Freedom of the City ceremony in Halifax celebrates centennial anniversary of the Naval Reserve
More than 100 members from HMCS Scotian marched through the streets of downtown Halifax Sunday to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Naval Reserve in Canada.
“It’s an honour bestowed on a city to its militia, in our case the Naval Reserve, to be able to have the freedom to bear arms and march through the city without being arrested or causing problems,” explained Kyle Penney, commanding officer of HMCS Scotian, .
The Freedom of the City ceremony includes a parade which is a symbolic gesture honouring military units with historical, social and geographical ties to the region. It acknowledges their dedicated service and fosters strong bonds between the unit and the residents.
Members of HMCS Scotian marched to the front steps of City Hall, where Mayor Mike Savage was there to welcome them.
“It shows the relationship between the city, the community and the militia reserve. Traditionally the militia and the navy reserves would help protect the communities that they were in,” said Penney.
Mayor Mike Savege speaks to members of the HMCS Scotian for the Freedom of the City ceremony. (CTV/Hafsa Arif)
Sunday was Sub-Lt. Omar Bitar’s first time participating in the parade.
“I’m extremely proud to be in the Navy. I have an older brother who serves full-time on the regular force, so just doing my part. I’m also in university, so [I’m] just participating and giving as much to the navy as I can,” said Bitar.
Members of the HMCS Scotian march past the camera at Halifax City Hall for the Freedom of the City ceremony. (CTV/Hafsa Arif)There are 24 naval reserves across Canada. HMCS Scotian is the only reserve unit in Nova Scotia, along with 4 others on the East Coast.
Between the Navy and city, the relationship has deep roots, said Bitar.
“In this town, especially in Halifax, the Navy is really important, so just keeping up relations with the public and establishing out presence.”
A celebration that not only pays homage to the past but also looks ahead to the future.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Speaker Fergus apologizes, facing cross-party condemnation for video played at partisan Liberal event
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized to MPs on Monday about a 'personal' video tribute message played this weekend at the Ontario Liberal Party leadership convention, but two opposition parties say that's not enough and are now calling for him to resign over his 'unacceptable' participation in a partisan event.
4 in custody after 'brutal' death of Quebec entrepreneur, partner in Dominica
Four people are in police custody after Quebec businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand were found dead in Dominica.
Lawyer for families of Bernardo victims wants different prison transfer rules for violent offenders
Tim Danson, the lawyer and legal counsel for the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, who were killed by Paul Bernardo, is calling for changes to the way prison transfers are handled for violent offenders.
NDP calling on Liberals to establish special immigration measures to help Canadians with families in Gaza
The federal NDP is urging the Liberals to immediately create special immigration measures to allow the evacuation of extended family members of Canadians and permanent residents in Gaza.
WATCH
WATCH Virus season: 'High-risk' of transmission, warns Ontario's top doctor
As respiratory season gets underway, Ontario's top doctor is urging the public to get vaccinated and warning the province is entering a time of 'high-risk of transmission' at a time where COVID-19 and RSV cases are on the rise.
Unity Acquisitions snaps up much of toy store Mastermind, 18 stores to close
Ailing toy retailer Mastermind GP Inc. says it has reached a deal to sell the bulk of its business to a company representing three big names in the Canadian retail world.
Here's how many people will be at risk of homelessness by 2030, according to this AI
An artificial intelligence algorithm has estimated that Canada’s homeless population will almost double by 2030. Researchers fear a lack of action will make this prediction come true.
opinion
opinion As Trump burns though cash, powerful Republicans are rallying behind a surging candidate
With less than 50 days until Republican voters begin the process of determining their nominee to take on President Joe Biden, political analyst Eric Ham writes about a storm brewing within the GOP -- as super-donors align behind a surging candidate who could pose a threat to frontrunner Donald Trump.
Dam threatens to burst in the Laurentians, residents evacuated from homes
People living in Chute-Saint-Philippe and Lac-des-Ecorces in the Laurentians are being asked to evacuate their homes due to potential infrastructure issues at the Kiamika dam and Morier dike.
Toronto
-
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose, with one police officer sustaining minor injuries during the effort to apprehend the marsupial.
-
'A lot' of COVID-19, flu circulating in Ontario right now: Moore
Ontario's top doctor says there is 'a lot' of COVID-19 circulating in the province right now, and levels of both that virus and influenza are on the rise.
-
Unity Acquisitions snaps up much of toy store Mastermind, 18 stores to close
Ailing toy retailer Mastermind GP Inc. says it has reached a deal to sell the bulk of its business to a company representing three big names in the Canadian retail world.
Calgary
-
Drugs, guns and body armour seized from southwest Calgary home after shooting
Calgary police say a shooting in the community of Woodlands last month led to the seizure of almost $300,000 in illegal drugs and a handful of guns.
-
Canada's proposal to cut methane emissions by 75% 'dangerous and unconstitutional': Alta. premier
Canada is aiming to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75 per cent over the next six years, but the Alberta government said the rules would be 'dangerous and unconstitutional.'
-
Alberta minister's son in critical condition after crash
The youngest children of an Alberta minister were injured in a crash last Friday.
Montreal
-
4 in custody after 'brutal' death of Quebec entrepreneur, partner in Dominica
Four people are in police custody after Quebec businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand were found dead in Dominica.
-
Schools closed, more than 100,000 lose electricity as snow falls in Quebec
Service is slowly being restored to homes in Quebec after nearly 25 cm of snow fell across the province.
-
Quebecers are not happy with Francois Legault: poll
Quebec's Francois Legault is the least popular premier in Canada, according to La Presse/Angus Reid poll.
Edmonton
-
Alberta minister's son in critical condition after crash
The youngest children of an Alberta minister were injured in a crash last Friday.
-
Man killed by Edmonton police; watchdog investigating
Edmonton police shot a man who was reportedly approaching people with a knife on a downtown street Sunday evening.
-
Driver of stolen car hit by Valley Line Southeast train sought by police
The person who ran away after crashing into a Valley Line Southeast LRT train Monday morning was driving a stolen vehicle, according to Edmonton Police Service.
Northern Ontario
-
New Liskeard man charged with attempted murder in shooting
A 29-year-old northern Ontario man is in custody and facing attempted murder and firearms-related charges following an incident in Temiskaming Shores late last week.
-
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose, with one police officer sustaining minor injuries during the effort to apprehend the marsupial.
-
Customers line up for final loaves from Golden Grain after 92 years operating in Sudbury
Long-time business in downtown Sudbury sells its final baked goods to loyal customers before closing its doors for good.
London
-
Bat and knife involved in assault at Christmas Village festivities: Police
When officers arrived, they learned several young people were chased by a person with a baseball bat and the same person also showed a knife while interacting with kids.
-
Allegedly impaired driver charged after crashing into hydro pole
A 67-year-old man from St. Thomas is facing multiple charges after he allegedly drove impaired over the weekend and crashed into an Elgin County hydro pole.
-
Cause of high-rise fire under investigation in London
The fire reportedly originated in an attached parking garage, where it then spread to the lower floors.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg seeing spike in shoplifting incidents: police
Winnipeg is seeing a 44 per cent spike in shoplifting incidents this year.
-
Chad Allan, founding member of Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, dies at 80
Celebrated musician Chad Allan, who carved a place in Canadian rock music history as co-founder of iconic bands the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, has died. He was 80.
-
‘It’s just devastating’: Family and friends remember slain victims in Langside shooting
Dozens of friends and family members gathered outside 143 Langside Street Sunday to remember the lives of their loved ones lost in last week’s deadly shooting.
Ottawa
-
Toronto bus company no show for Ottawa pro-Israel rally participants, UJA says
A Jewish organization says a bus service contracted to transport community members from Toronto to Ottawa for a pro-Israel rally did not show.
-
'Ultra low-cost' Lynx Air coming to Ottawa this spring
A new budget option for travellers is coming to Ottawa, with Lynx Air announcing new flights from Ottawa starting next spring.
-
Man taken to hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries after early morning assault in Mechanicsville
One man has been arrested and another is being treated with critical injuries following an early morning assault in Ottawa's Mechanicsville neighbourhood.
Saskatoon
-
In wake of credit union's planned closure, Prairie Harm Reduction defends its work
Saskatoon’s Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR) is defending its place in Pleasant Hill after facing what it calls “accusations regarding its alleged role in the closure” of a neighbourhood credit union.
-
Family seeks justice as Saskatchewan Mountie goes to trial for first-degree murder
Brett Herman thinks back fondly on his childhood, running outside his grandfather's house in northern Saskatchewan with his younger brother chasing behind.
-
Saskatoon sisters share the stage in Royal Winnipeg Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'
Blake and Cooper Robinson, sisters united by their passion for ballet, are set to grace the stage together in a rendition of the classic ballet play, The Nutcracker.
Vancouver
-
Southern B.C. braces for heavy rain as atmospheric river makes landfall
An atmospheric river has made landfall in southern British Columbia, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada to issue rainfall warnings for Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'secondary role' in New Westminster slaying
One of two brothers who "savagely attacked" a man in New Westminster in has been sentenced after pleading guilty to manslaughter, according to a recent court decision.
-
Vancouver real estate: Home sales rise as newly listed properties add to supply
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales ticked up last month as the continued increase of newly listed properties has given prospective homebuyers in the region among the largest selection to choose from since 2021.
Regina
-
Regina police investigating weekend death in Heritage neighbourhood
Police are investigating after a woman was found dead in Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood Sunday afternoon.
-
Sask. hunting investigation leads to 22 years of suspensions, nearly $16,000 in fines
An investigation that began with tips from the public has led to five people pleading guilty to charges such as wildlife trafficking, hunting without a license and hunting at night.
-
Sask. premier has 54% approval rating, survey shows
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has an approval rating of 54 per cent, according to a recent survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute.
Vancouver Island
-
Southern B.C. braces for heavy rain as atmospheric river makes landfall
An atmospheric river has made landfall in southern British Columbia, prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada to issue rainfall warnings for Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
-
Hundreds of B.C. businesses apply for vandalism fund
More than 600 businesses in B.C. have applied to a provincial rebate program to help prevent and repair damage from vandalism, according to the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Development.
-
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose, with one police officer sustaining minor injuries during the effort to apprehend the marsupial.
