Shriners gather in the Sault to welcome new members
Nearly 500 Shriners and their partners from across Ontario gathered in the Sault for the philanthropic organization's annual Fall Ceremonial.
It's at this event that all new members are sworn in.
Randy McNevin, Board Chair for Shriners Ontario West, says that 11 new members, aged 28 to 66.
“They are Masons in good standings and they have petitioned to become Shriners. So we do a ceremony to initiate them and welcome them into the fraternity.”
In addition to the Ceremonial, the more than 300 members held a parade in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, for the young ones and the kids at heart.
“The parade is critical. It gives us a chance, because we brag about the Shriners being fun; well we want to be out there for the community, to show the community that we are fun. So it’s our way of saying thank you to the city and especially to the kids,” Harry Thomas, organizer of the event and Shriner from the Sault to CTV News.In addition to the Ceremonial, the more than 300 members held a parade in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, for the young ones and the kids at heart. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)This is the first Ceremonial in 3 years because of the pandemic. Thomas noted how excited members were to see one another again.
“Having this is really important, not only to bring the new members in, but so we can reacquaint ourselves with our friends and Nobles from around the country, and people from the states that have been up,” Thomas added.
The main goal of the Shriners is to raise funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal.
As part of the Ceremonial, visiting clubs donated over $215,000 to the main Shriner organization, with the majority of that going to the hospital.
Rene St-Arnaud is a Shriner himself and the Director of Research at the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
He says these funds are critical.
“We’re able to extend specialty care programs because of the donations. The research program, for example, is not supported by the government,” St-Arnaud explained.
It had been over 50 years since the event was last in the Sault.
To mark the occasion, the Mocha Shriners held their first ever concert series, featuring Burton Cummings, Marianas Trench and the Trews.
Funds from those shows will also go towards the Children's Hospital.
Though the exact figures haven't been calculated yet, organizers say the event was a huge success.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.