Mayor of Ottawa’s Breakfast attended by The Brocks
On Thursday, April 14, our Honorary Colonel hosted a Brocks table at the Mayor of Ottawa’s breakfast meeting – which featured the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. Joining Colonel Bird were our Member of Parliament, Michael Barrett, Col (Ret’d) Craig McQuitty, Capt Andrew Melchers, LCol (Ret’d) Rick Garber and HCol Dan MacKay of the Cameron Highlanders, a friend of the Regiment. Mr. Barrett, himself a CAF veteran, congratulated The Brocks on such a fine showing at this year’s Sgt Rick Foldeak Memorial Hockey Tournament.
In his introduction to the CDS, the Mayor of Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson singled out The Brockville Rifles for our presence and service to Canada. Gen Eyre then delivered an insightful overview of increasingly complex operating environment facing the CAF, sharing his unique perspective of the myriad of challenges facing the CAF and it’s members. When asked about his priorities he emphasized that looking after our troops is his number one concern – raising such challenges as recruiting, retention and dealing with growing inflation.
Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army, Paul Hindo – another friend of the Brockville Rifles – sought out the Brocks contingent and thanked Col Bird and the Brocks for demonstrating our continuing to connect with civil society – a key role of the Reserves. By leveraging his role as a long-standing Ottawa insider, Col Bird continues to raise the profile of our Regiment with influencers and decision-makers.