Ottawa prepares to honour the nation's veterans this Tuesday, November 11, as the city observes Remembrance Day with solemn ceremonies and modified business hours. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony will serve as the focal point for commemorations at the National War Memorial in the heart of the capital.
Ceremony Details and Schedule
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony will commence at approximately 10:30 a.m. with the veterans' march through downtown Ottawa. The ceremony will conclude with the veterans' march-past at 11:30 a.m., providing a powerful tribute to those who served.
In a dramatic aerial display, Canadian Armed Forces CF-18 Hornets and a Black Hawk helicopter will conduct a flyover of the National War Memorial and the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces Ottawa at 11:05 a.m. This moving spectacle will honour the fallen from above as ceremonies continue below.
Weather conditions are expected to reflect the solemn nature of the day, with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout the ceremony. Scattered flurries are forecast for the early morning, tapering off by early afternoon.
Beyond the national ceremony, Royal Canadian Legion branches across Ottawa will host their own Remembrance Day ceremonies, allowing communities throughout the city to participate in local commemorations.
Traffic and Transportation Impacts
Significant road closures will affect downtown Ottawa from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday due to the National Remembrance Day Ceremony. Major streets including Elgin Street from Laurier Avenue to Wellington Street, Wellington Street from Rideau Street/Sussex Avenue to Bank Street, and Metcalfe Street between Albert and Wellington streets will be closed to vehicular traffic.
Additional closures include Queen Street between O'Connor and Wellington streets, and Queen Elizabeth Driveway between Somerset Street and Laurier Avenue West. Intermittent road closures will also be in effect between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the area bounded by Nicholas Street to the east, Laurier Avenue West to the south, Elgin Street to the west, and Wellington/Rideau streets to the north as police escort parade participants.
OC Transpo and Para Transpo will maintain regular transit service on Remembrance Day, though some detours will be necessary due to ceremony-related road closures. Transit officials encourage residents to use the travel planner to arrange their trips in advance, particularly those planning to attend downtown ceremonies.
Retail and Business Operations
Under Ottawa's Remembrance Day bylaw, most larger retail businesses and grocery stores will remain closed until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. This closure requirement ensures that the morning hours, when ceremonies take place, remain focused on remembrance and reflection.
Certain exemptions apply to essential services, including pharmacies and gas stations, though residents are advised to verify individual business hours before visiting. The delayed opening allows businesses to participate in morning ceremonies while still serving customers later in the day.
As Ottawa pauses to remember the sacrifices of Canadian veterans, these operational adjustments help ensure that proper respect is paid while maintaining essential services throughout the capital region.
