Beginning this Saturday, approximately 800 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will descend on Northumberland County for Exercise TRILLIUM VENTURE, a large-scale emergency response training operation running from April 25 to April 27.
Troops from across Ontario – including those from the 31 Canadian Brigade Group headquartered in London, ON – have already begun arriving in the region, with noticeable convoy movements along Highway 401 and in nearby counties such as Durham, Hastings, and Prince Edward.
The training exercise is a key component of the CAF’s annual provincial readiness initiative. The operation is designed to strengthen military coordination with municipal authorities, emergency services, and regional partners, ensuring rapid and effective response in real-world disaster scenarios.
“This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen our collective readiness for emergency situations,” said Colleen McCabe, Northumberland County’s Health, Safety and Emergency Risk Manager.
Visible Military Presence—But No Weapons
Residents can expect to see uniformed personnel, military vehicles, and aircraft throughout the weekend, particularly in communities like Roseneath, Alderville First Nation, Hastings, Percy Boom, Bewdley, Plainville, and Burnley. Portions of the West Ganaraska Forest will also serve as training grounds, with closures clearly marked on the official Ganaraska Forest Trails Map.
Officials emphasize that this is a non-combat training event. Troops will not carry weapons or live ammunition, and all security and medical support will be managed internally by the CAF. The military has coordinated closely with local municipalities for nearly a year to minimize disruptions.
Community Engagement Without Disruption
While the general public is encouraged to maintain distance from active training areas, all key infrastructure and public spaces around the region will remain open. Military personnel are expected to complete the exercise and clear training areas by April 30, following environmental and logistical cleanup.
The exercise underscores Canada’s ongoing investment in domestic emergency preparedness, especially in an era of increasingly complex climate and disaster challenges.
Canada Defence Journal 