Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, invited the public to join him for the annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard, on the grounds of Rideau Hall.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, received the Viceregal salute.

Over the course of the summer, visitors can come to Rideau Hall and witness the pageantry, precision and colour of the Relief of the Sentries, which runs from June 24 to August 24, every hour, on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to sentry duty at Rideau Hall, they perform the Changing of the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill each day at 10 a.m., and fulfill sentry duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the National War Memorial, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. When required, the Ceremonial Guard mounts guards of honour for visiting dignitaries.

The Band of the Ceremonial Guard is the largest in the Canadian Forces; outside of public duties, they perform in public concerts and at military functions and other ceremonies throughout the National Capital Region.

Following the inspection, the Governor General addressed the Guard. "Your intensive training shines through on this day and is a testament both to your commitment to excellence and to your command staff and instructors. You make them proud and, as commander-in-chief, you make me proud as well."

His Excellency joined members of the Ceremonial Guard for a group photo.

The Ceremonial Guard is a unit of the Canadian Forces that performs a variety of public duties in Ottawa between late June and the end of August.