Among Atlantic Canadians, hope for a King who is 'really involved,' reaches youth

As she sat with her nine-year-old daughter at a coronation viewing Saturday, Mandy Chapman said she's hoping for a King who reaches out widely when he next comes to the East Coast.

"It's different, I've only ever known the Queen. That's all we've ever known in our lifetime … It's going to be an adjustment for sure," said the 49-year-old Halifax resident, who was among the winners of a lottery to attend a breakfast at the Nova Scotia lieutenant-governor's residence.

Chapman brought along her daughter Bella to enjoy the historic occasion in the ornate ballroom. The pair beamed as they enjoyed tea, scones and sweets at a table decorated with flowers.

Still, amid the pomp and ceremony, Chapman -- who works for an agency that provides fruits and vegetables to those struggling for food access -- said she hoped the new King will carry on his mother's legacy of charity work.

"They should be the King and Queen of the people," she said. "They shouldn't just be figureheads, but be really involved in what people are doing here in Canada."

A few tables away, wearing a pink fascinator that shone under the chandelier, 20-year-old Noelle Lavoie said she believes King Charles needs to be particularly attentive to connecting with young people when he visits Atlantic Canada.

The Halifax resident said she's interested to see how the King uses social media to reach out to her generation.

"I don't think anybody my age has discussed this much. It's more my mom and her friends, rather than people my age," she said. "Even at events you see them attend, it's mostly an older generation.

"I think he needs to find a way to include young people in the events he does."

Around the Atlantic region, provinces long known as friendly toward the monarchy also held celebratory events.

A parade wound its way through Charlottetown from the local armoury to Government House, where Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry presided over a public ceremony, and a 21-gun salute was fired from Fort Edward in Victoria Park.

The residence of the lieutenant-governor was also illuminated in emerald green to mark the occasion.

The King first visited Prince Edward Island as Prince of Wales in 1983 and travelled to the Island again in 2014 with his wife, Camilla.

In an email Saturday, P.E.I Premier Dennis King said, "it's the first time our constitutional monarchy will recognize a new sovereign in 70 years, and it is both a historic and significant moment in our history."

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the coronation ceremony included a tree-planting, in keeping with the King's focus on environmental issues. About 1,000 seedlings from the provincial tree nursery were handed out to the public to plant, with plans for further distribution across the province.

Artillery guns were also fired in St. John's, N.L., at 11 a.m. local time. The military noted the sound would be loud but not "loud enough to disturb local residents."

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said in a statement Saturday that his province has had a long and rich history with the monarchy.

"We have had the pleasure of welcoming many members of the Royal Family to our province. We look forward to continuing this tradition," Higgs said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2023.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/uiTvXfr

🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE OF CANADA 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦

MONARCHIST LEAGUE MEMBERS REMEMBER...

The League's memorial page is now online as the landing page of our website at monarchist.ca ~ special thanks to our long-time graphic designer and friend, Ted Sancton, of Studio Melrose, Montreal, for publishing it it so quickly upon the arrival of this morning's sad news..

MEMORIES OF PRINCE PHILIP John Yogis, of Halifax, writes: I was given access to The Queen and Prince Philip at various times during their 1994 Halifax visit including the State Dinner. Even though I was in the royal presence for hours I never expected to actually speak to either HM or HRH. On their last day I think I was the only photographer permitted to take pictures at a private coffee gathering following a ceremony where HRH presented Duke of Edinburgh Awards. I snapped away as he spoke to various guests, and then he surprised me by coming over and saying, “I understand you are a law professor?” I replied, “Yes, sir.” He then said, “what the hell are you doing taking pictures”? He moved on and I never had the chance to make a reply. I later realized he had been filled in by the then Chairman of the League branch. I guess that counts as part of a conversation. I must say, however, that I was pleased to get quite a few very good photos some of which I copyrighted. John Fraser, of Toronto, (sometime Master of Massey College) writes: Prince Philip came to Massey College during The Queen’s Golden Jubilee visit to Canada... The College was founded by the late Vincent Massey and its cornerstone was laid by Prince Phillip in 1962. When Philip returned in 2002...the most fun was when I took him on a tour of the quadrangle where hoping to meet him were over 300 of the College community. This included all the members of the Southam journalism fellowship.... When we approached the six journalists, I said to Himself: “Well, Sir, here are the journalism fellows.“ Prince Phillip looked at them suspiciously. He wasn’t the greatest friend the media had then — or now. “And what the devil do they do?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “Well Sir,” I responded helpfully and enthusiastically, “they get a year off from work, they also get to study any subject the university offers and go on trips of discovery to Europe and other places .” “A bit of a holiday then, is it chaps?” asked Prince Phillip as he kept walking past the journalists who all nodded enthusiastically; but he didn’t linger to hear the answer... “....and a bit of a holiday for your victims,“ he muttered under his breath. But I heard him. The Founder recalls: I covered the Royal Homecoming of 1976 for the League’s publication, Monarchy Canada. It began in Newfoundland. On the first afternoon, Gordon Winter, the Lieutenant Governor, held a reception at Government House for the media on tour (which subsequently took us to Saskatchewan and then Alberta where HM opened the Commonwealth Games). Each of us was presented in a tented receiving line to the Royal couple by our own name and the news outlet we were representing. We were asked to move briskly through it, as The Queen and the Duke would then chat informally with us as we assembled in groups of five or six in the spacious gardens. The Queen smiled and shook my hand; but the Duke, standing next to her, maintained his grip as I began to turn away and shall we say propelled me back, turned to HM and said with great enjoyment, “Did you hear? He’s in competition with us.”  The Queen gave him what one might call her ‘O, Philip’ look, a faint half-smile. I was then released from the tent to the cool of the gardens, only to be kidded in my “group” by Charlie Lynch, the Southam correspondent and a great monarchist. Some years later, in the course of the Golden Jubilee homecoming to Canada, I took my Mother to a Garden Party at Rideau Hall to realize her life-long ambition to meet The Queen - we were presented when a League member’s diorama was given her. I had been at several events during the tour, so was not surprised when the Duke, following HM, greeted me by saying, “Ah, you again!” But my Mother was absolutely thrilled! Judy Hagen, of Courtenay, BC, writes: In the 1980's, my husband, Hon Stan Hagen, was MLA for Comox Parksville. The Queen and the Duke were staying with a friend in Parksville. There were many official functions that the Cabinet (and their wives) attended in Vancouver. At one event, there was a small gathering with the Duke and I was standing beside him. So to make small talk, I said " I believe you are staying in my area at Lady Veronica's lovely home." The Duke replies" I just go where I am told". and then he moved on. My husband was then Minister of Science and Technology so he squired the Duke around all day to show off technology at BCIT and UBC. There was a large official dinner that night. As the Duke walked slowly behind Her Majesty and the Premier, down a row of tables leading to the Head Table. the Duke spotted Stan, stepped back and whispered to him..."so you have to come to this sort of thing too!" Roddy MacKenzie, of Vancouver, writes: In 1993, I had lunch with Prince Philip at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. He's the Colonel-in-Chief of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Kim Campbell was with us in her capacity as Canada's Minister of Defence. Weeks later of course, she became Prime Minister... Moments before the Prince arrived, I asked Kim why she was so excited, given daily she dealt with the highest officials in Canada. She replied: "We are all just politicians Roddy. Prince Philip is ROYALTY."  When HRH arrived, I was the midpoint of the receiving line the ten of us formed to meet him. The atmosphere was stiff and formal.  When I was introduced to Prince Philip, we shook hands. Then he asked what I do when I'm not being a Seaforth.  I replied: "I'm a lawyer sir". As the Prince was about to move on, I added:  "and my wife (with whom he had just shaken hands) is a Judge." Prince Philip stopped so abruptly the senior Seaforth escorting him almost bumped into him. The Prince turned to me said with surprise: "A lawyer married to a Judge?" He paused, looked at us both, and then added: "There isn't any collusion here, is there?" Then he threw back his head and laughed, thereby breaking the formal tension in the room, and creating an amiable atmosphere. Beth McKay, of Ottawa, writes: This memory of Prince Phillip is of one of his visits to the National Capital where there was ecumenical gathering of some sort with religious leaders of many faiths. Unfortunately it was pouring rain and, in his dry humour, the Prince quipped, “Surely between the lot of you you could have done something about the weather.” One of the religious leaders quickly responded, “We’re in sales, not management !”This, brought a smile to the faces of many of those gathered there. On another occasion I had the pleasure of being introduced to Prince Philip in the Officers Mess of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. At the end of his walkabout greeting everyone, he moved to sign the border of his portrait that had been hanging in the mess. When he approached he asked, “Where is the Regimental pen?” Surprisingly, the pen had disappeared . Suddenly a young officer offered his fountain pen to be used. One will never know if that pen holds a place of pride in the Officer’s home having been used to sign the portrait by the Prince or whether the original pen disappeared on purpose ! It will remain a mystery. THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Message on the Death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh April 9, 2021 OTTAWA—Throughout his long life, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh devoted himself to the people of the Commonwealth and of Canada. He stood by Her Majesty The Queen for more than six decades, a constant and reassuring presence. He valued community, duty and service. He believed in wildlife conservation, volunteerism and supporting young people. A tireless world traveller, he showed that Canada held a special place in his heart by visiting this country more than any other. The Duke of Edinburgh leaves a legacy that has touched so many, especially the hundreds of thousands of young participants in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards program. This program, which he established in Canada more than 50 years ago, has celebrated and encouraged service and excellence among young people across the country and around the world. His Royal Highness understood we must offer the next generations opportunities to succeed, and he believed in the power of youth to change the world for the better. As a sign of our enduring respect, His Royal Highness was made the very first Extraordinary Companion of the Order of Canada in 2013, a fitting tribute for an extraordinary man. He was also invested as Commander of the Order of Military Merit, an honour that speaks directly to his own military past and his commitment to our women and men in uniform. His Royal Highness devoted his life to his family and to fulfilling his unique role in our constitutional monarchy. Whether speaking with young Canadians about their hopes and dreams, presenting colours and meeting troops at military bases and events, or representing the Crown at state occasions, Prince Philip constantly showed his commitment to Canada. He was a great friend of this country and he will be dearly missed. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to the members of the Royal Family.                                                                                                                                            Richard Wagner                               Administrator of the Government of Canada

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿

Tuesday 12 August 1828

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Nice little motion 

Comfortable bed – slept well – out at 6 40/60 – went direct to the castle – met the porter near the gate – the castle not shewn till 9 – but he would shew me the exterior – went round with me – to the armoury – not worth seeing if not for some american Indian weapons, clothes, canoe etc. Some Barbary sheep in the grass court – fine views from the walls – cannot walk all round – a handsome old Saxon doorway or gateway – Do not like the stone figures perched on the tops of the battlements of the towers and great gateway – 

The porter obliged to give in all the names of visitors – asked mine – then asked if I was from Halifax – he a Halifax man – thought he had seen me before – on hearing of Shibden Hall asked after my uncle – knew all about me – sent him to make interest with the housekeeper to shew me the house – full of company – Lord Ravensworth etc. etc. there – saw the grand staircase (and inquire to the 1st landing then double very well) the state bedroom its dressing room and boudoir – the saloon, drawing room, comfortable sitting room, dining room and library and chapel – all good rooms in comfortable gothic style, and comfortably furnished – 

Impossible to see Northumberland house – the duke does not allow it to be shewn, and is very particular – nothing but an express order from himself can gain you admittance and he will not give exceptions to those he knows – in the chapel here the pedigree of the family from the 2nd Earl of Northumberland in 1331 – no mention of Sir Hugh Smithson – but simply that the heiress of the house of Percy married (in 1776?) Hugh duke of Northumberland – the porter’s name Carter – was in the blues – his father? had the pine-apple garden, near the North bridge, Halifax – shewed me the stables – 6 foot stalls with an air-hole or vent-hole above each rack, but no air-holes at the bottom of the stable, only the 2? storeys of windows that would open – 16 stalls in 1 stable – only coach horses there – the duke keeps neither hunters nor brood-mares – neither hunts nor breeds – quite domestic – a very good man – never had a cross word from him since he went – in land and money his £200,000 a year – the duchess very good – more so than the duke – very fine habitable castle – the house castle part built by the late duke – except the Saxon archway, saw nothing of a very early date – 

Left the castle at 8 – and off in a gig from the White Swan Inn at 8 1/4 – Dunstanborough castle about 9 miles north from Alnwick – the largest ruin all along the coast – 12 acres enclosed within the walls – another time go along the coast from Tynemouth castle taking this, Warkworth, Dunstanborough, Bamborough and Holy island to Berwick – you cross from the island over the sands to Beel (as pronounced) – Ledbury Turnpike at 8 3/4 and cross old narrow straight bridge over the small, dark brown Alne (pronounced allan) and through the small village of Ledbury – see the brick large village of Alnemouth (pronounced Alemouth) left, on the top of the hill, with level vessels lying in the little port, - the mouth of the river being broad – cross narrow old stone bridge] over broad shallow Coquet river and immediately enter the very good village or little town? of Warkworth – 2 good Inns, besides several inferior ones – 

Not having time to breakfast, alight at the little Inn close to the castle at 9 1/4 – a family lives there – walked up – got a little slice of bread and butter and afterwards drank at the hermit’s well – the old woman shewed me the castle – very handsome large ruin – the arched ground floor quite good – the large square tower a square with a bay-projection on every side – a capital good castle-house with large windows and rooms and immense kitchen fire-places and chimnies – good view from the walls – Dunstanborough too low to be seen from here – the observatory (the look-out) tower lately repaired, but the duke does not allow people to go there – locked up – very particular –

The remains of a church within the castle yard – not a place of great strength, but a capital baronial living castle – high above the town – fine looking ruin – just walked down to the river side (croquet, close below the castle), and got into the boat at 9 38/60 – in 8 minutes the had rowed me across and down to the hermitage – really very pretty – cut not of the sandstone-grit rock, rather furrowed and worn by the weather – the chapel with Gothic window frames cut out of the rock – very pretty, the ante-chapel or room the hermit lived in, and a very small bedroom – in the chapel near the alter lies the effigy of the lady with a 1/2 length warrior at her feet, and her crest a bull’s head near – 

2 miles of wooded walk along the river side beyond the hermitage – very pretty row – the water so dark and brown on account of the rains – otherwise quite clean – drink at the little well – very good water – in the boat again at 10, and in 7 minutes landed again, and walked back to the Inn – In the gig, and off again at 10 16/60 – the sea in view (left) for a long while – the steamers can come up the Coquet almost close under the castle – the river very deep in some parts 12 foot and in others hardly 2 foot – deep better the castle and the hermitage – the duke and duchess often go there, and take their company said the boatman – our gig-horse begins to flag a little – he walked 40 miles yesterday – 

At 11 1/4 pass Widdington castle a small modern castle house ‘nothing of a thing’ said my driver – none or very little old part to be seen – the church very near, probably built out of the old castle – Widdington, a goodish village apparently – at a considerable distance left a large pile of building – hardly finished – castle Baker built by some man of the name of Baker – then doze a little – a large house or 2 in building, by the way – particularly one at Ulgham, or what is the name of the village? – our horse takes a great deal of whipping – descend upon the pretty good brick town of Morpeth, and alight there at Mrs Peacock’s, the new Phenix Inn, quite 2nd rate, (on account of the Defence coach stopping there) at 12 3/4 – not having breakfasted, get luncheon there (cold boiled corned beef and biscuits and butter) and much the better for it – 

Had scarcely got in before it began to rain, and rained heavily all the while I was there – we had had a slight shower just out of Warkworth – great deal of rain had fallen hereabouts lately – no room inside – obliged to go outside – the people came in dripping wet – all in a bustle – some ladies (a mother 2 little girls, and a young governess) inside going to Ireland – it rained so heavily, went up and said I was obliged to go, could they take me inside? they did so very good humouredly (off at 1 50/60) – I, of course, endeavoured to agreeableize and got a dry ride to Newcastle – rained heavily every bit of the way – all I could make out was that my friend was not military now – Mrs Ralphhead – lives about 20 miles from the lake of Killarney – going from Liverpool on Friday to Cork per steam in 36 hours – packets go from Liverpool to Cork 3 times a month, and from Cork to Bristol every week? – thanked my friends – left them at the up and down hill town of Newcastle (still raining fast) 

At 3 40/60 and bustled off just in time to mount the True Briton and Tally O coach just starting for Darlington – waited in a little shop close by – off again (from Newcastle) at 4 – rained more or less for 50 minutes (straw behind us plenty of people and umbrellas – did not get wet) – stop at Chester-le-street to water the horses at 5 having just before passed Lumley castle (left) Lord Scarborough, at just before that the entrance gate to Lambton Lord Durham – Lumley castle looked like a 4 square castle at equal distances the interslices filled up by curtains of common house building not battlemented – 

10 minutes waiting at Chester-le-street – from the hill at the last turnpike fine view of Durham – then as we descend the green hill above us gradually shuts out even the cathedral till we cannot see it at all – 

Cross old bridge over the dark brown goodish river – at a little distance right fine handsome new 3 arch-bridge – the cathedral and close-houses (castellated) on the rock high above us and the river (wooded too along the banks here and there) very fine – enter the steep up and down hill old city – stop near the Waterloo Inn (and another part of the house the Waterloo hotel this is the head place to go to) at 6 – 

Off at 6 10/60 – coach full all the way – change horses at Bushyford (good large Inn, lone house) half way at 7 1/2 and alight at the King’s head Inn Darlington at 9 – have tea upstairs in a bedroom, there being no vacant sitting room – settle my accounts – wrote out all the above of today and had just done at 12 1/2 – to be off per mail at 1 –

3 Canadian military regiments without royal patron after Prince Andrew stripped of titles

3 Canadian military regiments without royal patron after Prince Andrew stripped of titles

Three Canadian regiments have been left without a patron after the Queen on Thursday stripped Prince Andrew of all his military titles and royal patronages. The Duke of York was the honorary colonel-in-chief of: the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, which has it’s armoury in Cambridge, Ont.; the Princess Louise Fusiliers, based in Halifax; and the Queen’s York Rangers, which has armouries in…

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Running to Jesus

Now that I am retired, I still work part time as access control at an Reserve Armoury, located here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is a very old building, that was originally completed in construction, back in 1899. The building is actually being refurbished, as an historical site, to the tune of millions and millions of dollars as we speak. Here is a picture of what it looks like from the outside…

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CFB Willow Expansion

&#39;They&#39;re suffering in their basements&#39;: PTSD awareness <b>event</b> held at Halifax Armoury

A fundraising event took place at the Halifax Armoury on Sunday aimed at creating awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding PTSD. from Google Alert - event http://ift.tt/2shos2S

Must avoid: Sheffield Wednesday's 4-goal transfer target reeks of Sam Winnall 2.0 - opinion

We are less than a week into January, but it is clear that Sheffield Wednesday would like to make their moves in the transfer market as early as possible.

The Owls chief Garry Monk told The Star:

“Like everyone, you would like to do it straight away and have it all done especially in this window.

“I don’t think January is a very good window to do recruitment in the general sense because not many teams want to lose their best players.

“Also in this market, when people are scrambling around looking at certain positions, things are overpriced and you have to be mindful of that.

“The key is to do good business if you are going to do it.”

With these comments in mind, recent reports via the Daily Mail link the club with a move for Stoke City striker Lee Gregory appear to be a little perplexing.

Watch Sheffield Wednesday Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

At 31 years of age, the forward wouldn’t help lower the squad’s average age, which currently ranks as the second oldest in the division.

Nor would he be a particularly inspiring option given his record in the second tier at Milwall and now the Potters.

Gregory is averaging a goal every 4.35 matches having bagged just 34 in 148 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

While this season, the veteran has netted just four goals 22 league games with Stoke struggling at the wrong end of the table. He even failed to score or assist against the Owls in their two meetings.

Monk currently has five options in the striking department so any incoming would need to be vastly different from the array of forwards at his disposal.

When taking a look at Gregory’s career overall, is he much different to Sam Winnall? Both players were lethal options in the doldrums of the Football League, but have struggled to repeat their exploits in the Championship.

The Owls striker has bagged just 22 times in 72 matches at this level but his record in League One as well as League Two sees him average one goal in just under three matches, via Transfermarkt.

It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?

Gregory’s record in the third tier is far greater too, scoring 35 goals in 78 appearances, which is nearly a goal every two games while his breakthrough at FC Halifax Town saw him bag 30 times in just one season.

It’s probably best that Monk steers clear of adding Gregory to his already ageing armoury, there are better options out there with Arsenal’s young hotshot Eddie Nketiah now available following his recall from local rivals Leeds United.

And in other Hillsborough news, fans have been left raving about this Bruce signing’s recent performance…

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/39HSEu6 via IFTTT from Blogger https://ift.tt/2T0ZDsi via IFTTT

Father finishes bike ride in Halifax in memory of daughter

It was an emotional journey that came to an end after a final push into Halifax.

Doug Harris cycled across Eastern Canada in memory of his late daughter.

While he's arrived at his destination, he hopes his mission and message will continue.

Harris had his daughter Kate on his mind as he made his way into Halifax Sunday afternoon.

“I was thinking about Kate. She actually worked in the building right to my left right now,” Harris said, pointing to the Halifax Armoury across the street from the Halifax Common. “So, it's a special place for me.”

On May 30, Doug Harris embarked on an ambitious journey to cycle from London, Ont., to Halifax as part of an initiative called For the Love of Kate I Ride.

“For the Love of Kate is a ride that my husband and I decided to do, that he needed to do, the bicycle riding, to raise awareness for help for suicide,” said Brenda Harris, Kate’s mom.

In August 2016, Doug and Brenda Harris tragically lost their daughter, Kate, to suicide.

“Kate was an amazing, bubbly, warm on the outside, happy-go-lucky, silly girl,” said Doug Harris. “Took life seriously, but, also had a lot of fun, could be goofy. She did a lot of good.”

Kate was born in Ontario, but, lived and died in Halifax.

After her death, the Harris family wanted to help raise funds for St. Joseph's Health Care London and their Zero Suicide initiative.

“(It’s) an initiative that has been in the States and in the U.K. for quite a while,” said Brenda Harris. “It is working there. London is the first hospital to have it there and it is to make sure that nobody falls through the cracks. That anybody that needs help, gets the help that they need & they can reach out to them.”

The Harris family also wants to raise awareness about suicide in hopes that no other family will be in the same situation they are.

“I want suicide not to be a dirty word and truly it is with so many people,” Doug Harris said. “They just don't want to talk about it. They don't want to talk about their own depression, their own issues. I want to see that change.”

Said Brenda Harris:“Let people know if you need help. If you need help, there's help out there. There's no shame in saying you need help.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Natasha Pace.

from CTV News - Atlantic http://bit.ly/2KwKmMj

@matlantivex: A cyclist has been ticketed for failing to yield to traffic when entering a roundabout after a collision with a vehicle Thursday morning. #Halifax Regional Police were called to North Park Street near the Halifax Armoury at around 9:20 a.m. https://t.co/PW0V2H7hQC

A cyclist has been ticketed for failing to yield to traffic when entering a roundabout after a collision with a vehicle Thursday morning. #Halifax Regional Police were called to North Park Street near the Halifax Armoury at around 9:20 a.m. https://t.co/PW0V2H7hQC

From @northendrunners — FRIDAY // get down with the hills. Meet at 6pm on the armoury corner of the Halifax Common for a workout . . . #speedwork #throwupfriday #fastfam #tuf http://ift.tt/2y3oQ7H

via : Halifax

at Halifax Armoury

Getting festive with Canada’s Armed Forces

Since the time of its founding, Montréal – in large part because of its unique geographical location within Canada, its port to the ocean and its close proximity the U.S. – has played a unique role in the military history of Québec and Canada. It’s still true today. On the occasion of Montréal’s 375th anniversary, the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force have come together to create an exciting program to celebrate its unique military heritage. Titled “Your Canadian Armed Forces, At the Heart of History,” the festivities – presented by members of the 2nd Canadian Division and Joint Task Force (East) – take place May 12-20 in the Old Port of Montréal.

Climb aboard a Canadian warship

HMCS Montréal, a Halifax-class frigate which has been deployed on anti-terrorism missions in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, as well as several NATO missions, will provide a fascinating few hours for anyone interested in these powerful protectors. She’ll be welcoming visitors for nearly a week down at the Clock Tower dock in the Old Port, rolling out the gangplank May 13-15 and 17 (9 am to 12 pm) and May 12, 19 and 20 (9 am to 4 pm).

Une publication partagée par Jad Abou Khalil (@jabouk) le 1 Mai 2016 à 7h35 PDT

The pipes are a-callin’

A one-of-a-kind military music concert, titled “Hommage à Montréal,” will celebrate the city’s vibrant music culture and diversity. Special guests include jazz pianist Julie Lamontagne and the inimitable Black Watch Pipes & Drums from The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), whose downtown armoury home provides an interesting historical/architectural counterpoint to the adjacent Quartier des Spectacles. At the Clock Tower dock May 13, 12:30 pm.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s both!

Canada’s much-beloved Air Force air demonstration team, the Snowbirds, will put on one of their signature high-flying, death-defying and breathtaking shows over the Old Port. It’s all part of a military air show – the largest air show ever hosted in Montréal – that will also include appearances by the Canadian Forces Parachute Team (the SkyHawks), CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and the 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron teams. It all goes up May 13 and 14 starting at 2 pm, and will also be broadcast live on Facebook here.

Une publication partagée par E M M A (@emma.lavoie) le 10 Avril 2017 à 8h50 PDT

A rich military tradition

In celebration of the proud military history of the city, several Armed Forces units will rendezvous at Montréal City Hall for a ceremony with the mayor on May 14 starting at 11 am. Situated at the heart of a network of waterways, the city’s ideal location has facilitated the transport of troops, resupply and military logistics operations since the 17th century. Its Montréal Garrison base is the home of the 2nd Canadian Division Headquarters, responsible for all members of the Canadian Army based in Québec. Following the ceremony, a parade will take the soldiers to Place Saint-Laurent in the Old Port for a display of their military equipment and vehicles. Soldiers will be on hand to take questions.

Who doesn’t love a parade?

On the morning of May 17, get ready for a large military parade starting at City Hall and rumbling its way over to the crown jewel of Montréal churches, Notre-Dame Basilica. The parade will take place in the morning to the sound of a hundred church bells after high mass. It will conclude with a ceremony held at Place d’Armes (the site of various military events in the 1700s) with the laying of a wreath of flowers and a military bonfire.

Must do:

Watch the Snowbirds bedazzle spectators with amazing aerial skill over the Old Port

Listen to The Black Watch pipers practice outside the armoury on Bleury Street

Salute a soldier in front of Montréal City Hall

Stare down the barrel of a Bofors Mk3 57mm main gun on the HMCS Montréal

Stroll through Old Montréal, imagining soldiers of centuries past marching on its cobblestone streets

Up next:Montréal history awes in Montréal Avudo

  The post Getting festive with Canada’s Armed Forces appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

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Government of Canada invests in new armoury for Halifax Army Reserve

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have modern and functional facilities in which to work and train. To meet the current operational requirements of the Halifax Army Reserve, the construction of a new armoury at Willow Park was announced today by Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan. The new Willow Park Armoury represents an investment of $66 million, and construction is expected to be completed by the fall of 2018. 

The new armoury will support the important work being done by 36 Service Battalion, 36 Signal Regiment, and 33 Field Ambulance by bringing them together into one facility. The armoury’s design will improve the units’ ability to train, work, and deploy on exercises and operations by providing well-configured administration and training facilities, an outdoor compound for their respective military vehicle fleets, and facilities for storing and maintaining other equipment.

MP Fillmore also announced three other infrastructure investments of $21 million in the Halifax area today: the next phase of the rehabilitation of the North Park Armoury in Halifax, upgrades to various naval jetties at the Halifax Dockyard, as well as pavement work at the Department of National Defence’s Shearwater airfield.

 Quotes 

“As a former reservist myself, I know that a well-trained and well-supported Reserve Force is key to our ability to meet current and future security and defence needs at home and abroad. The new Willow Park Armoury will ensure local Army Reserve units have the facilities they need to work and train, now and well into the future.”

Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

“In addition to supporting the military women and men working in our community who make us so proud, this investment will bring meaningful jobs to the local economy, and sustain economic growth in our province for years to come.”

Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax 

Quick Facts

36 Service Battalion provides logistics support, including Combat Service Support, to sustain the 36 Canadian Brigade Group and the CAF’s domestic and international operations. 

36 Signal Regiment trains combat capable signalers who enable command and control of CAF units deployed in domestic and expeditionary operations. The Regiment also supports other 36 Canadian Brigade Group units during training exercises.

33 Field Ambulance trains personnel to provide healthcare services support to the 36 Canadian Brigade Group and the CAF, domestically and internationally.

Following the construction of the new armoury, three existing buildings at Willow Park that currently house 36 Service Battalion will be demolished as part of this project. This will complement DND’s extensive redevelopment of the Willow Park site in recent years.

Other investments in the area include: 

Rehabilitation of the North Park Armoury will begin in the coming months, and will ensure this National Historic Site and classified Heritage Building continues to support the Army Reserve in Halifax. It will house The Princess Louise Fusiliers and The Halifax Rifles (Royal Canadian Armoured Corps), as well as two army cadet corps. The upcoming phase of the project will involve reconstruction of the west wall. 

Repairs and upgrades to various jetties at the Halifax Dockyard will include replacement of lighting infrastructure and electrical transformers, as well as repairs to jetty structural elements.

Work at the Shearwater airfield will include pavement upgrades, repair and replacement of existing lighting on the ramps and approaches to the airfield, as well as restoration of security and task lighting. 

These three projects represent an investment of over $21 million, and are part of the $200 million announced in Budget 2016 for investments in infrastructure at CAF bases and other defence properties across Canada.