Military convoy to cause 'traffic and delays' on Toronto highways this weekend

A military convoy of 1,100 army reservists is expected to cause "heavier traffic and delays" on several Toronto and GTA highways on Friday night and into Saturday.

The Department of National Defence (DND) is advising the public of a major movement of army reserves from GTA armouries to Petawawa, noting that the movement could cause disruption along highways in and around Toronto.

Units of 32 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) will depart from armouries in and around Toronto starting the night of August 21 and into the day of August 22 to take part in end-of-summer training Exercise STEADFAST WARRIOR.

The DND says that the reservists "will convoy in military and chartered civilian vehicles along Gardiner Expressway, Don Valley Parkway, Highways 28, 41, 400, 401, 404, 410, 427, 512 and 515," and are expected to make refuelling stops along the way.

Residents may be alarmed to see soldiers in the convoy carrying weapons, though the DND reassures the public that they will not be armed with ammunition.

However, members of the public are asked to "exercise caution when approaching military vehicles."

According to the DND, Exercise STEADFAST WARRIOR "allows troops the opportunity to work alongside soldiers of various trades in a rapidly developing simulated warfare scenario," along with the chance to "deploy and test the brigade's readiness and preparedness while dually providing the prospects for troops to develop their own skills, as well as leadership and team cohesion abilities."