Vaughan Remembers at the Historic Woodbridge Memorial Tower

Vaughan will gather at one of the city’s most significant military landmarks on Wednesday, November 11, for its annual Remembrance Day service honouring Canadians who served — and continue to serve — their country.

Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council will join veterans, families and members of the community for the ceremony at the Woodbridge War Memorial Tower, also known as the Woodbridge Cenotaph. The service runs from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

More Than a Century of Local History

The setting adds particular significance to Vaughan’s ceremony.

Constructed in 1924 by community volunteers, the fieldstone Woodbridge Memorial Tower was created in memory of 26 men from the Woodbridge area who lost their lives during the First World War. Local residents contributed materials to its construction, and the completed tower was unveiled on November 16, 1924, by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Colonel Harry Cockshutt.

More than a century later, the memorial remains the focal point for Woodbridge’s annual November 11 gathering.

Wartime History at Wallace House

Remembrance continues beyond the cenotaph at nearby Wallace House. The historic house at 137 Woodbridge Avenue will open for Remembrance Day with displays featuring military uniforms, newspaper clippings and photographs connected to the First and Second World Wars.

Built in 1873, Wallace House is itself a designated heritage property, making the additional displays a natural complement to the ceremony. Together, the cenotaph and historic house give visitors an opportunity not only to participate in the national act of remembrance, but also to discover how war affected people from their own community.

Planning Your Visit

Visitors should be aware of temporary traffic changes around the ceremony. Wallace Street will be closed from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on November 11.

Parking will be available at the Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena, located at 5020 Highway 7.

The combination of the ceremony, century-old memorial and special historical displays makes Woodbridge one of the GTA’s more distinctive places to observe Remembrance Day in 2026.