400 Canadian Armed Forces members will be in the Ottawa area this weekend

A huge training exercise is being conducted by hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces personnel this weekend near Ottawa.

The emergency response exercise partners with local agencies in Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. It will be held April 25 to 27 and is called Trillium Venture, with members across Ontario involved.

According to a press release from the CAF, about 1,500 members are participating across the province, and around 400 of them will be in the east region. Personnel from the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy are taking part.

“CAF members and assets will respond to a simulated major air disaster and prepare a unified response with local, regional, and other partners in the community including the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and others,” the statement reads.

It is possible members of the public will see increased military vehicles on roads, in the water and in the air over the weekend. Specifically, a larger presence will be seen around Long Sault Parkway and airspace across the National Capital Region.

Highway 138 and 2 are expected to have increased traffic leading up to the event and during the weekend.

No weapons or ammunition will be used in the exercise.

Local emergency responders and governments are included in the venture. A campground located along the St. Lawrence River will be used to host people and equipment.

“This important training supports year-round preparations for emergencies in Canadian communities, including natural disasters like 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,” CAF said.