16 March 2026
Over the past year, the Canadian Military Engineers Association has continued to evolve as an organization dedicated to supporting the Canadian Military Engineer community. Many members have expressed an interest in gaining greater visibility for the work of the Association and the initiatives being undertaken on behalf of the engineer family. In response, we will begin sharing regular updates on our activities and priorities. This message serves as the first of what will become a quarterly communication to our members.
The past year has been one of transition and renewal for the Association. Earlier in 2025, the Board appointed David Burke as Acting President to ensure leadership continuity during a period of change within the organization. His willingness to step forward provided stability while new volunteers joined the Executive and several important initiatives were launched. I would like to express my sincere thanks to David for his continued leadership and commitment to the CMEA and to the broader Engineer community.
A key priority during this period has been strengthening the governance and long-term direction of the Association. To that end, the CMEA initiated the development of a new five-year strategic plan that will guide our activities and priorities ahead. This work included an environmental scan and consultations with stakeholders across the Canadian Military Engineer community to ensure the Association remains aligned with the needs of serving members, veterans, and their families. The goal being to establish a clear roadmap that will help the CMEA grow its relevance and impact in the years ahead.
We have also taken several steps to enhance the leadership structure and continuity of the organization. The formal establishment of a Past President role, held now by David Burke, will help preserve institutional knowledge and ensure that the experience of former leaders remains available to the Executive as leadership transitions occur. In addition, the appointment of Mike Golden, as Senior Vice President; Major Alexander Landry as our National Secretary, Lee Goodman as our Executive Director, Ryan Southwood as our Vice President of Corporate Engagement, and Craig Braddon as our Vice President of Veterans strengthens the leadership team and brings extensive operational and professional experience to the Association. We have also welcomed Warrant Officer Noah Salpeter, as Vice President, Chapter Liaison, a role that will help strengthen communication between the national organization and our chapters across the country. And I would be remiss if I did not also note that we were able to recruit Kyle Scott to the Board as our Vice President of Honours and Awards. Kyle brings deep knowledge and a network built up from his incredible work supporting veterans across Canada to receive service medals and awards.
Another important area of focus has been recognizing members of the engineer family who have made exceptional contributions to the Branch and to their communities. To support this effort, the CMEA has established an Honours and Awards Selection Sub-Committee. This initiative will help identify deserving candidates for national and community recognition while reinforcing a culture of appreciation and recognition across the CME community.
Over the past year we have also continued to strengthen our partnerships with organizations that support the work of the Association and the broader engineer community. Among these, our long-standing relationship with TD Insurance remains particularly important. Through the group insurance program available to CMEA members, TD Insurance has been a significant financial supporter of the Association for many years.
Recognizing that our members' participation directly contributes to the success of this partnership is crucial. Every time a member chooses to participate in the program, it helps generate resources that allow the CMEA to support initiatives across the engineer community. These resources help sustain national programs, support activities undertaken by chapters, and enable initiatives that benefit serving members, veterans, and their families. As part of our developing communications plan, we will work to ensure that members have greater visibility into how partnerships such as this contribute to the work of the Association.
The CMEA has also been exploring ways to strengthen the events that bring the engineer community together. One initiative under consideration is the evolution of the annual CME Mess Dinner into a broader Canadian Military Engineers Gala. The goal is to create an event that celebrates the entire engineer family while also providing opportunities to engage more meaningfully with industry partners who share an interest in supporting the community and hiring veterans.
Looking further ahead, the Association has also begun considering how it can support preparations for the 125th anniversary of the Canadian Military Engineers in 2028. This milestone will provide an opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements, and enduring contributions of military engineers to Canada’s defence and nation-building. It is an opportunity not only to honour our history but also to inspire future generations of military engineers.
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a broader effort to ensure that the CMEA continues to evolve as a vibrant and relevant organization that supports the Canadian Military Engineer community both today and in the future. Programs such as these demonstrate that when our members engage with the Association and its partners, the entire engineering community benefits.
As we move forward, I look forward to sharing further updates on our progress and on the many ways members of the engineering family can become involved in the work of the Association.
Thank you for your continued support of the Canadian Military Engineers Association and for the service you provide to our community.
Chimo!
Dan A. Doran