Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation
2025 Ceremony

2025 CANADIAN FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL WEEKEND

The 2025 Memorial Weekend will take place September 5-7, 2025. Please make plans to join us in Ottawa as we HONOUR and REMEMBER our fallen and provide SUPPORT to their loved ones, supporting their grieving process.

Volunteer Firefighters of Canada Full Crest 2024

The host hotel for families is the Delta Ottawa, 101 Lyon St. N, Ottawa. At this time, we are unable to release any of our room block until we can ensure that our LODD Family needs are met. We would expect that we would be able to release any remaining rooms by early to mid-July.

There are many hotels nearby, and we encourage you to make your reservations early. A Google search will quickly return neighboring hotels. The following hotels have provided reduced rates for Memorial Weekend guests – please follow the links to book your rooms:

Accommodations

Welcome to the 22nd CFFF Memorial Ceremony (2025)

Please review the list and schedule of events and activities to take place over the duration of the Memorial Weekend. While in the nation’s capital, we hope you will have an opportunity to visit the many sites and museums. To find out more visit www.ottawatourism.ca.

We ask that all those attending respect the Families of the Fallen at all times while in Ottawa.

Friday, September 5th – City of Ottawa Fire Services Memorial, City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. The ceremony begins at 12:00 pm. The Ottawa Fire Community Foundation invites all visiting Fire Service members to attend the annual memorial in recognition of Ottawa Fire Service members who have passed away since 2024.

Friday, September 5th – Firefighters Memorial Ride to Ottawa in Support of CFFF The Toronto Professional Firefighters Celtic Society invites you to join them at the Canadian Firefighters Memorial (CFM), 200 Lett Street to welcome Canadian firefighters who have cycled from Hamilton to Ottawa as a fundraiser for the CFFF. Their estimated time of arrival at the CFM is 4:30 pm. For more information: https://www.celticfireride.ca/ride-history.

CFFF Merchandise Store

Located in main lobby in the Delta Ottawa, 101 Lyon Street.

Hours of operation: Friday, Sept 5th (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm); Saturday, Sept 6th (8:30 am – 7:00 pm) and Sunday, Sept 7th (At the conclusion of the memorial Ceremony until 2:00 pm).

Friday, September 5th – CFFF Hospitality Event

         Located on the Penthouse level of the Delta from 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm. Open to ALL family, fire service members and guests.

Saturday, September 6th – Ceremony Briefing and Headdress Party Rehearsal (at 9:30 am)

         Located at the intersection of Lett St. and Wellington St., LeBreton Flats. The following Fire Service members are encouraged to attend.

  • Firefighters who wish to learn or brush up on their parade drill. Active and retired military fire service members will review basic drill at the halt and on the march.
  • Fire service flag party participants under the direction CFFF Colour Guard commander, Peter Roy-Smith. Please bring flags, axes, and pikes.
  • Fire Service Honour Guard under direction of the Parade commander and Ceremony director, John Sobey (CAF & OFS Ret’d), CWO (RCAF Ret’d) Bruce Paradis, Maj (RCAF Ret’d) Martin Rousseau and CWO (RCAF) Troy Noseworthy.
  • Uniforms are NOT required for the rehearsal. Please dress for the weather.
  • Pipers and drummers will meet under the direction of Calgary Fire Pipe Major Owen Bonnar, owen_bonnar@hotmail.com for further information.

Parliament Hill Tours and CFFF Meet and Greet – Saturday, Sept 6th (11:00 am – 6:00 pm)

CFFF Ambassador Céline Guerin and the SAA-CS Fire Prevention and Emergency Preparedness will host our firefighters and families “Meet and Greet” sponsored by M&L Supply.

  • PLEASE NOTE: All the visitors are required access through the new visitor welcome center. https://lop.parl.ca/sites/Visit/default/en_CA/HOC. 
  • The hospitality event will take place in Room 025-B, West Block, from 11:00 am to 5:30/6:00 pm. 
  • Photo ID is required. To assist Parliament Hill Police, it helps to be wearing the CFFF pin which can be purchased at the CFFF store located in the Delta Ottawa Hotel, 101 Lyon St. North. 
  • Tours specific for CFFF participants of the West Block (New House of Commons) will be arranged for 1:15 pm (English), 1:45 pm (English), 2:15 pm (English), 2:45 pm (French or English), 3:15 pm (English) and 3:45 pm (English). 
  • Private tours for the families can also be booked. For further information or to reserve a tour, contact Céline by e-mail at fire-feu@parl.gc.ca.

Pints and Pipers – Saturday evening, September 6th

Please join us at the Royal Oak, 180 Kent St. as the pipers and drummers perform on the patio with families and firefighters.

CFFF Parade Muster – Sunday, September 7th

The 22nd Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony will take place at the Canadian Firefighters Memorial (CFM), LeBreton Flats.

  • Fire Service personnel wishing to participate in the ceremony are requested to appear in full dress uniform with medals and head dress. 
  • Muster point is located on Commissioner at Wellington streets, across from the National Archives of Canada. 
  • Fire Service Honour Guards and Bands please arrive no later than 9:30 am. 
  • Remember to turn off or place on silent all electronic devices. 
  • Sunglasses are not to be worn. 
  • No white gloves except for colour and vigil party members. Cap badge shrouds are not required. 
  • In the event of inclement weather, departmental/service raincoats may be worn.

Participating Pipers and Drummers

Please see message from CFFF/Calgary Fire Pipe Major, Owen Bonnar.

Pipes & Drums: Mandatory practice to be held at 9:30 am on Saturday Sept 6th, 2025. Please meet at the Memorial site no later than 9:00 am. Tunes for the mass Pipes & Drums march will be:

2/4
Mari’s Wedding
High Road to Gairloch
Barren Rocks of Aden

4/4
Scotland the Brave
Rowan Tree
Wings

3/4
Amazing Grace

Any questions or concerns, or to state your attendance, feel free to call or email Owen Bonnar; owen_bonnar@hotmail.com or 1-403-680-7818.

To download the schedule click here

For further enquiries, e-mail ceremony@cfff.ca

Continue to monitor our web and social media accounts for updated info regarding Memorial Weekend and we hope to see you in Ottawa.