Ontario's fallen firefighters honoured at in-person memorial service for first time in two years
Ontario’s fallen firefighters from the last two years were honoured during a memorial service in downtown Toronto Sunday afternoon.
The ceremony started at 1 p.m. at the Ontario Fire Fighters Memorial on College Street, just south of Queen’s Park.
Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Premier Doug Ford, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) Rob Grimwood, Director of Firefighters’ Association of Ontario (FFAO) Jamie Hiller, President of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) Greg Horton, were among those who spoke at the memorial service and laid wreaths.
“I’m very, very thankful that we can all gather today to remember the brave women and men who gave their lives protecting us,” Ford said. “They’re all heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of duty and service to their community, and while they’re no longer with us, their honour and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
“Let me thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We’re forever grateful for your service,” he said.
Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg also spoke at the gathering, and said today’s memorial service pays tribute to all of Ontario’s firefighters who made the “ultimate sacrifice.”
“For the 36 names being added to the memorial this year, and the 98 names that we are also honouring today, we are forever indebted to their service,” he said. “Their loss is felt deeply by their families, their fire departments, and the entire community that they pledge to protect.”
The names of all the fallen firefighters were read aloud to reflect and honour the sacrifice they each made to their community. A bell rang after each name as part of the tradition that firefighters have to pay their respects, as well as at the end of the ceremony.
“When the fire was out and the alarm had come to an end, it was the bell that signalled to all the completion of that call,” the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association said. “When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, it is the toll of the bell that solemnly announces a comrade’s passing.”
The names of 36 fallen firefighters will be added to the Memorial Wall, in addition to the 98 names of those who were lost in 2020 and 2021. This is the first time in the last two years Ontario could pay tribute to its fallen firefighters in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.