Prime Minister Mark Carney led Canadians in paying tribute to the nation’s fallen soldiers and veterans on Remembrance Day, saying their courage and sacrifice continue to define Canada’s identity and values. Speaking at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Carney called it “a day of reflection and gratitude for those who gave everything so that we could live in freedom and peace.”
“Canada remembers their heroic service,” Carney said during the ceremony, his voice solemn as he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “The men and women who served — in the trenches, in the skies, and at sea — showed us what true bravery looks like. Their legacy is not just in history books; it lives in the peace and democracy we uphold today.”
The ceremony drew hundreds of veterans, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and families of fallen soldiers. The traditional two minutes of silence was observed across the country, from Parliament Hill to schools and small-town cenotaphs, as Canadians paused to honour those who fought and died in wars, peacekeeping missions, and international operations.
Governor General Mary Simon, senior military officials, and veterans’ groups joined Carney in the national ceremony, which was marked by the laying of poppies and the playing of the Last Post.
Across the provinces, communities held their own commemorations — from candlelit vigils in Halifax and Winnipeg to memorial marches in Calgary and Vancouver. Many Canadians also took to social media, sharing photos and messages with the hashtag #LestWeForget.
This year’s Remembrance Day comes at a time when Canada is facing renewed debates over global peacekeeping and defence spending, issues Carney touched upon briefly. “Honouring the fallen means standing firm for peace and democracy today,” he said. “It means living the values they fought for.”
As the ceremony ended, the bells of the Peace Tower rang across downtown Ottawa — a solemn echo reminding Canadians that the freedom they enjoy was bought with the courage and sacrifice of those who never came home.