TORONTO – Crowds gathered under gray skies and occasional rain at ceremonies across Ontario on Friday to pay tribute to those who died fighting for Canada, with many noting the importance of these efforts at a time when freedom and democracy are threatened abroad.
Based in the Ontario Legislature, Premier Doug Ford spoke about the conflict in Ukraine while highlighting the sacrifices of service members past and present.
“Russia’s illegal invasion of the people of Ukraine shows us all the dangers that still exist in this world,” said Ford, who spoke as cannons were periodically fired from a distance as part of a 21-gun salute.
“While we are here, brave Canadian service people are deployed around the world, providing vital support to our friends and allies.”
In a separate ceremony in downtown Toronto, Mayor John Tory also addressed conflicts overseas when he paid tribute to those who served.
“Together, we honor the many who have given their lives in service to our country to protect the peace and freedoms we enjoy today that are increasingly threatened in other parts of the world,” he said.
Tory noted that the city has lost nearly 10,000 Torontonians in war, peacekeeping operations and other missions around the world.
“We must not let the years fade our memories of the bravery and humanity of our veterans,” he told the crowd that packed the area around a cenotaph at Old City Hall.
Veteran John Dufort, 72, said it was “great” to see so many people at Toronto’s Remembrance Day ceremony, noting he hadn’t seen crowds this size since before the pandemic.
Dufort, who said he is the only member of his family who has served in the military, expressed a desire for the public to maintain the act of remembrance in the future.
“As you can see here today, the veterans that have been here are getting fewer and fewer every year,” he said.  “It is very important to pass it on to young people to promote it for the act of remembrance.”
Marilyn Lawson-Dickinson, a retired cadet with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, also noted the crowd, saying it was “phenomenal” to see so many people come together to stop in an act of remembrance.
“You can’t forget what happened in the past,” he said.  “Because if you forget what happened, there’s a good chance it will happen again.  We are Canada because of the things our ancestors did.”
Lawson-Dickinson, 61, said she signed up for the Air Force when women were allowed to join and also recalled her family’s long history of service beginning with her grandfather in World War I and her uncles in World War II.
“They stood up for Canada,” she said, adding that her husband also served in the military for eight years.  “Canada goes out of its way to help people and that will continue, and we just have to remember that.”
Alistair Stark, 73, was also among the veterans in attendance and remembered the service of his relatives.
“(My father) landed on D-Day, I’m very proud of him,” Stark said.  “My uncle served in Italy for the Black Watch (of the Royal Highland Regiment) and was killed just outside Monte Cassino.”
Stark said he served in the military reserves for 16 years as part of the 48th Highlanders.
Jo Ann Tuskin, who attended the ceremony at the Ontario legislature, said she wanted to show her gratitude for those who served, including her family members.
“Thank you,” he said, “for all the service of all the men and women over the years to make Canada the great country it is.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 11, 2022.