Despite homeless encampment, an outdoor ceremony will be held Nov. 11 in Sudbury's Memorial Park
Despite the growing homeless encampment in Memorial Park in downtown Sudbury, two Royal Canadian Legion branches say an outdoor Remembrance Day ceremony will go ahead in the park.
The announcement came after a special events application to the city was approved.
“I know that within the city, they met with Public Health Sudbury Districts as well as with police,” said Jennifer Huard, the president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 564.
“And they have been working with us and they have assured us they will dismantle the encampment out here at Memorial Park and the service can proceed as planned.”
Remembrance Day ceremonies have been held inside the Sudbury Arena since 1985, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the wishes of many veterans, it’s moving back outside.
“I think it’s a good thing because Memorial Park is … for veterans and recognizing it’s very unfortunate with, you know, the situation (with) displaced people living in tents in the park right now,” said John Goeduis, the interim president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76.
“But you know we look at it from that perspective that we honour veterans, we want to remember veterans and that is a pretty sacred place within the City of Sudbury associated to all the fallen veterans.”
The city confirmed a general cleanup and clearing of the area near the ceremony site is a priority as Remembrance Day approaches.
“In the true spirit of remembrance, it's important that we be outside regardless of the elements," said Huard. "So that we can really remember and really feel what our veterans felt while they were serving overseas.”
Legion officials said they expect between 1,500 and 2,000 people to attend the civic outdoor ceremony. Masks will be mandatory and physical distancing measures will be in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.