Increased military presence expected in northern, central Ontario

A Canadian Army Reserve transport vehicle preparing to travel to Meaford, Ont. for Exercise Stalwart Guardian, a major annual Canadian Army field exercise, held at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre. (Facebook/33 Canadian Brigade Group)

Increased military traffic can be expected on major highways in northern and central Ontario on Aug. 18 and again on Aug. 27.

Canadian Army Reserve personnel and vehicles from across 4th Canadian Division will conduct convoy operations as they travel to and from Exercise Stalwart Guardian, a major annual Canadian Army field exercise, happening this year at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, Ont. from Aug. 18 to 27.

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“Hundreds of Canadian Army Infantry and support personnel will converge on at 4th Canadian Division Training Centre for an extended period of simulated combat operations,” said the 33 Canadian Brigade Group on social media.

The operations will be led by the 33 Canadian Brigade, headquartered in Ottawa and will include soldiers from the 32 Canadian Brigade Group which is headquartered in Toronto.

“Members of the public may see increased military traffic with Canadian Army vehicles travelling on various area roads including Ontario Highways 400, 401, 407, 410, 416, 417, 115, 69, 11, 10 and others,” said Canadian Army officials.

“This military traffic will follow pre-planned routes between the Greater Toronto Area, Peterborough, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville, Sudbury, North Bay, Cornwall and Ottawa and will transit Barrie, Orillia, Huntsville, Collingwood, Parry Sound, Bancroft and other locations on the way to Meaford.”

Increased military traffic can be expected on major highways in northern and central Ontario on Aug. 18 and again on Aug. 27. Canadian Army Reserve personnel and vehicles from across 4th Canadian Division will conduct convoy operations as they travel to and from Exercise Stalwart Guardian, a major annual Canadian Army field exercise, happening this year at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, Ont. (Facebook/33 Canadian Brigade Group)

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Ontario Provincial Police said that the participating military personnel will conduct planned, short stops and longer halts throughout the duration of the road moves, stopping for rest, fuel, scheduled maintenance and other training and residents and motorists may see uniformed Canadian Army personnel with unloaded weapons traveling on area roads and highways.

“Participating soldiers will not carry any ammunition,” the Department of National Defence said in a news release.

Military officials said this important training supports the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces, allowing for greater tactical mobility and flexibility on the modern battlefield.

“Canadian Army exercises also help maintain readiness to respond to emergencies in Canadian communities, including natural disasters like flooding and wildfires,” said the defence department.

“Our members always prepare to deploy in response to requests for assistance and to serve alongside community members and other first responders.”