An Ottawa high school principal has apologized for playing an Arabic song about peace during a Remembrance Day ceremony after facing swift backlash from critics calling it inappropriate and hurtful to members of the Jewish community.

Remembrance Day, which is held every Nov. 11 to honour those who have served and are serving in the military, falls on a Monday this year.It's a national holiday, but Ontario and Quebec have not made it a provincial holiday.

Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

Thousands of veterans, military personnel and their supporters gathered at Canada's National War Memorial in Ottawa to remember those who have fought and died to protect this country and its freedoms.

Ten-year-old Beatrice Desjardins was among those who attended Monday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial, the bright red poppy over her heart contrasting sharply with the blue of her winter jacket.