(Montreal and Ottawa) Several dignitaries, including the Premier of Quebec and the Mayor of Montreal, participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Montreal, others gathered in Ottawa.
Posted at 12:01 p.m.
Updated at 1:57 p.m.
Stéphane Blais and Laura Osman
The Canadian Press
Poppy in his buttonhole, Prime Minister François Legault paid tribute to those who fought under the flag Monday morning, in front of Marie-Reine-du-monde Cathedral.
“It’s important, they were courageous and we must remember these people,” said the Prime Minister, emphasizing that the world is not immune to major conflicts.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Quebec Premier François Legault and his wife Isabelle Brais lay a wreath alongside veteran Thomas Irvine during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Montreal, Monday, November 11, 2024.
It was thought for a while that there would be no more major wars. But when we look at what’s happening in Ukraine, when we look at what’s happening in the Middle East, we don’t want it, but it’s not impossible.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
Just before he spoke in front of the cathedral, hundreds of soldiers marched in front of him, at a steady pace, on René-Lévesque Boulevard.
The Prime Minister was notably accompanied by his wife Isabelle Brais and the Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière.
He, a former soldier who carried out several missions in different countries, recalled that more than 12,000 Indigenous people served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
This is a reality that is little known. During the First Great War, there were 4,000. It was one in four men in several communities who served as volunteers. It’s a big commitment and we want to emphasize it.
Ian Lafrenière, Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit
A little earlier, shortly after 11 a.m., dignitaries, including Mayor Valérie Plante, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, and Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, as well as members of the Canadian Armed Forces filed papers wreaths of flowers displaying red poppies at the foot of the cenotaph at Place du Canada.
Elsewhere in Canada
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. He was accompanied by the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, and this year’s National Mother of the Silver Cross, Maureen Anderson of New Brunswick.
PHOTO SEAN KILPATRICK, THE CANADIAN PRESS
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid a wreath at the National War Memorial.
Mme Anderson is representing the mothers of all military personnel killed in the line of duty this year. His two sons, Sergeants Ron and Ryan Anderson, fought in Afghanistan; they later died after battling, this time, post-traumatic stress disorder.
The mournful sound of Last call is also heard around countless other cenotaphs and monuments across the country Monday, as Canadians take a moment, “at 11 a.m. on the 11th of the 11th,” to pay silent tribute to all fallen service members.
PHOTO SEAN KILPATRICK, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canadian veterans march to the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, November 11, 2024.
The ceremonies will also honor members of the Canadian Armed Forces who continue to serve today.
“Throughout our history, the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces have protected our country,” Mr. Trudeau wrote in a publication on X. “Some have returned from combat forever transformed. Others stayed there. We will always be indebted to them and we will never forget. »
