How Quebec honoured veterans this Remembrance Day
'We need to remember every day,' says Royal Canadian Legion member
Remembrance Day ceremonies took place Saturday across Quebec, including at the cenotaph in downtown Montreal.
The public was invited to take part in the event, organized by the Quebec Provincial Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, at Parc du Canada starting at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The ceremony included a 21-gun salute and concluded with the laying of the official wreaths, shortly after 11 a.m.
James Leblanc — vice-president of the Royal Canadian Legion's Lasalle 212 branch — is a veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Regiment.
For Leblanc, it's a question of paying respect for veterans, many of whom have passed.
"I've been marching in parades since I was seven years old. My grandparents and my father, they were all veterans," he said.
Paulette Cook, executive director of the Royal Canadian Legion's Quebec Provincial Command, said conflicts around the globe today have made honouring veterans all the more important — something she wants the younger generations to understand.
"We need to remember every day," she said. "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here."
"We feel for the soldiers that are out there today, that were out there in the past, and it doesn't matter what war or conflict," said Cook.
Quebec Premier François Legault came to pay his respects.
"Today, we have to thank people who gave their lives for preserving liberty," said Legault, adding that there are numerous Quebec veterans who have served in the Second World War, the war in Afghanistan and other conflicts.
It is also important to pay tribute to the families of veterans, he said.
Remembrance Day services are taking place in dozens of communities across Quebec this year. You can find a full list of the events on the Royal Canadian Legion website here.
CBC News is also marking Remembrance Day with special coverage from the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa.
Rosemary Barton hosted coverage from the National War Memorial in Ottawa at 10 a.m. ET.
You can find out more about the national coverage on web, TV, radio and streaming platforms here.
with files from Valeria Cori-Manocchio