B.C. Remembrance Day: ‘If we forget about our history, we become a very poor society’

VICTORIA — Army Corp. Arianna Golding joined Canada’s armed forces in part to pay back the country that welcomed her when she arrived from Jamaica seven years ago.

Standing at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Victoria on Wednesday, the 22-year-old said being part of the military for more than three years had given her discipline, growth and confidence.

“I think this day is mainly for everyone really that puts on the uniform every day and supports Canada and shows up for Canada and especially those who have died for the country,” she said.

“I think (they) deserve the most utmost respect because without them a lot of us wouldn’t be able have the freedom that we have today.”

Golding was among those in uniform at dozens of ceremonies around the province to honour those who served their country and those who continue to serve.

RCMP Sgt. Nathan Olson was at the ceremony in downtown Vancouver under overcast skies and said it was easy to forget what those who served in times of war went through.

He said that as their numbers dwindled it was important that their legacies be honoured.

“We’ve lost people that I’ve trained and I have a family member that was killed in Juno (Beach). And so it just means a lot to me to be able to come and just remember every year.

Hundred were at the Vancouver ceremony which included a parade, a 21-gun salute and a flypast of a military jet. Attendees included Lt. Gov. Wendy Coccia and new Mayor Pete Fry.

Voytek Lenartowicz, a member of the province’s Polish Veterans Association said Polish soldiers, including his father, played an important role during the Second World War.

He said young people who may not know a veteran of the war need to learn about their service, whether by talking with them or learning online.

“If we forget about our history, we become a very poor society,” he said.

In Victoria, 18-year-old Ryan Wolfenden laid a wreath as a representative of all army cadets in British Columbia,

“It’s incredibly special. I intend on joining the Canadian Forces so to be able to have the honour and being able to pay tribute like this on behalf of an organization that I’ve spent so much of my life dedicated to and I care so much about, it really means a lot,” he said.

The ceremonies come after four Canadian soldiers, including two from B.C., were killed in a fire at a base in Alberta.

Golding said she knows people who were in the area when the tragedy happened.

She said it took a toll on a lot of people, making them want to pay their respects even more on Remembrance Day.

“It’s not just in battle (where) you can get hurt. You can get hurt on a base and just having the uniform on is a dangerous thing because you’re kind of putting yourself before everybody else.”

Dozens of other ceremonies took place across the province, from Dawson Creek to Fernie and Haida Gwaii.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2026.

— With files by Brenna Owen in Vancouver