GREENSTONE, Ont. — The Canadian army has cancelled this year's annual skills and leadership training program for Junior Canadian Rangers at Camp Loon, near Geraldton, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lieutenant-Colonel Shane McArthur, the officer commanding the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in Northern Ontario, said he was announcing the cancellation "with a lot of regrets."
The program didn't take place last year either.
The July camp at Springwater Lake would have hosted 150 to 200 Junior Rangers from remote northern First Nations, with up to 50 soldiers and volunteers providing instruction and support.
McArthur said that due to the lengthy preparation and planning, and the cost involved to set up and operate the camp, the army had to make an early decision on whether to proceed.
"The camp costs a lot of money, and we didn't want to squander it when we could deliver a different type of program with less risk of COVID."
He said an alternate plan that's in the works will still provide training and skill sets the youths will be able to utilize.
There are currently about 750 Junior Rangers enrolled in 24 First Nations.
Two new patrols were to have opened last year, at Long Lake Number 58 and at Aroland, but their startup has been delayed until later this year.
