Funding constraints in the military and a large police operation in the community are the reasons given by local officials to explain the absence of military members and RCMP from Monday’s Remembrance Day ceremonies in Lac La Biche
Lac La Biche RCMP we're busy through Remembrance Day, said Lac La Biche RCMP media relations Const. Jordan Walker, working to recover what is expected to be $300,000 in property during the execution of a search warrant.
The operation was “extensive,“ said Walker, speaking to the Lac La Biche POST newsroom on Tuesday morning. He said the work took all available resources at the detachment, “including dayshift, nightshift, and members off duty (who) were called in to assist.”
Walker explained that the local police detachment had planned on having at least four RCMP members at the ceremony – as they normally do – but work on the search warrant changed those plans.
RCMP and 4Wing absent from ceremony
A large contingent of Canadian Air Force troops from the 1 Air Maintenance Squadron (AMS) unit at CFB Cold Lake – a staple at the Lac La Biche Remembrance Day ceremony for decades – was also absent from this year’s event. While many in the large crowd of spectators noticed the absence, no explanation was given during Monday’s outdoor event.
On Tuesday, Lac La Biche Royal Canadian Legion McGrane Branch 28 President Danny Stevens said that while the absence of the parade group was “disappointing,” he understands that situations can be dynamic when it comes to military and policing, and he fully supports these “pillars of our community.”
Funding reduces Remembrance Day troop numbers
Stevens said the AMS unit did have three senior officers at this year’s ceremony, and he had been informed some weeks ago that due to funding issues, the usual parade group of dozens more would not be attending.
Stevens said that the absence of RCMP and military personnel for this year’s Remembrance Day parade didn’t have an effect on the ceremony. While the parade was smaller than usual, he said, the focus was on remembrance and giving thanks.
The Lac La Biche Post newsroom has also reached out to 4 Wing Cold Lake for comment.
A media release on the RCMP search warrant operation is expected to be released in the near future.