Our current patrons are Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ret'd), Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia & Brigadier-General Chris Thurrott, Commander, Land Force Atlantic Area.

Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ret'd)

John James Grant was born on 17 January 1936 at New Glasgow, NS to the late George Grant (a former Mayor of New Glasgow) and Dorothy Grant.  His Honour is married to Joan Grant (nee Fraser).  Their Honours were married in 1954 and they have four children: Major Robin Grant, CD (Ret'd); Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Grant, CD; Mrs. Kirsten Patterson and the late Mr. G. Kerry Grant (deceased).  Their Honours also have five grandchildren.

His Honour retired from the Canadian Forces with the rank of Brigadier-General.  At the time of his appointment to the vice-regal office, His Honour was semi-retired, having been working as an Accountant for the firm, Hector Building Supplies/Century Construction Ltd.  Throughout this period he has also continued to be active in his community through volunteer work with various non-profit organizations and with retired service personnel.

On February 16th, 2012, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada announced the appointment of General Grant as the 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia; succeeding the Honourable Mayann E. Francis, ONS.  His Honour was installed as Her Majesty's representative in Nova Scotia on 12 April 2012 in the Red Chamber at Province House, Halifax. (For complete biography please click here)

Brigadier-General C.C. Thurrott, OMM, MSM, CD

Brigadier-General Thurrott joined the Regular Force in 1985 with a posting to Halifax as the Comptroller to the Major Crown Project, Ship Repair Unit (Atlantic).  Later, in Maritime Command Headquarters he served as the Transportation Officer for the national tour of the Canadian Forces Tattoo.  A posting followed to Calgary and 1 Service Battalion, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (fondly known as “The Army of the West”).  He later returned as a Brigade Headquarters staff officer.

In 1989, Brigadier-General Thurrott was posted to Canadian Forces Europe at Lahr, Germany, assigned staff billets in the Headquarters 1 Canadian Division (Forward) and in Headquarters Canadian Forces Europe.  As well, he served as Operations Officer of 4 Service Battalion of 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.  Thereafter, Brigadier‑General Thurrott served a year in Cambodia with the United Nations Transition Authority, which included an appointment as the Operations Officer of the multi-national Logistics Battalion.  He was later assigned to United Nations planning responsibilities and support to international operations with J4 Logistics, in the office of the Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel).  Brigadier-General Thurrott served in Petawawa from 1996 to 1999 in several appointments including Base Technical Services Officer and command billets within 2 Service Battalion.  He also served as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the National Support Element of the Canadian Contingent NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia, later returning to Petawawa as 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group G4, and the appointment of Commanding Officer 2 Service Battalion.  Appointed the Commanding Officer of the National Support Element Task Force Kabul (Afghanistan) Operation ATHENA on its critical deployment into Kabul in 2003, he marks that experience as the epitome of field command.  His international experience has also included NATO operations in Norway and UN operations in Cyprus.  Brigadier-General Thurrott was appointed Commander Canadian Forces Joint Support Group in May 2005.  He served as Director Land Service Support and Army G4 for two years commencing July 2008.  In 2010, he assumed the appointment as the Deputy Commander Canadian Operational Support Command.

Brigadier-General Thurrott is a graduate of Dalhousie University, the Canadian Land Forces Staff College, and the Canadian Forces College.  Brigadier-General Thurrott was designated a Distinguished Graduate from the International College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University in Washington, DC in June 2008.  He is married to Brigadier-General Hilary Jaeger, former Surgeon General, currently seconded to Veterans Affairs Canada.  (For complete biography please click here.)