THUNDER BAY – The New Year’s Day levee is a Canadian military tradition that dates back nearly 400 years, to 1646.
Then, as now, it was a chance for senior members of the military to ring in the new year, a meet-and-greet session with local political leaders and members of the public at large.
On Monday, the O’Kelly Armoury hosted the 2024 event in Thunder Bay, its turn to welcome politicians and others from the community in a joint event held with HMCS Griffon.
Lt.-Col. David Ratz, a member of the garrison, said the levee is deep in tradition and something he looks forward to each and every year.
“We toast the health of the sovereign, in this case, the king. Then we toast the success of the units of garrison for the future activities for the year. And it gives us an opportunity for people to get together and bond and start the year off with a positive note, talking and thinking about things that are coming up in the new year,” Ratz said.
It never hurts to bend a political ear, he added, reminding federal, provincial and municipal leaders that the military has a strong presence in Thunder Bay and plenty of soldiers who need to be supported.
“While the event is apolitical, we’re don’t get involved with politics, it is a chance for elected officials to come and see the soldiers and sailors who serve in the Canadian armed forces, and when they talk about defence issues, they can put a face to that service,” Ratz said.
Among the leaders in attendance at the levee was Thunder Bay-Superior North MP and cabinet minister Patty Hajdu, a tradition she started almost immediately after entering federal politics.
“It’s a real privilege being invited to the levee,” she said. “The first time was right after I was first elected in 2015 and I was impressed by the ongoing tradition of the military gathering together to celebrate accomplishments, to think back and sometimes to reflect on lives lost of those who have served for a very long time.
“Obviously the military plays a hugely important role in our country, both domestically and internationally, as peace keepers and partners to allied missions, but also domestically in responding to things like climate disasters and other kinds of regional disasters. So I always feel a great deal of gratitude to the military.”
