The City of Toronto commemorates those who served in the military with an annual ceremony held at Old City Hall

Toronto’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony honoring fallen soldiers and veterans drew hundreds of attendees on Nov. 11.

A memorial service for those who served the country is held annually outside Old City Hall, where thousands of Canadians, including families of service men and women, gather to pay their respects to those who lost their lives fighting in the First and Second World Wars. 

Around 10,000 Torontonians died during conflicts across the 20th century, according to the City of Toronto.

The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, said that while Canadians should be mindful of the sacrifices soldiers have made for the country every day, he emphasized that it is especially important to come together on this special day to honor those who have fallen.

“I think it’s important for us to keep this perspective in mind today,” Tory said. “We can never forget … neither can we assume the way ahead.”

This was not just any Remembrance Day ceremony, this year’s ceremony was also the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, which Tory called “the deadliest day in Toronto’s wartime history.”

Wendy [Last Name] says, “I do this in support of my father, who is no longer with me.” 

She has been going to the annual ceremonies for the past 44 years in support of her father and all the veterans who lost their lives fighting for this country. 

Will [Last Name] says that this is something that we should all take time, reflect on, and thank the soldiers for what we have today.

The ceremony featured many traditions and was brought to an end with a procession of RCMP.

By Sierra Edwards

Expensive housing prices have made this year’s return to campus difficult for Toronto Metropolitan University students.

Young people are not receiving the help they need to find affordable rentals downtown.

Creative Industries student Seanna Fiedtkou is living out of her car after being unable to find housing.

“I couldn’t keep up with my rent anymore,” Fiedtkou said. “School is in the city every day, and it’s in person. You don’t really have a choice.” 

Rising rental prices are starting to impact students’ ability to get their education.

Jolie Savoie, a former politics and governance student, had to take a gap year to save money for living expenses.

“I’m back in my hometown because I couldn’t afford the housing in Toronto,” Savoie said. “I just didn’t have the funding to afford a place on my own.”

Savoie was unhappy with the lack of resources she received from the school. 

“The school wasn’t any help, I tried to look into accommodations, but I never really heard back,” she said. 

TMU has three student residence buildings. Spyros Zarros, Vice President of operations for TMU Students Union says that’s not enough for students.

Zarros says, “The school is a commuter school to its majority, so off-campus housing is something most students rely on.”

Pitman Hall, Daphne Cockwell Complex, and International Living/Learning Centre are not large enough to accommodate every student who needs housing and is available mainly to first-year students. 

You may be out of luck when looking for children’s pain relief medication at pharmacies. 

Pharmacies across Canada are facing a shortage of children’s pain relief medication including Advil and Tylenol. 

Tania Caferelli, a parent, says “every pharmacy that I go to, I don’t see anything on the shelves”. 

“I’m just concerned when my kids get sick, if and when they get sick, what am I going to do?” she adds. 

Pharmacy manager, Sandro Mosnia, says the empty shelves have left parents scrambling. 

“We’ve had a few phone calls just where parents were literally going through and calling every pharmacy in the phonebook to see if there was supply”. 

Mosnia also says that the shortage could leave families in desperate situations and as a result of not having any medication, children may end up in hospitals or emergencies. 

Pediatrician Dr. Ayisha Kurji warns parents to only give children medication when necessary. 

“Using your tylenol or Advil judiciously, making sure you use it only when they’re really uncomfortable so that your doses last longer”.

Dr Kurji also encourages parents to think about others in the community, advising them to not to stockpile and only get what they need.

By Sidra Khan

Check out this Infographic by Henry Stoner!