Remembrance Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, November 11. Every year the same questions come up in Toronto offices, classrooms and group chats: is it a stat holiday in Ontario, will the kids have school, and where can you attend a ceremony? Here is a clear, practical guide to what the day means for workers, families and anyone who wants to pay their respects in the city.
No. Remembrance Day is not one of the public holidays listed under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act. For most people who work for a provincially regulated employer in Toronto, including retail, restaurants, most offices and many factories, November 11 is a regular working day with regular pay.
Ontario’s public holidays are New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Some employers choose to give November 11 off anyway, either under a collective agreement or as a company policy, so check your contract or ask HR if you’re not sure.
The picture is different for people in federally regulated workplaces. Remembrance Day is a general holiday under the Canada Labour Code, which applies to the federal public service and to federally regulated industries such as banking, interprovincial transportation, telecommunications and broadcasting. In practice, though, some of those employers keep operating, so whether a particular branch or service is open on November 11 depends on the company.
Because it is not a provincial stat holiday, most of Toronto runs on a normal weekday schedule. Here is what to expect:
Toronto’s best-known public ceremony takes place each year at the cenotaph in front of Old City Hall, at Queen and Bay streets. The event is listed by Veterans Affairs Canada among commemorative events across the country. Crowds gather well before 11 a.m., so arrive early, dress for the weather and expect road closures and a heavy police presence downtown.
The City of Toronto marks Remembrance Week, from November 5 to 11, with civic services in several parts of the city, not only downtown. Local cenotaphs in the former municipalities, community centres and Royal Canadian Legion branches also hold their own services. A smaller neighbourhood ceremony is often easier to reach and less crowded, which matters if you are going with children or older relatives.
The heart of the day is the moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the moment the First World War armistice took effect in 1918. If you are at work or at school, it is common to stop for two minutes at 11 a.m. Many radio and TV stations broadcast the national ceremony from Ottawa live.
Poppies are distributed by the Royal Canadian Legion in the weeks leading up to November 11, and donations support veterans and their families. Traditionally the poppy is worn on the left side, over the heart. Many people place their poppy on a wreath or cenotaph after the ceremony.
November is a full month in Toronto: Remembrance Day is followed closely by the start of the holiday season, the first winter markets and, for many, the first serious snow. If you are planning outings, our list of things to do in Toronto in winter and our 2026 Toronto festivals calendar are good places to start.
For employers, it is worth confirming early whether staff will get the day off, how coverage will work and whether you will pause operations at 11 a.m. Communicating that a week ahead avoids confusion, especially in mixed workplaces where some people fall under federal rules and others under provincial ones.
Not automatically. Because it is not an Ontario public holiday, a provincially regulated employer does not have to give the day off or pay holiday pay. You could use a vacation day or arrange unpaid time off with your employer.
Ontario schools are normally open on Remembrance Day. Most hold a ceremony or assembly with a moment of silence. Check with your school board for any local professional development days.
At 11 a.m. local time. Ceremonies usually begin before that, so arrive at least 30 minutes early if you are attending in person.
Rules vary across Canada. Several provinces and territories recognize it as a public holiday, while others, including Ontario and Quebec, do not treat it as a general paid holiday for provincially regulated workers. Federally regulated employees have it as a general holiday under the Canada Labour Code.
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