Remembrance Day in Ottawa

OTTAWA – While the West Carleton War Memorial will not be hosting a Remembrance Day service this year, there will be several other ways of honouring Canada’s fallen heroes over the next week.

The West Carleton Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 616, will host its Remembrance Day service this Saturday (Nov. 5) starting at 1 p.m., as it usually does on the first Saturday before Remembrance Day (this allows members to attend the national memorial in Ottawa.

“The City of Ottawa is proud to honour all Canadians who have served their country in time of war,” city staff released in a statement today (Nov. 2).

The city will fly the Poppy Flag at select city facilities during Veterans’ Week from Saturday, Nov. 5 to Friday, Nov. 11. All flags at city facilities will fly at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Remembrance Day.

The National Remembrance Day Ceremony returns to normal operations this year and will take place at the National War Memorial on Friday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. Residents can attend in person or watch the ceremony live on the Royal Canadian Legion’s Facebook page and local and national news broadcasts.

Royal Canadian Legion branches host Remembrance Day ceremonies in communities across Ottawa. Visit the Royal Canadian Legion’s website for more information on events happening in your area.

“On Tuesday, Nov. 8, we also encourage you to take a moment to honour Indigenous Veterans Day,” staff said. “This day honours the important contributions made by more than 12,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans in service to Canada.”

Heads up, Canadian Armed Forces CF-18 Hornets and a vintage plane will fly over the National War Memorial, the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces and various Royal Canadian Legion locations in Ottawa between 10:50 and 11:59 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11.

“If you plan on attending the National Remembrance Day Ceremony or will be in the downtown core, be sure to plan ahead,” staff said.

The following streets will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 due to the ceremony:

• Elgin Street, from Laurier Avenue West to Wellington Street
• Wellington Street, from Rideau Street / Sussex Avenue to Elgin Street
• Metcalfe Street, from Queen Street to Wellington Street
• Queen Street, from Metcalfe Street to Elgin Street

There will be intermittent, rolling closures 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 Street/Rideau Street to the north, as the parade is escorted to and from the National War Memorial by the Ottawa Police Service.

Additionally, the ramps from eastbound Laurier Avenue West to Queen Elizabeth Drive, and from northbound Queen Elizabeth Drive to Laurier Avenue West will be closed between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and between noon and 12:30 p.m.

“Consider using transit to get to the ceremony,” city staff said. “Veterans who wear their medals or uniforms during National Veterans’ Week, from Saturday, Nov. 5 to Friday, Nov. 11, can ride OC Transpo, Para Transpo and Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) buses and paratransit service for no charge. Companions accompanying veterans also ride at no charge. Visit octranspo.com and STO for more information.