Canadian Rangers Celebrate 20 Years in Northern Ontario

COCHRANE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 27, 2014) - Department of National Defence

Members of the Canadian Rangers and other military personnel will conduct a unique long-range military surveillance patrol over 2,250 kilometres by snowmobile, departing on January 26, to celebrate 20 years of service by 3 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in the remote and isolated First Nation communities of Northern Ontario.

The patrol begins at Nabiski Lake near the Ontario border with Manitoba. It is travelling along the coasts of Hudson Bay and James Bay and visiting five First Nations before arriving in Moose Factory. It will then drive south to arrive in Cochrane at noon on Saturday, February 1, the opening day of the town's winter carnival, the oldest of its kind in Ontario.

The patrol's arrival in Cochrane on Saturday, February 1 will be recognized in a formal ceremony. The Rangers will spend the weekend in Cochrane, then travel on the Polar Bear Express train that runs between Cochrane and Moose Factory and snowmobile back to their communities. Patrol members are from Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Fort Severn, Kashechewan, Moose Factory, and Peawanuck.

The arrival of the Rangers in Cochrane will provide exceptional opportunities for video and still-photographs. Members of the media will be able to record the patrol's arrival on the outskirts of the town and at the winter carnival site on Commando Lake in the heart of the community. Rangers and other military personnel will be available.

Quick Facts

• The history of the Rangers in Ontario goes back to the period of the 1950s to the 1970s when a small number of Rangers provided security at remote military sites before being disbanded. In 1993, Canadian Rangers Ontario was officially formed as a Primary Reserve Unit under the Vice Chief of the Defence staff. They returned with the opening of a patrol in Moose Factory on February 14, 1994. There are now 450 Rangers in 23 First Nation communities across Northern Ontario. About 98 per cent of them are Cree, Oji-Cree, and Ojibway and 30 per cent are female. They are part-time army reservists.

• In the last 20 years they have created a remarkable record of service to the people of Northern Ontario. Rangers have been involved in search and rescue operations for missing hunters, trappers, fishers, and overdue travellers. They have rescued the crew of a downed plane, and played key roles in evacuations of several First Nation communities threatened by forest fires, tainted water, and spring flooding. Their service has been recognized with medals, awards, and commendations.

Quotes

"I want to congratulate the Canadian Rangers on their 20 years of service in Northern Ontario. Their presence in some of Ontario's most remote communities is key to ensuring that the Canadian Army is ready to defend Canada and to provide assistance to populations in need. Over the last two decades, the Canadian Rangers have provided invaluable service to their communities and the Canadian Army, and have proven that they are strong, proud, and ready."

Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander of the Canadian Army

"The significant contributions that the Canadian Rangers provide are invaluable to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and to all Canadians. Whether conducting sovereignty and surveillance patrols, participating in search and rescue operations, or providing assistance to natural disaster relief operations, the Rangers are an outstanding resource and execute their roles extremely well."

Brigadier-General Omer Lavoie, Commander 4^th Canadian Division

"Twenty years is a significant benchmark. We have never done a long-range surveillance patrol like this before. So we thought what better way to celebrate than to showcase the capabilities of the Canadian Rangers in Ontario to the communities we serve and to the Canadian Army. Surveillance is one of the national tasks given to the Rangers across Canada. They look for anything that is unusual or suspect, which could be anything from an environmental issue to people operating on the land without permission."

Captain Mark Rittwage, Officer Commanding 3^rd Canadian Ranger Company

Associated Links

Canadian Rangers

3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group