One hundred and five years after the signing of the armistice that ended World War I, hundreds of serving soldiers, veterans and civilians gathered at Montreal’s Place du Canada on Saturday morning for the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Published at 2:29 p.m. Updated at 3:19 p.m.
Quebec Prime Minister François Legault, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller, and Quebec Minister responsible for First Nations and Inuit Relations Ian Lafrenière were in attendance front row Many dignitaries came to pay tribute to the veterans and especially those who have done so gave their lives on the field of honor.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Mayor Valérie Planté was present along with Prime Minister François Legault and his wife Isabelle Brais.
Current military personnel, veterans, cadets and civilians took part in this ceremony under a half-gray sky that brought out the iridescent colors of the trees of Place du Canada, where there is a cenotaph at the base of which several dozen wreaths were laid.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
There was time for reflection in the crowd as 21 cannons were fired and a Canadian Forces helicopter flew overhead, moving from south to north.
“We must not stop remembering our fathers, our grandfathers or the family members who gave their lives so that we could talk to each other,” confided Michael Mazepa, a man of Ukrainian origin who often attends this ceremony. It’s a little cold today, but it’s nothing compared to what they experienced at the front.”
In fact, the humidity and cold were biting and the crowd dispersed quite quickly just after midday when the ceremony ended. A few people went to photograph the wreaths at the base of the cenotaph or place their fabric poppy on one of the monument’s stone ledges.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Prime Minister François Legault
“It’s an obligation, a duty, to be here,” said retired Capt. Kenneth Ouellet, who spent 41 years in the reserves and is outgoing president of the Canadian Legion, Quebec Chapter. I am also proactive in helping the Legion and veterans integrate into the community, whether as volunteers or otherwise, because they have many skills. »
As per tradition, Prime Minister Legault came to make a short statement to the media.
Today is Remembrance Day and an opportunity to reflect on what war brings with it. We must always remember that war must be a last resort. But unfortunately there are situations where it cannot be avoided. At one point we thought there wouldn’t be any more, but when we look at what’s happening in Ukraine and in certain places around the world, we need our soldiers. And we must thank everyone who joins the army.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
The Prime Minister thought particularly of those who lost their lives, recalling the conversation he had a few minutes earlier with the representative of mothers at the ceremony, a woman who had lost her 28-year-old son. “It’s quite a sacrifice to preserve our freedom,” Mr. Legault said. That’s why today we must pay tribute to them and say thank you. »
Also in Montreal, the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste held its 26th commemoration on November 11 at the Maison Ludger-Duvernay. Four veterans were honored: Major General Frédéric Mariage, Lieutenant Colonel Gilles Brais, Captain Michel Boudrias and Corporal Denis Perrier, who received the Bene Merenti de Patria medal for exceptional service to the homeland.
“These former soldiers have dedicated their lives to protecting an essential value that we all value: freedom,” said Marie-Anne Alepin, President General of the SSJB.
Elsewhere in Canada
PHOTO BLAIR GABLE, Portal
In Ottawa, many people who attended the commemoration laid their poppies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the National War Memorial.
PHOTO JUSTIN TANG, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canadian Governor General Mary Simon greets members of the Canadian Armed Forces as they parade through the streets of the capital.
PHOTO JUSTIN TANG, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lays a wreath at the National War Memorial.
PHOTO JUSTIN TANG, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor was also among the dignitaries who came to pay tribute to Canadian soldiers who fought in the two world wars, the Korean War and many other conflicts in the decades that followed.
PHOTO LIAM RICHARDS, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Family and friends of Alfred and Louise Walters tie poppies to the Tree of Remembrance at Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon.
PHOTO STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY, THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Rev. Bob Jones, 92, was a Canadian Army chaplain for 20 years and was at the Fredericton Cenotaph to hear the names of all the fallen soldiers read out by officials and remember what they endured.
1/6
With the Canadian Press
Justin Trudeau honors veterans
In a statement marking Remembrance Day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Canadians to wear a poppy and observe two minutes of silence to honor fighting members of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as those who took part in peacekeeping missions, including training Ukrainian soldiers.
“For them, we must remain true to our values and never forget the sacrifices they made to protect us,” Mr. Trudeau said in a video posted on X.
In Ottawa, the Prime Minister shook hands with veterans and dignitaries during the commemoration ceremony at the National War Memorial.
With the Canadian Press