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Ottawa, Monday, June 25, 2007
It is wonderful to be here on Parliament Hill for the inspection of the Ceremonial Guard, as this site has played such an important part in the history of the Guard.
As commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, and as honorary colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards and of the Canadian Grenadier Guards, I am pleased to see so many visitors here today.
Indeed, for almost half a century, visitors from across Canada and around the world have come here to admire the precision and the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
And as the Ceremonial Guard marks the 48th anniversary of its Public Duties—which include the Changing of the Guard and the Guard Mount at Rideau Hall—this year is also the 26th anniversary of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard.
I am very glad to mention that this band is one of the finest military ensembles in Canada, with many of its members coming from conservatories and music schools from across Canada.
Let me tell you something of the history of the two regiments that make up the Ceremonial Guard.
Both regiments can trace their roots back to before Confederation. The Governor General’s Foot Guards, based here in Ottawa, grew out of the Civil Service Rifle Corps, formed in Quebec City in 1861.
The Governor General’s Foot Guards was officially founded in 1872 under Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Ross.
In his application to have the Regiment created, one of the objectives was, “to add pomp and circumstance to the new capital.”
I think we can all agree that they have succeeded!
However, the role of the Foot Guards has been far from ceremonial.
In more recent times, members of this Regiment have served in Cyprus, Somalia, Haiti, Croatia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Afghanistan, among others.
The Canadian Grenadier Guards, based in Montreal, have an equally storied past.
It is Canada’s oldest militia unit, with a history that stretches back to 1764, when Colonel Frederick Haldimand ordered the formation of a volunteer unit from Trois-Rivières to contribute to the defence of Canada.
In recent times, the Regiment’s soldiers have served with UN missions in the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Egypt, and the Golan Heights, among others.
I think the most powerful example of their active role is the fact that two of the soldiers on parade today will be receiving the Medal of Military Valour for their selfless and courageous actions in Afghanistan.
Ladies and gentlemen, the young women and men standing before you today are a vital link to Canada’s proud military past, and they are also actively involved in defending values of freedom, justice and equality that are so dear to us.
On behalf of your fellow Canadians, I salute you. And I wish each and every one of you the very best in carrying out your Public Duties this summer!