Canada Company's open house

Montreal, Quebec — Canada Company held an open house, on 18 June in Pointe-Picard, to raise money in support of the families of deployed Canadian soldiers.

“We’re here today because men and women in uniform are giving of their time on deployment outside Canada and far from their families,” said Steve Gregory, president of the Quebec chapter of Canada Company.

Canada Company was created in 2006 to support deployed soldiers by offering services to their families. The organization is seeking funding and partners to better fulfil its mandate.

The open house had two goals: to attract and inform business people and Quebec companies in order to encourage them to become collaborators and sponsors, and to raise funds to send children of deployed soldiers to summer camps.

“I can’t imagine the stress that [deployment] can cause for a family. We’re trying to offer families some temporary peace of mind and offer children a healthy distraction so that they can enjoy themselves,” added Mr. Gregory.

Canada Company also gives out scholarships to children of fallen soldiers. These can amount to a maximum of $16,000, in instalments of $4,000 per year to each recipient. In the past year, seven children were awarded this scholarship.

The day began with a speech by Brigadier-General Guy Laroche on leadership and its similarities when practiced in the military and business environments. Guests then visited kiosks, looked at artefacts from military museums, participated in the silent auction (with profits going to Canada Company) and admired the 3rd Montreal Field Battery of Artillery as they fired off a few salvos.

The exhibitors from 34 Canadian Brigade Group shared their knowledge with the audience. Participants tasted combat rations, used mine detectors, tried on frag vests, tactical vests and steel helmets and carried rucksacks weighing roughly 60 lbs.

“People see photos of our equipment on TV but don’t realize how heavy it can be,” said Sergeant William Lucas of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal.

Canada Company is also involved in a project called Operation HUSKY 2013, the organizing of a memorial walk in Sicily in July 2013. The landing of the British, American and Canadian Forces in Sicily on 10 July 1943 was code-named Operation HUSKY. People participating in the excursion will follow in the footsteps of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, which participated in the Sicily campaign.

Article and photos: MCpl Jean-Nicolas Minville, Army News, Montreal