How Toronto plans to honour veterans on Remembrance Day 2023
CBC
Toronto will mark Remembrance Day Saturday with a series of commemorative events to honour the country's veterans.
The city is focusing this year's events, in particular, around the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement that brought about the end of the Korean War.
Other milestones the city says its commemorating include the 75th anniversary of Canadian participation in peacekeeping missions for the United Nations and the centennials of the Naval Reserve of Canada and HMCS York, a Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Division in Toronto.
Saturday's events will bookend a week of remembrance events, including Wednesday's unveiling of a plaque at City Hall to mark Indigenous Veterans Day.
The city says road closures will be in effect around Old City Hall. Access to the ceremony via Yonge Street and Queen subway station will be limited and those who want to attend are encouraged to exit at Osgoode subway station and walk to Old City Hall.
The city is also live streaming the ceremony on its YouTube channel.
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Cpl. Alan Roy, a veteran of the Korean War who identifies as Métis, will lay the final wreath at the city's Old City Hall ceremony.
Roy was also honoured at the city's Indigenous Veteran's Day ceremony on Wednesday. He told CBC Toronto it's been "an absolute incredible honour" to be a part of the city's ceremonies this week.
Cpl. Roy is the third generation of his family to serve in the Canadian military. His grandfather served in the First and Second World Wars and his father also served in the Second World War.
"It's a culmination so far for my family members who I feel I represent to this day," he said through tears.
"As a proud Canadian, I can't ask for a better opportunity."
Roy says it means a great deal to veterans like himself when the public attends Remembrance Day ceremonies.
"It's an incredible show of support, and to see the younger kids out on parade day, it's heart warming," he said.