner also serves as deputy governor general.

Two minutes of silence were observed at 11 a.m., followed by the laying of wreaths at the National War Memorial by dignitaries, including Carney.

“In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, remembrance is also vigilance. Our sovereignty and our security, and those of our allies, are not guaranteed. The women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces protect them every single day,” Carney said in a video posted to X on Nov. 11.

“Today, as we pause to remember those acts of heroic service, we remember that our rights, our freedoms, our way of life were fought for and are won every day by Canadians who answer the call. Lest we forget.”

This year’s Silver Cross Mother is Nancy Payne, whose 32-year-old son Corp. Randy Payne was killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan in April 2006. Payne placed a wreath at the National War Memorial during the Nov. 11 ceremony on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the military service.

‘Pause to Remember’

Veteran Affairs Minister Jill McKnight, Defence Minister David McGuinty, and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree released a joint statement marking Remembrance Day, recognizing the sacrifices made by Canadians who have served.

“On this Remembrance Day, we honour all Veterans and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other Canadian police services from across the country,” the ministers said. “We pause to remember the places and moments where their courage and commitment helped shape our country.”

They noted that while Canadians fought in conflicts in Europe, Asia, and across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans generations ago, in more recent decades, CAF members and police have served in military, peace support, and humanitarian operations in the Persian Gulf, the Balkans, Africa, Afghanistan, and throughout the Americas.

“Today and always, we recognize the enormous sacrifices made by Canadians of every background who have worn the uniform and given their lives while serving. We honour them, we mourn them and we renew our enduring gratitude and commitment to them and their families.”

Jennifer Cowan and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.