City of Brantford announced the completion of two new Remembrance Day-themed crosswalks adjacent to the Brant County War Memorial on Monday, September 22, 2025.
Installed at the intersections of Bridge Street and Dalhousie Street and West Street and Brant Avenue, the crosswalks are designed to extend the existing tributes at the War Memorial, while serving as a lasting reminder of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Canada.
The initiative stems from a Council-approved motion on November 26, 2024, which directed the installation of pedestrian crosswalks honouring our veterans, in time for Remembrance Day 2025.
“The new crosswalks are more than public,” said Councillor Brian Van Tilborg. “They are a visible reminder, in the heart of our community, that we will always remember the sacrifices made by those who served and continue to serve our country.”
Designed with durable materials expected to last five to ten years, the crosswalks provide both a functional and symbolic demonstration of the City’s ongoing commitment to honouring veterans and active service members.
The City consulted closely with the Royal Canadian Legion, Brantford Branch #461, to ensure the imagery used reflects both respect and tradition. Following guidance from the Legion, poppies were not included in the design, recognizing that walking or driving over a poppy image would not be appropriate. Similarly, while the maple leaf motif was inspired by the Canadian flag, it is not the same stylized leaf used on the flag itself. This distinction is intentional, as much like the poppy, it would be considered disrespectful to drive over a direct symbol of the national flag.
The resulting design, which features a pattern of red and black, a maple leaf and the silhouette of a service member, has also been adopted by other municipalities in Ontario, highlighting a shared commitment across communities to honour those who served.
