On the morning of November 11, as communities across Canada paused to honor those who served, Port Hawkesbury faced a dilemma. Traffic flowed uninterrupted down Reeves Street, the provincial highway dividing the local cenotaph from the Royal Canadian Legion branch, even during the solemn Remembrance Day ceremony. With vehicles consistently passing by, including trucks and buses, the somber atmosphere was disrupted for the attendees.
This year, like many others, the Town of Port Hawkesbury had permission from Nova Scotia's Department of Public Works to halt traffic only at the beginning and end of the event, but not for the entire ceremony. Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton voiced the concerns of many residents, saying, "There's a broad range of ages at the ceremony — very, very young children, also seniors — and all of the people attending the ceremonies have varying levels of mobility. So, being able to participate in the ceremony, unencumbered by traffic, I think it's certainly worthwhile to ensuring safety during the ceremony."
One witness to the situation was Deputy Mayor Iaian Langley, who also attended the Remembrance Day service. After the ceremony, he addressed the traffic issues brought to his attention by residents through text messages and formal letters. Langley stated, "It was a respectful ceremony, but there were some traffic concerns…" He insisted upon consulting with municipal staff about finding a way to fully close Reeves Street for future ceremonies, like the upcoming Christmas parade planned for December 1.
Langley expressed frustration over the town's previous efforts, recalling how similar complaints had previously arisen during the 2017 Remembrance Day ceremony. At the time, local officials had applied for a parade permit to stop traffic but were turned down by the provincial government. Echoing the sentiments of the community, he emphasized, "We want to see a safe place during the Remembrance Day ceremony. If this means stopping traffic for a brief period, we’d like to see it happen."
This push for change isn’t entirely new to the town. The Mayor hoped discussions with the province would yield constructive responses, especially since similar strategies have been adopted during other local events, like the Christmas parade. "It's done on other occasions, like the Christmas parade and so on — that's what we’d like to see," Langley added, reinforcing the importance of public safety during events commemorative of the sacrifices made by the nation’s veterans.
Officials from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 were unavailable for comment, but the local community's concerns echo the broader tension felt across many Canadian towns when it involves balancing respect for traditions with the realities of busy traffic routes. It's clear many residents feel the need for their leaders to advocate for more respect during such commemorative ceremonies.
Port Hawkesbury's challenges reflect a larger conversation happening across the country about how communities can best honor their veterans. More than simple traffic rerouting, it touches upon ensuring the integrity and proper observance of significant national moments. For the residents of Port Hawkesbury, the hope is to find ways to make future Remembrance Days peaceful and respectful, allowing all citizens to participate fully without distraction.
Moving forward, the dialogue between local officials and provincial authorities is likely to be more pressing as they look for solutions. The community has expressed its will to honor their veterans appropriately, sure to stand firm until they achieve the respectful observation they believe their heroes deserve.
