English
Around one hundred people gathered at Place du Canada in downtown Montreal on Wednesday for a Remembrance Day ceremony honouring Canada’s war veterans and those who lost their lives in military service. The event brought together dignitaries, military representatives and members of the public under clear skies on November 11, 2026.
Ceremony Marks the Moment Fighting Ceased
Shortly before 11 a.m., a military parade moved through the area, followed by the national anthem. Bells rang from nearby St. George’s Anglican Church as some in the crowd sang along. At 11 a.m., attendees observed two minutes of silence, marking the exact moment fighting ended in the First World War on November 11, 1918.
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A 21-gun salute echoed across the square, sending flocks of birds into the sky. Organizers had warned beforehand that the blank rounds could cause temporary hearing discomfort but posed no danger. Bagpipes played near the war memorial as the salute concluded.
Wreaths Laid in Honour of the Fallen
Dignitaries and military representatives took turns laying wreaths at the base of the monument. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada laid one on behalf of the city. Some offered military salutes while others bowed their heads in silence.
One wreath honoured four soldiers killed in a training accident at CFB Wainwright, Alberta, the previous month. A grass fire swept through a training area during that incident, injuring 39 others. Retired lieutenant-colonel Colin Robinson noted the tragedy as a reminder of the risks military service carries. “Serving in the military is inherently risky. What happened in Wainwright last month is another reminder,” he said. The wreaths, decorated with red poppies, purple ribbons and autumn leaves, gradually lined the base of the memorial.
Speakers Reflect on the Cost of Conflict
Colonel Lisa Pacarynuk, chaplain general of the Canadian Armed Forces, addressed the crowd during the ceremony. She spoke of lives cut short, families separated and the lasting wounds of war. “Their experiences remind us that peace is precious, that freedom must never be taken for granted and that the consequences of conflict extend far beyond the battlefield,” she said.
Robinson also reflected on the broader lessons of history. He drew parallels between the events leading to the two world wars and current global tensions. “These things can spiral out of control relatively quickly,” he said. He added that awareness of history could help prevent future conflicts. Robinson also noted the passing of Second World War veterans. When he joined his regiment in 1989, he regularly met those veterans. “You don’t realize that it’s going to go away,” he said.
Also attending was Pierre Saint-Louis, a former Canadian Navy and infantry member who later became a lawyer. He had tears in his eyes as he described what the ceremony meant to him. He said remembrance should also mean actively supporting living veterans and the families of those currently serving overseas. As the ceremony ended near noon, many attendees placed their red poppies at the foot of the memorial. Similar ceremonies took place across Canada on Wednesday.
