1812 to 2012 – Two Centuries of Serving Canadians at Home and Abroad.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812. Between 1812 and 1815 Upper and Lower Canada (Ontario and Quebec) were successfully defended by Canadian, British and First Nation forces. These victories were critical in the birth of Canada as an independent nation.

In the decades that followed Canadian men and women in uniform, including those belonging to Durham Region’s own Ontario Regiment, have helped to preserve peace around the world, defend our borders time and time again and come to the aid of citizens who have been impacted by natural disasters.

The Tribute to Our Troops dinner is a way of saluting these Canadian heros past and present and raise funds for the Ontario Regiment Foundation.

Event Details

Where: Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility
When: April 26, 2012
Time: Reception at 6:30 p.m., Dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Please call or email today to purchase a ticket, discuss sponsorship opportunities, or make a donation to the auction. Download the Troops Tribute Dinner brochure here in printable pdf format.

Guest Speaker – Honourable Peter MacKay

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. After graduating with an arts degree from Acadia University in 1987, he studied law at Dalhousie University and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 1991. With strong family ties to the local area, he returned to New Glasgow to open a private law practice specializing in criminal and family law. In 1993, he accepted an appointment as Crown Attorney for the Central Region of Nova Scotia. He prosecuted cases at all levels, including youth and provincial courts as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.

Mr. MacKay was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1997. He was re-elected in his northern Nova Scotia constituency in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011. On May 18th, 2011, Mr. MacKay was reappointed as Minister of National Defence. Mr. MacKay also serves as Regional Minister for Nova Scotia.

In his first five years in the House of Commons, he served as House Leader for the Progressive Conservative caucus. On May 31, 2003, Mr. MacKay was elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. In March 2004, following the unification of the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance Party, he was named Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Prior to his current responsibilities, Mr. MacKay served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

He has served on several volunteer boards, including New Leaf and Tearmann House as well as being active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA.

A sports enthusiast, Mr. MacKay enjoys running, rugby, baseball, football and hockey. He is married to human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay.