Public Duties
The primary and most visible function of the Ceremonial Guard is, as mentioned, the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, the national capital of Canada. The Changing of the Guard is a parade representing the changing of the guards posted at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Canadian Monarch when in Ottawa, and her representative, the Governor General, in her absence. A full company of two platoons is employed in daily public duties, with both divisions of one platoon parading as the ‘new guard’ – those to take over duties at Rideau Hall – and the other platoon of the company split, one division parading as ‘old guard’, and the other performing sentry duties at Rideau Hall for the day.