Remembrance Day Services

The City of Brantford is proud to join fellow Canadians on Remembrance Day to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served and continue to serve our country during times of war, military conflict, and peace. We encourage members of our community to join us as we remember, with deep respect and immense gratitude, the remarkable sacrifices of others.

Overnight lighting display

An overnight lighting display will take place at the Cenotaph (6 Dalhousie Street) on Friday, November 10, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m. until Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. A cadet vigil will take place Friday, November 10, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, resuming again on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Remembrance Day Service 2023

Residents are invited to attend the Remembrance Day Service at the Brant County War Memorial (6 Dalhousie Street). Front row seating will only be available to veterans and their spouses or companions. Some bleacher seating will be available for the general public.

The order of proceedings for the City's Remembrance Day Service and Parade on Saturday, November 11 is as follows:

  • 10:40 a.m.: The walking march leaves Harmony Square (89 Dalhousie Street) en route to the Brant County War Memorial (6 Dalhousie Street)
  • 10:50 a.m.: Civic Service of Remembrance at the Brant County War Memorial, Brant Avenue and Dalhousie Street
  • 11:15 a.m.: A Fly-pass will occur with the Lancaster courtesy of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, weather permitting
Leading the parade will be a 1945 Dodge 3/4 tonne Air Portable Truck (APT), followed by a 1942 and 1952 Willys Jeep, provided by the Canadian Military Heritage Museum.

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to the free Open House and a light luncheon at the Brantford Naval Veterans Association (54 Wadsworth Street).

Temporary road closures

The following streets will be closed on Saturday, November 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. for the City’s Remembrance Day Services:

  • Dalhousie Street between Market Street to Brant Avenue
  • Brant Avenue between Church and Colborne Streets

Detour routes will be signed to accommodate vehicular traffic.

Parking and transit

Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, free parking will be provided at downtown area municipal parking lots and for veterans in the RBC parking lot. Parking time restrictions at on-street parking spaces in the downtown area will be waived. Brantford Transit fares will also be waived for riders attending the service. You can find updated routes and schedules at Brantford.ca/Transit.

Thank you

The City of Brantford is grateful for all the efforts of those who have assisted in organizing the 2023 Civic Remembrance Day Service, including various veterans’ groups, organizations, the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, City of Brantford and County of Brant staff, our local MP, MPP, emergency services and various local school boards and legions.

Special exhibit

Everyone is welcome to view the In Remembrance exhibit at the Brant Museum and Archives (57 Charlotte Street) on Saturday, November 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is by donation.

Student Remembrance Day speech 

Students from the Brantford Christian School submitted speeches for consideration based on this year's Remembrance Day theme 'The Canadian Link to global conflicts'. Each year, schools are selected on a rotational basis. This year’s selected student speech was written by Noah Holly and will be read at the Remembrance Day Service on Saturday, November 11. 

Student Remembrance Day Speech

What an honour and a privilege it is to be here today as we come together to acknowledge and show our immense gratitude for the courage of those who went before us to serve and protect our glorious country. My name is Noah and I, like all of you here today, wear this poppy with tremendous pride as a symbol of remembrance for those who sacrificed so much to secure the incredible freedoms we enjoy today.

 

Our country continues to be influenced by circumstances involving conflicts abroad. Canadians are peacekeepers and even more than that, peacemakers. The sacrifices continue until the present day, with the brave and committed men and women in our Canadian Armed Forces. They work tirelessly not just for our country, but also globally to assist other countries requesting help when they are facing humanitarian crises, natural disasters, high levels of food insecurity and various types of conflict.

Canadians continually step up and give as they can to these situations. This is such important work because, as Canadians, we believe certain human rights and freedoms are not just reserved for Canadians, but for all people around the globe.

 

When we look around the world today and see increasing instability, we are even more clearly aware of the incredible freedoms we hold. Many people from other countries recognize and value this as well. As conflicts increase globally, we have significant increases in refugees and other immigrants coming to Canada which positively impacts our country and those living here. Canadians are embracing this growth which helps fill labour shortages and enriches our economy.

 

I am truly proud to be a Canadian and so thankful for all those who have made and continue to make our country as our national anthem says “true, north, strong and free”. Words cannot ever repay the debt we owe to those who sacrifice for our Country.

written by: Noah Holly from Brantford Christian School