Thousands attend Remembrance Day ceremony at B.C. legislature

VICTORIA — Grey skies, blustery winds and rain showers didn’t keep people away from a  Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph outside British Columbia’s legislature in Victoria.

A gathering of almost 3,000 people stood at the grounds and surrounding streets to honour and pay respects to Canada’s war veterans and those currently serving in the military. 

Rev. Andrew Gates, who officiated over the ceremony, remarked on the surprising size of the crowd, saying due to the COVID-19 pandemic their attendance estimates for the ceremony were obviously much too low.

He says organizers printed about 200 programs, thinking perhaps that would be enough for this year, as only about 50 people were at last year’s Victoria ceremony.