He’s 51, a councillor and a skateboarding graffiti artist: Meet one of Canada’s newest army recruits

Breadcrumb Trail Links News Canada ‘I can give a decade of service to the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist. Why wouldn’t I do it?’ Published Nov 21, 2024  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  4 minute read City Councillor Sterling Downey amid the graffiti/mural art behind Les Foufounes Electriques in Montreal on Aug. 20, 2023. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette Article content Sterling Downey, 51, a long-serving city councillor and former deputy mayor of Montreal who is soon to commence basic infantry training after recently enlisting with the Canadian Forces, came to this unusual plan while driving through Philadelphia on the way to Virginia Beach on Memorial Day weekend. Ultimately, in his heart, joining the Reserve Force as a private while keeping his day job in elected city politics is an effort to honour and reconnect with his late father Ken, a Second World War veteran. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events....