IAFF members across Canada paused to pay tribute to active military personnel, to veterans and to the nation’s fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day this year with firehall observances, visits to local cenotaphs and other acts of reflection.
Members of Fredericton, NB Local 1053 marched in the city’s Remembrance Day Parade, including two members who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. “It’s very important for us in Fredericton to recognize the sacrifices and pay tribute to those we’ve lost, those who have served and those who continue to serve,” said Local 1053 President Barry Durling.
In Barrie, Ont., a Remembrance Day breakfast was held for current and former fire fighters at the city’s fire headquarters. After that, Local 1753 members marched in a community parade and attended a ceremony at the local cenotaph. Like many IAFF Locals, Barrie has members who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“It’s important to remember our veterans and the sacrifices they made,” said Local 1753 President Daniel Speight. “And it’s an important thing for us to do as a membership, it helps build solidarity.”
Ottawa, ON Local 162 held its annual Remembrance Day Breakfast, which was attended by representatives of all three levels of government, including Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, eight city councillors, MPs Yasir Naqvi and Marie France Lalonde and MPP John Fraser. Local 162 President David André said the tradition started in the former Nepean Local before it merged with Ottawa in 2001, and serves to unite labour, management and political leaders in remembrance of those who have served.
“This is a time to get together and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who came before us. IAFF Local 162 is proud to host this event at Ottawa Fire Services Station 24 that brings together elected officials of all political stripes,” he said.
This is a time to get together and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who came before us. IAFF Local 162 is proud to host this event at Ottawa Fire Services Station 24 that brings together elected officials of all political stripes,
Local 162 President David André
Local 162 Executive Board member Genna McMillan laid a wreath at Canada’s National War Memorial on behalf of the IAFF during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony, which was attended by thousands and televised across the country.
At firehalls across Canada, IAFF members like those belonging to Saskatoon, SK Local 80 paused to stand at attention at 11 a.m. on Remembrance Day to reflect on the service and sacrifice of Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
Terrace, BC Local 2685 was one of many B.C. affiliates that actively observed Remembrance Day in their community. Local member Andrew Johnstone, a trumpet player and member of the Terrace Community Band, played The Last Post in dress uniform at local schools prior to Remembrance Day and at the city’s official ceremony on Nov. 11.
Local 2685 President Jeff Minhinnick said Johnstone takes pride in his contributions to Terrace’s observances, as do all Local members, many of whom march in the annual Remembrance Day parade and are present for the annual ceremony at the community’s cenotaph.
“We think it’s important because we’re also in the work of service, and we recognize that so many fire fighters have come from the military traditionally. It feels really important to honour them and honour the work those people did before our time,” he said.
In Vancouver, B.C., members of Local 18 participated in the city’s Remembrance Day ceremony and on social media, the association paid special tribute to 11 Vancouver fire fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War. Members of Maple Ridge, BC Local 4449 sold poppies in advance of Remembrance Day in support of the Royal Canadian Legion.
