2014 Annual Inspection of the Ceremonial Guard

The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief inspected 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.

During the Relief of the Sentries, which runs, every hour, on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., all days during Summer, Sentries march to their posts in front of Rideau Hall and at Sussex Gate.

When required, the Ceremonial Guard mounts guards of honour for visiting dignitaries.

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

During the inspection, His Excellency said a few words to some members of the Ceremonial Guard.

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

"You are part of a strong tradition of service to Canada. Every aspect of your dress and deportment exudes Canadian heritage and history, and through you, we see an image of ourselves and of our country. As commander-in-chief of Canada, I am proud to wear the uniform and to serve as colonel of two of the regiments that form your ranks: the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the Governor General’s Foot Guards."

Visitors were able to witness the pageantry, precision and colour of the Ceremonial Guard.

The Ceremonial Guard is composed of reserve and regular force soldiers who serve in more than 70 Canadian Armed Forces regiments and units from all across this vast country of ours. This year’s Guard will again consist of members from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force, making the Guard truly representative of the Canadian Armed Forces as a whole.