The Ontario Veterans' Memorial commemorates the sacrifices of Canada's veterans who served in war and peace and was unveiled on September 17, 2006, by the province, veterans, and the military. It was fitting that this significant memorial was unveiled on the front lawn of Queen's Park to coincide with the anniversary date of the first parliament in Ontario.
Following one of the largest military parades in Toronto's history, the memorial was unveiled by numerous veterans and dignitaries including the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Honourable Michael A. Brown, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. "This memorial wall will be a lasting tribute to the sacrifice, courage and dedication of our Veterans," said Major-General Richard Rohmer, Co-Chair of the Veterans' Memorial Advisory Committee, which is responsible for the overall planning of the project. "We are pleased that the military, our veterans, the province, and the Crown will jointly dedicate this new monument to those who have given so much."
Allan Harding MacKay and landscape architectural firm Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg designed the granite wall, etched with scenes and inscriptions of Canada’s military involvement in conflicts since 1867. It is approximately 100 feet long and eight feet six inches tall. The memorial is also inscribed with text written by poet Jane Urquhart. Major-General Richard Rohmer (Ret.), co-chair of the committee, said one of the great Canadian historians, Dr. Jack Granatstein, helped with the scenes. Other features include a stone-paved gathering area, seating area, paths and a gently sloping lawn.
In 2020, the Ontario Afghanistan Memorial was added to this location.
