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Operation Canopy was the Canadian Forces participation in Canadian government efforts to help the residents of Kashechewan, Ontario during an evacuation of the community in late 2005. Military personnel flew to Kashechewan to supplement local water treatment facilities.
Media reports indicated 138 military personnel participated in OP Canopy, including:
The detachment arrived in Kashechewan on 30 October 2005 and, according to media reports, was producing treated water from raw water obtained from the Albany River within 12 hours of arrival. OP Canopy continued until 16 December 2005. The mission produced enough potable water to meet the community’s daily needs during the operation, as well as creating a reserve of treated water - a total of 140,000 litres.
Media coverage of documents released to Canadian media under Canada's Access to Information Act suggested the exercise was perceived as a public relations exercise. One report in the documents said, "No estimate, detailed planning or needs assessment were completed before the commitment of the personnel and equipment.... Although an excellent PR exercise, the true need of the detachment was never established." Other problems highlighted in media: