Soldiers from the 4CDTC parading as part of their rank qualification course graduation June 5 2025. Photo by Claire McCormack
The military is set to parade through Meaford Friday.
Soldiers from the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre will be marching in a Freedom of the City Parade downtown at 10 in the morning.
Commanding Officer of the base, Lt.-Col. Joe Tobin says the origins of a parade like this harken back to the times when there were walled cities and soldiers weren’t allowed to enter them armed.
“Historically armed – formed group of soldiers were not welcome in towns. So they would have to camp on the outside of towns and leave their weapons behind them if they wanted to enter the city. There was a trust issue that existed back then,” says Tobin.
He explains, “It was custom if a military force had been working with and around a city for a prolonged period–an expression of trust was to offer them the freedom of said city. Basically what it does, is it confers the right in perpetuity for a military unit to march through the streets of that town with bayonets fixed on their weapon, which can be a fairly imposing and intimidating posture, their drums beating and their flags flying. Otherwise if they were going to enter the town all of those things would have to be off.”
Back in 1995, the base received the Freedom of the City from the town, in a show of trust and the good relationship between the base and the community.
Tobin says there will be a few speeches at Meaford Hall, some gifts exchanged and after that a reception at the Meaford and St. Vincent Community Centre and Arena.
“The community is welcome to join us for that. They’ll have the opportunity to talk to some soldiers,” says Tobin.
There is also an open house at the base on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can find out more in the story link below:
You can hear Lt.-Col. Tobin talking about the parade here:
The full Open Line on CFOS with Lt.-Col. Tobin is here: https://www.560cfos.ca/2025/07/17/the-open-line-with-claire-mccormack-180/