Increased military traffic expected during emergency exercise with local government and first responders from January 30 to February 1, 2026

January 19, 2026 – Ottawa, Ont. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will conduct an emergency response exercise with local government and partner agencies in Cornwall from January 30 to February 1, 2026.

Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE is being held across Ontario. It’s led by Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), headquartered in Toronto and includes approximately 1,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The exercise will also include the participation of Other Government Departments and First Responders including police and fire services, Emergency Management Ontario, local governments, and others.

Approximately 150 soldiers from the Canadian Army’s 33 Canadian Brigade Group (33 CBG) will form a Command & Control element of 33 Territorial Battalion Group (33 TBG), including soldiers from the local area and region deploying to the Cornwall Armoury and local government facilities in a realistic, emergency response scenario.

CAF members and assets will train with partner agencies utilizing an emergency response scenario which will include a simulated major weather-related incident, and prepare a unified response with local, regional, and other partners in the community. Joint operability with these partners will be coordinated with the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) and local officials.

Led by the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and including partners from the Canadian National Railway, OPP, City of Cornwall, Emergency Management Ontario, and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville, the exercise will also incorporate input from Transport Canada while exercise participants respond to a simulated severe ice storm affecting critical transportation and other infrastructure.

Members of the public may see increased military traffic with CAF vehicles operating on area roads in the Ottawa/Cornwall area.

No weapons or ammunition will be present during this exercise. The Cornwall Armoury at 505 Fourth Street East will be used to host soldiers, CAF vehicles, and equipment. Increased military vehicle traffic between Cornwall and Ottawa, especially on Highway 138 and in the vicinity of the Cornwall Armoury and on surrounding roads can be expected.

This important training supports year-round preparations for emergencies in Canadian communities, including natural disasters like major storms, flooding and wildfires, as our members maintain readiness to deploy in response to Requests for Assistance and to serve alongside community members and other first responders.

All CAF vehicle operators train regularly and maintain specialized qualifications and proficiency in safe and effective vehicle and equipment operations, and regularly test discipline, safety, and effectiveness while operating various vehicle platforms.

All measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience in these areas during the exercise dates, and members of the public are asked to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles and are thanked in advance for their understanding and co-operation.

The CAF is extremely grateful to the City of Cornwall, SDG Counties, other local partners, and the citizens of these communities for their hospitality and patience while we conduct this important emergency response exercise.