‘A sense of pride': RCMP's traditional Sunset Ceremony held at Depot Division

CTV News

2 days ago

The final Sunset Ceremony of the year was held at RCMP's Depot Division on July 22, 2025. (GarethDillistone/CTVNews)
The final Sunset Ceremony of the year was held at RCMP Depot Division Tuesday night and the event starting off with a bang.
Two RCMP cannons were loaded and fired along with a field gun from Fort Walsh in southwest Saskatchewan.
The Sunset Ceremony is an RCMP tradition that dates back more than 60 years. The marching band plays while cadets perform dismounted cavalry maneuvers.
And while the force is always modernizing and upgrading its technology, they feel it's important to hold onto their heritage.
The event attracts hundreds of tourists, local residents and usually some retired RCMP veterans that reminisce their younger days.
'I know that it is very important to them. Depot is kind of the heart of the organization,' Chief Supt. of RCMP Depot Division, Mike Lokken said.
'This is where everybody starts their training and then are scattered all across Canada. So, this is like home to them. When they come here for one of the ceremonies, to see the traditions, I think it refuels their Mountie soul, gives even citizens that have never been here a sense of pride,' he added.
The lowering of the Canadian flag is a part of every Sunset Ceremony. Cadets treat the flag with respect as they fold it and march it off the parade square.