The Department of National Defence says that unexploded bombs buried deep under the Mer Bleue bog pose no threat to the public. The WWII-era bombs are left over from when the bog was used as a drop zone for training of bombardiers in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
It is not known how many of the hundreds of bombs that were dropped on the bog during those years never exploded, but it could be dozens,
News that the bog is home to an unknown number of unexploded bombs was first obtained by the Ottawa Citizen through an Access to Information request.
The DND is downplaying the news, how-ever, explaining that the area in which the bombs are located is far from any hiking and X-country ski trails.
The nature of the area, being a bog, also makes it highly unlikely the bombs might suddenly explode. They are also buried deep underneath the surface.
The Mer Bleue bog was owned by the DND and used as a testing area until 1965 when it was turned over to the National Capital Commission (NCC) and became part of the Greenbelt.
Over the years, the NCC turned the Mer Bleue bog it into a conservation and recreation area, creating interpretive boardwalks, and hiking and X-country ski trails, mostly on the western extreme of the bog which is spread out over 3,500 hectares.
Thousands of people visit the bog every year.
The bog is also an important area for climate research and is designated as a provincially significant life and earth science area of natural and scientific interest.
It is the largest bog and natural area in Canada’s Capital Region and the second-largest bog in southern Ontario. As such, it is one of the most studied bogs in the world.
A permanent research station is located near the centre of the bog with instruments that keep track of the amount of carbon dioxide and methane that is being released by the wetland.
For more information about the bog, please visit ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/mer-bleue..
JEFF LEIPER LISTENING TOUR stop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Come out and share ideas, raise concerns, and talk about the issues with mayoralty canddiate Jeff Leiper.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
OPEN MIC NIGHT upstairs at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. starting at 7 p.m. Singing, comeday, poetry and more. All level of talent welcomne. Sign up at the door. Bring some friends and have some fun.
MOTHER'S DAY TEA PARTY hosted by the Rotary Club of Orléans from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the basement of Paroisse St-Joseph, 2757 St-Joseph Blvd. Tickets $50, $20 for children 5-12. Best fascinator contest. For more information, please contact Director of Fundraising Mashooda Syed at 613-255-0870. Money raised will go to the Columbia Learning Centre the Corner of Knowledge.
