The Ceremonial Guard parade on Parliament Hill.
OTTAWA, Ontario —This summer 105 soldiers from 34 Canadian Brigade Group Montreal left family and friends to serve in the nation’s capital.

‘’Our aim is to put out a good parade every day,’’ says Captain Tim Walshaw, a Company Commander with the Ceremonial Guard. ‘’We teach them the skills they need to accomplish their tasks and when we’re not on parade we’re training for war.’’

Members of The Canadian Grenadier Guards and the Governor General’s Foot Guards as well as other Reservists from across Canada form the Ceremonial Guard.

The Ceremonial Guard can be seen each morning in downtown Ottawa, marching from the Cartier Square Drill Hall to Parliament Hill. An average of 3000 tourists line the streets daily to watch what has become a popular attraction, a tradition dating back to 1959.

Prior to parading on Parliament Hill and performing sentry duties outside of the Governor General’s residence at Rideau Hall, the morning routine begins with physical fitness training and inspection.

Performing public duties is demanding. While rifle drill and physical fitness are both attributed to military service, parading in an elaborate, yet ‘climatically challenged’ uniform has its ups and downs. Heat exhaustion is not unheard of.

Cpl Catherine Lacroix from the Royal Canadian Hussars in Montreal is now in her 4th year with the Ceremonial Guard. ‘’I really love the ceremonial aspect of the military in the nation’s capital – especially the celebrations on Canada Day,’’ she says. ‘’This summer employment has helped me to pay for my university studies.’’ Cpl Lacroix will graduate from Concordia University later this year.

For family, friends and visitors unable to attend the ceremonies in Ottawa are invited to the ‘’The Beating Retreat Ceremony’’ that takes place at Montreal’s City Hall. This historical ceremony marks the end of the day where soldiers prepared for the beginning of the night sentry watch at sunset.