Canadian Military Engineers Association

The CMEA is a dynamic association open to all members of the Canadian Military Engineer family. Since its formation in 2000, it has grown to over 2500 members with more than 21 Chapters and six affiliated Reserve units spread across the country.
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June 9 in History

On this date in 1862, the Province of Canada Militia Act was amended to include Engineer companies as corps liable to serve in peacetime.

News

RPOU(W) Strengthening Combat Sports Through Partnership and Purpose

Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 The Real Property Operations Unit (West) (RPOU(W)) continues to play a supporting role in the planning, coordination, and execution of combat sports initiatives across 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) in Edmonton. Through close collaboration with Personnel Support Programs (PSP), leadership guidance from 3rd Canadian Division (3 Can Div), and logistical support from the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre (…

Sapper Story – Lt Jaeyoung Seo – The Man in the Arena

Article By: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Operations Officer 2 During Asian Heritage Month (AHM), we recognize the proud contributions of Canadians of Asian origin whose service strengthens the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Among them is Lieutenant (Lt) Jaeyoung (Dave) Seo, a young officer whose determination, discipline, and pursuit of excellence reflect both his heritage and the core values of the Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). Born in 2002, Lt Seo enrolled in the CAF through the…

CME Retirements for May 2026

The CME would like to announce the release or retirement of the following members (no biographies submitted): After more than 25 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, WO C.J. Vance, CD, (00307) will retire on 1 December 2026. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to WO D.W. Drydak: derek.drydak@forces.gc.ca After more than 22 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the…

Heritage Moments

Mount Sorrel Battle - 10 Metres Underground

During the First World War, there was an “underground war” fought below the trenches all along the Western Front. This was very much an Engineer War fought in the tunnels of both sides. On the Canadian front, the tunnelling tasks fell primarily to the Tunnelling Companies, Canadian Engineers.

Tunnels were built for two main reasons. First, underground shelters and passageways gave protection from the violent confrontations on the battlefield. Galleries constructed off the trench…

All Sappers Memorial Park is Restored in 2009

The All Sappers Memorial Park in Vedder Crossing, British Columbia was conceived by Lt-Col Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC in 1945 when he was Commander of Camp Chilliwack. After a year of design and intense labour by Sappers, it was dedicated on 14 July 1946 to Sappers 'Everywhere' by His Excellency Viscount Alexander of Tunis, Governor General of Canada.

This memorial near the main entrance to Camp Chilliwack became the focal point of remembrance for the Canadian Military Engineer…

TAZ – An Enduring Airborne Legacy

Throughout Canadian military history, mascots have played a vital role in embodying traditions and fostering camaraderie. One notable mascot was Johnny Canuck, a German Shepherd who, lore has it, parachuted with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion on D-Day during the Second World War, and tragically perished alongside his handler. 

TAZ, a…

Retirements

MWO/Adjum M.D.A. Carter, CD

After more than 20 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO M.D.A. Carter, CD, (00307) will retire on 24 August 2026. 

Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to WO J.J.D. St-Louis at: johnatan.st-louis@forces.gc.ca

Master Warrant Officer Matthew D. A. Carter, CD has served in the Canadian Armed Forces since 19 January 2006 as a member of the Regular Force. He is a Canadian Military Engineer specializing as a Construction Engineering Superintendent (CE SUPT).

Originally from Kentville, Nova Scotia, MWO Carter began his military career in the Primary Reserve with The West Nova Scotia Regiment before transferring to the Regular Force and

joining…

Cpl B. Ouellette

After more than 9 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl B. Ouellette, will be released on 3 June 2026. 

Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Sgt J. Huard: joey.huard@forces.gc.ca

Corporal Bruno Ouellette enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on 18 July 2008 at the Rimouski Detachment of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC Quebec). Corporal Ouellette was posted to the Naval Fleet School (Pacific) in Victoria, British Columbia, where he completed his basic occupational training in naval electrical systems. 

In 2009, he was transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and posted to Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec, where he served as a Marine…

Cpl R.P. Bostad

After more than 6 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Cpl R.P. Bostad, (00301) will be released on 3 June 2026.

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 
A DwD reception will be held on 29 May at 1200 at Ken's Diner (Edmonton). If attending, please RSVP to MCpl G. Alger: Gustine.Alger@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

After more than six years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers, Corporal Robert “Rob” P. Bostad, will retire on 03 June 2026.

 Cpl Bostad was raised on a small hobby farm in central Ontario, where he developed foundational values of hard work, self-reliance, loyalty, and…

Last Posts

LAC Gerald Moulton (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Leading Aircraftman Gerald Moulton (Ret’d) on 22 May  2026, peacefully at his home in Epworth NL, in his 80th year. 

Gerald was born in Burin NL and spent some early years in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Firefighter. Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces, he worked as an auto mechanic in various garages on the Newfoundland peninsula, at  Fishery Products International,  the Marystown Shipyard, and in the Newfoundland offshore. 

In keeping with his wishes, Gerald has been cremated. A family gathering was held on 24 May 24 at Serenity Funeral Home in Salt Pond, Burin.

Gerald’s ashes will be scattered in Epworth at a later date, where family and friends can come together to celebrate his life. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

MCpl Richard “Rick” Cayley ( Ret’d)


We regret to advise of the death of  Master Corporal Richard “Rick” Cayley ( Ret’d) on 8 May 2026 at the age of 65.

Rick was Vice President of the Edmonton Airborne Social Club. His service with the Canadian Military Engineers covered the period 1980 - 1995 with 22 Field Squadron/4 Engineer Support Regiment and with the Airborne Grouping in 2 Combat Engineer Regiment.  He also deployed to Canadian Forces Station Alert in 1983.

A private family service will be held at a later date.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

Christopher “Chris” Adam Shaver

We regret to advise of the death of Christopher “Chris” Adam Shaver, peacefully on 3 June 2026, at the age of 40.

Chris was born in Richmond BC and built a successful career as a journeyman fabricator-welder. He contributed to many important projects across Canada and the North, including the Vancouver Light Rail Transit Canada Line, Stanton Territorial Hospital, the Ekati Mine, and Aurora Ford Hay River. For the past decade, Chris has built an adventurous life in Hay River, Northwest Territories.
Service to others was woven into Chris's life. He proudly served as a Combat Engineer with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, was a member of the Canadian Rangers Hay River Patrol, and volunteered as a firefighter with the Hay River NWT Fire Department in his community. 

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.