~ “Lest We Forget” :A Reader’s Guide to 20 Ontario Remembrance Day Ceremonies ~

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, communities across Ontario gather to honour those who served and those who never came home. Below is an easy-to-read guide to 20 Ontario ceremonies, large and small, so you can plan where to stand in silence on November 11, “Lest We Forget“. (Times and programs are based on the most recent official posts and municipal notices; always check the host page closer to the day for any changes.)

The National Moment — Ottawa

Ottawa (National War Memorial, Elgin & Wellington)
Canada’s signature service is organized by the Royal Canadian Legion. The program typically begins around 10:30–10:45 a.m. and follows a familiar order, Veterans’ March, Last Post, two minutes of silence at 11:00, wreaths, and a march-past. If you can’t be there, it’s usually livestreamed nationally. (Lest We Forget)

Greater Toronto Area

Toronto (Old City Hall Cenotaph, 60 Queen St W) (Lest We Forget)
The City’s civic ceremony draws a large crowd at Old City Hall, with the 48th Highlanders’ “Silent Sentries” standing vigil and a livestream for those watching from home. Recent city notices list a 10:45 a.m. start.

Mississauga (Civic Centre Community Memorial, Celebration Square) (Lest We Forget)
Mississauga hosts a well-attended civic service at the Community Memorial on Celebration Square. The City’s notice set the 2024 ceremony at 10:30 a.m., a pattern expected again.

Oshawa (Memorial Park Cenotaph, 110 Simcoe St S) (Lest We Forget)
Led by Royal Canadian Legion Branches 43 and 637, Oshawa’s ceremony begins around 10:45 a.m., with a televised broadcast for the region.

Southwestern Ontario

London (Victoria Park Cenotaph) (Lest We Forget)
The City of London’s remembrance ceremony runs about 10:45–11:20 a.m. at the downtown cenotaph, following the veterans’ parade into the park.

Windsor (City Hall Square Cenotaph) (Lest We Forget)
Windsor’s official service at City Hall Square is coordinated with the Veterans Memorial Services Committee; the city advised a ~10:55 a.m. service start in 2024.

Kitchener (Parade to Duke St. Cenotaph) (Lest We Forget)
Branch 50 (Fred Gies) forms up on Ontario Street at 10:15 a.m., steps off at 10:30, and the cenotaph service begins around 10:45. An accessible, community-wide ceremony in the core.

Waterloo (Waterloo Cenotaph, next to City Hall) (Lest We Forget)
Waterloo’s civic ceremony has recently begun at 10:30 a.m., with a city livestream for those unable to attend in person.

Guelph (Sleeman Centre & Cenotaph observances, Branch 234) (Lest We Forget)
Guelph’s programming includes commemorations coordinated by John McCrae Memorial Branch 234, with ceremony elements based downtown and at memorial sites.

Central Ontario / Simcoe & Area

Barrie (Memorial Square Cenotaph) (Lest We Forget)
Barrie’s downtown cenotaph hosts the civic ceremony, with details posted by the City each fall and a cadet vigil the evening before and morning of Nov 11.

Angus (Edward MacDonald Branch 499 & Cenotaph on Queen St.) (Lest We Forget)
Branch 499 leads a parade from the Legion (15 Fraser St) to the cenotaph for the service, typically around 10:30–10:45 a.m.

Eastern Ontario

Kingston (Cross of Sacrifice, Macdonald Park) (Lest We Forget)
Kingston’s civic ceremony at the Cross of Sacrifice begins about 10:45 a.m., with associated road closures near King & Barrie.

Peterborough (Citizens’ War Memorial, Confederation Square)
Branch 52 hosts the parade (stepping off around 10:00 a.m.) and the cenotaph service that follows—one of the city’s most attended civic moments.

Northern Ontario

Thunder Bay (Waverley Park Cenotaph)
Thunder Bay gathers at Waverley Park for its Nov 11 service; recent coverage noted crowds near 1,000 and the city highlighting remembrance with memorial banners across key sites.

Greater Sudbury (Arena service & Memorial Park Cenotaph)
The city’s long-running format includes an indoor service at Sudbury Arena and wreath placement at Memorial Park.

Stratford & the Perth County Seat

Stratford (Cenotaph in Memorial Gardens, Veterans Drive)
Stratford’s ceremony includes a parade from the Armouries to the cenotaph, community wreath-laying from 10:00 a.m., and the formal service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Recent local reporting details music, readings, and broadcast options.

Kawarthas

Kinmount (Main St. Cenotaph) – 10:15 a.m. ceremony at the Main Street cenotaph.
Bobcaygeon (Cenotaph) – 10:30 a.m. service; refreshments at the Legion.
Oakwood (Oakwood Cenotaph, 1010 Eldon Rd) – 10:30 a.m. ceremony.
Coboconk (Branch service, 2916 County Rd 48) – 10:50 a.m. ceremony; light luncheon after.

How to use this guide

Confirm before you go. Municipal and Legion pages post final timings, road closures, and accessibility notes in the week leading up to Nov 11. The Legion also maintains a Canada-wide ceremony finder you can search by community.

Arrive early. Many ceremonies ask the community to assemble 15–30 minutes before 11:00 a.m., especially if there’s a parade step-off from a nearby street or armoury. City notices for Toronto (Old City Hall), Kitchener (Branch 50), and Kingston (Cross of Sacrifice) all reflect these earlier start times.

Know the flow. Most services follow a similar arc: a parade (where applicable), the Last Post, two minutes of silence at 11:00, the Rouse, the Act of Remembrance, prayers, and wreath-laying. Ottawa’s national program is a good template for what you’ll experience locally.

Accessibility & viewing. Larger ceremonies (Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Waterloo) often provide livestreams and designated viewing zones; check the host page or social posts for details.

Bring respect, not rush. Give yourself time for parking and street closures, Kingston, Toronto, and others close roads around the cenotaphs for safety and procession routes.

Why these places matter

From the capital’s National War Memorial to small-town stones in Kinmount or Oakwood, cenotaphs are the physical memory of sacrifice. Cities like Thunder Bay and Windsor wrap the ceremony in broader community remembrance, banners, vigils, and educational moments, so the story reaches beyond a single morning. Whether you’re at a major civic service in Toronto, sharing quiet minutes in Angus after the Branch 499 parade, or watching Waterloo’s livestream from home, you are part of a province-wide promise: we will remember them.

Quick reference (alphabetical)

• Angus — Parade from RCL Branch 499 to cenotaph; 10:30–10:45 a.m. start typical.
• Barrie — Memorial Square cenotaph; city page updates details; cadet vigil noted in 2024.
• Guelph — Branch 234 commemorations and Sleeman Centre programming.
• Kingston — Cross of Sacrifice, ~10:45 a.m. ceremony; area road closures.
• Kitchener — Parade 10:30 a.m.; service 10:45 a.m. at Duke St. cenotaph.
• London — Victoria Park cenotaph, ~10:45–11:20 a.m.
• Mississauga — Celebration Square Community Memorial, 10:30 a.m.
• Oshawa — Memorial Park cenotaph, 10:45 a.m.; TV broadcast info posted.
• Ottawa — National ceremony, ~10:30–10:45 a.m. start.
• Peterborough — Branch 52 parade and service at Confederation Square.
• Stratford — Parade from Armouries; formal service 10:30 a.m. at the cenotaph.
• Thunder Bay — Waverley Park cenotaph service.
• Toronto — Old City Hall civic service, 10:45 a.m.; livestream.
• Waterloo — 10:30 a.m. at Waterloo Cenotaph; livestream.
• Windsor — City Hall Square cenotaph; official city service ~10:55 a.m.
• Kinmount — 10:15 a.m. at Main St. cenotaph.
• Bobcaygeon — 10:30 a.m. at the cenotaph.
• Oakwood — 10:30 a.m. at Oakwood Cenotaph (1010 Eldon Rd).
• Coboconk — 10:50 a.m. at Branch (2916 County Rd 48).
• Barrie (note on updates) — City updates times/route each fall on the Remembrance Day page.