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Poppy Flag raising October 26 2026

Poppy campaign underway in Fort Frances area

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Poppies are now on sale in Fort Frances.

The Legion’s annual campaign was officially launched with a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Centre.

Wearing a poppy allows people to remember and honour Canadians who fought in past wars and sacrificed for our freedoms.

Poppies are free, but the Legion welcomes donations.

Branch 29 President Simone Laser says the money that is raised goes to a variety of programs.

“It stays local. We use it for bursaries and scholarships for kids. We use it for helping support veterans directly, also their families and now members of the RCMP as well,” says Laser.

Displays are being set up across the community where residents can pick up a poppy.

They are also available at the Legion on Church Street.

Mayor Andrew Hallikas encourages everyone to wear one.

“I encourage everyone in Fort Frances and the district to proudly wear a poppy over your heart until Remembrance Day to show your recognition and respect for the sacrifice made for you by our veterans and as a visual symbol of remembrance,” says Hallikas.

“I salute and commend the Royal Canadian Legion for the important work that they do in honouring and supporting our veterans and promoting remembrance of their sacrifice.”

They are also available at the Legion on Church Street.

The Legion says the Poppy should be worn on the left side, over the heart.

firefighters near fire

Residents advised of Navy firefighter training in Herring Cove

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Residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), particularly those in the Herring Cove area, are being advised of nighttime helicopter firefighter training this week.

The training will take place at the Naval Fleet School Atlantic’s Damage Control Division in Herring Cove, off John Brackett Drive, on Thursday, July 16, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Royal Canadian Navy officials say the exercises are held twice a year as part of the Damage Control Division’s broader training program, helping ensure Canadian Armed Forces members are prepared to respond to fires aboard ships and aircraft after dark.

They note that flames from the helicopter firefighting training may be visible to nearby residents and boaters along the coast. While the flames may appear large, officials stress they will be fully controlled and monitored by on-site safety teams.

Navy officials add that local emergency services, including 9-1-1 operations, will not be affected by the training. They also apologize for any inconvenience caused to residents and motorists in the area.

A sandy beach next to a forest covered cliff

RCMP, CAF work together to remove old explosive washed ashore in Portapique

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Residents in the Portapique area are being advised about a military and police presence after an explosive device washed up on shore.

Officers assure that there is no risk to public safety as long as all directions from experts are followed.

Colchester County RCMP, along with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), are at Beachcomer Lane in Portapique. They say the explosive appears to be an old military ordinance that came in with the tides, and that criminality is not believed to be a factor.

People in the area can expect to hear a muffled explosion, similar to the sound of a gunshot, while the explosive is being removed.

House Construction

N.B. funding skills training for veterans, military members

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The Holt government announced funding to help veterans and military members find second careers.

The province will provide $275,000 to Helmets to Hardhats Canada and for its Skills Edge program.

The program helps members of New Brunswick’s military community get into the construction industry, providing employment readiness support, outreach and pathways into apprenticeship and certification.

“We are going to need thousands of new employees in the skilled trades industry in the coming years,” Post-secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours said in a statement.

“Helping former soldiers, reservists and their families launch a second career in a critical industry is an exciting opportunity.”

D’Amours said programs like Skills Edge will help drive New Brunswick’s economic development strategy.

He added a skilled and adaptable workforce is vital to the province’s growth.

Helmets to Hardhats executive director James Hogarth said the organization is proud to partner with the province.

He said the investment reflects a shared commitment to recognizing the skills and discipline members of the military community can bring to the civilian workforce.

“By supporting clear pathways into unionized construction careers, we are opening doors to meaningful, long-term employment for those who have served our country,” Hogarth said.

The chair of the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Board, Rick Smith, said the program is just what New Brunswick needs right now.

“We’re always looking for job-ready people,” Smith said. “Skills Edge helps deliver that.”

Smith said participants in the program understand job site expectations, take safety seriously and are committed to staying in the industry.

max bernays

Atlantic businesses can now apply for federal defence funding

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Atlantic Canadian businesses can now apply for defence-related funding.

The feds plan to pay a total of $38.2 million over three years on defence initiatives from small and medium Atlantic enterprises.

Eligible work includes research, boosting productivity, and connecting to defence supply chains at home and abroad.

The money comes from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, which is managed by Minister Sean Fraser.

Businesses can apply through the defence investment website.

flag of Canada under blue sky at daytime

Canadian Armed Forces apologize for systemic racism and discrimination

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n a solemn ceremony held in Ottawa on October 30, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) issued a formal apology to current and former members who have experienced systemic racism, racial discrimination, and harassment during their military service.

The apology was delivered by General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann, CAF Chief Warrant Officer.

The event marked a significant moment in the CAF’s ongoing efforts to acknowledge and address the harm caused by systemic racism within its ranks. “We failed you,” said General Carignan. “This apology is not the end of our work; it is the beginning of renewed and unwavering action.”

Chief Warrant Officer McCann added, “Racism and discrimination were not isolated incidents. They were tolerated, sometimes hidden, and too often excused. That is a failure of our culture and our leadership.”

The apology was informed by consultations held earlier this year with individuals who have lived experience, including veterans and current members, as well as academic experts. Nearly 300 people attended the ceremony, which also featured remarks from Indigenous Elder Albert Dumont and former Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

The CAF emphasized that the apology is part of a broader institutional commitment to reform. To date, all eight recommendations from the National Apology Advisory Committee have been addressed, and nearly 80% of the recommendations from the Minister of National Defence’s Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination have been implemented.

Support services are available for those affected, as the CAF continues its work to build a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace for all.