Ceremony commemorates the standing down of 5th Canadian Division in Halifax

The 5th Canadian Division is seen during the ceremony. (CTV/Brianne Foley)

The 5th Canadian Division is standing down to modernize the military in Canada. A Sunset Ceremony in Halifax Saturday honoured the dedication and history of the Division.

“It’s obviously an incredibly significant moment for the Canadian Army and for the members of the 5th Canadian Division,” said Lieutenant-General Mike Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army.

“Doing it here in Halifax at the at the Oval represents our history and heritage back as far as 1917 and as far back as 1749,” added Brig.-Gen. Mark Parsons, Commander of the 5^th Canadian Division. “This is where soldiers stood guard of Halifax. And so, it’s fitting for us to come back here one last time as a division.”

Adapting to the times is why the Division is retiring.

“But this isn’t the first time that we’ve retired the division or that we’ve taken them off the active order of battle. It happened at the end of the First World War. It happened at the end of the Second World War,” explained Wright.

“But as opposed to those two times where it was because we were drawing down, the reason that we’re standing them down now is because we are reestablishing the army the way that we need to be set up for the defense of Canada to be a reliable, credible partner around the world, and to be ready to help grow not only the Canadian Army, but the Canadian Armed Forces.”

The Division was a combination of Regular and Reserve units throughout the Atlantic provinces. Its headquarters was in Halifax.

The Division is standing down as a part of ongoing initiatives to build a more modern, agile, and mission-ready military.

“It’s a very emotional day. Obviously, with our standing down of the division over 100 years of history, that is a that’s a lot to go through,” said Parsons. “But we’re actually very excited with the challenges that are going to be brought forward within the Canadian Army and how Atlantic Canadians and the units of the 5th Canadian Division are to contribute to the modernization of the Army.”

“I think the most exciting thing is just the incredible investments and the excitement we’re seeing from across Canada,” added Wright about the changes. “We’re in the midst of a modernization effort where it’s all about bringing in new people, some pretty exciting capabilities, and making sure that we have the right structure for the missions of today and tomorrow.”

The Sunset Ceremony commemorated the Division’s long-standing historic connection to both the Atlantic provinces and the Canadian Army.

“The passing of the flag from myself over to the commander of the Canadian Army signifies that passage of this unit into his care,” explained Parsons of the ceremony. “So that should there be a requirement for the 5th Canadian Division to resurface that he has the interest of that unit.”

While it was a day that carried significance, it also carried dignity.

“I think it was a beautiful experience. A great way to cap off a long service to the Canadian public,” said Warrant Officer Jonathan Haggett of the 5^th Division. “I’ve done this for 19 years in a musical support role. And to do it with the fog coming over the hill and the combined mass bands playing pipes, and drums, and brass. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful experience. I feel pride, happiness, and I’m glad to have been a part of it and to help support local Canadians around me in my role as a reservist.”

A sentiment that was echoed by the commanding officer.

“I feel pride. Pride in the soldiers that were on parade. Pride in the accomplishments that we’ve had over not only the past two years, for the last 13 years at the fifth Canadian Division has been here, in fact, and throughout the Atlantic provinces,” added Parsons. “But also, a personal pride for the successes that we’ve seen on domestic operations overseas in Latvia and across the globe.”

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