The Royal Canadian Legion successfully hosted Canada's 2025 National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, drawing a crowd of nearly 30,000 people despite the cold weather. This solemn event paid tribute to the nation's fallen heroes and marked several pivotal anniversaries, reinforcing the enduring importance of remembrance for all Canadians.
Significant Anniversaries and Solemn Tributes
The 2025 ceremony was particularly meaningful as it commemorated the 80th anniversaries of the end of the Second World War and the liberation of the Netherlands, alongside the 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Legion Dominion President Berkley Lawrence emphasized the profound significance of the day, stating that the freedoms Canadians enjoy today are a direct result of the sacrifices made by those who served.
The traditional ceremony commenced with the Veteran’s Parade, followed by marching contingents and a 21-gun salute. At precisely 11:00 am, the gathering fell silent for two minutes following the playing of The Last Post, a moment of profound reflection. A historic highlight was the inaugural fly-past of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Black Hawk helicopter In a powerful display of national unity, the Act of Remembrance was recited in English, French, and the Indigenous language of Inuktitut. The wreath-laying ceremony at the base of the National War Memorial was a central component of the event. Mrs. Nancy Payne, this year's National Silver Cross Mother, laid a wreath on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost children in military service. She honoured the memory of her son, Corporal Randy Joseph Payne, who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2006. The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries who also paid their respects, including the Deputy of the Governor General and Chief Justice of Canada, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner; Canada’s Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Mark Carney; the Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable Jill McKnight; and the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan. Representatives from youth organizations and various Veteran groups also participated in the wreath-laying, creating a comprehensive tribute to those who gave their lives for the country. Following the formal ceremony, hundreds of attendees continued the poignant tradition of placing their Poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This personal act of remembrance has become an integral part of the November 11th observances in Ottawa. The day of remembrance concluded with a striking visual display as thousands of animated Poppies, symbolizing Canada's Fallen, cascaded down the Senate building and the National Arts Centre. This moving projection remained illuminated until midnight, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the cost of freedom and ensuring the legacy of the fallen is honoured well into the night.Acts of Remembrance and Wreath-Laying
Continuing Traditions and Evening Displays
