Military Exercise in Stanley Park This Weekend
Do not be alarmed if you see soldiers carrying rifles in Stanley Park this weekend. The HMCS Discovery will be conducting NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Defender, focused on security operations training, during the weekend of March 15-16, 2025 on Deadman Island [Source].

Military Exercise in Stanley Park This Weekend
The public may notice CAF members with unloaded service rifles at the entrance gates of HMCS Discovery on Deadman Island. Sounds from the firing of blank ammunition may also be heard throughout the duration of the exercise; however, no live ammunition will be used at any time.
The exercise, taking place within the confines of HMCS Discovery on Deadman Island with boat operations in the vicinity of Stanley Park, is aimed at developing and maintaining the unit’s security operations capabilities. Additionally, diving operations, including wreckage diving, will take place within the area of Indian Arm.
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As the sole Naval Reserve Division in the BC Lower Mainland, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Discovery provides force generation of trained sailors and officers who can be employed at sea and ashore in a wide range of missions including domestic and international operations.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) wrapped participated in Exercise Steadfast Defender in 2024 as well, it was NATO’s largest exercise in decades.
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