A memorial service was conducted today at Place du Canada in downtown Montreal to pay tribute to Canadian veterans and honor those who gave their lives in service. The event featured a 21-gun salute and a flyover by helicopters from the 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
Crowds of spectators started arriving around 10:30 a.m., with the falling snow creating a somber atmosphere for the ceremony. Incoming Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada was present at the event.
Several roads were shut down to accommodate the ceremony, causing disruptions to traffic in the vicinity. The purpose of the ceremony, as stated by a federal government release, is to remember the sacrifices made by Canadians across generations in defense of their country and global peace during times of conflict.
In other parts of Quebec, similar ceremonies were held. In Quebec City, individuals had the opportunity to participate in a ceremony at the entrance to the Plains of Abraham. Premier François Legault and Ian Lafrenière, Quebec’s public security minister and minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, attended the event.
Additionally, the Je Me Souviens program has been educating students about Remembrance Day in Quebec schools since 2018 and has recently launched a new digital portal to further its mission of teaching students about Canada’s military history.