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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July 30 in History

On this date in 1953, Engineers were involved in salvaging material from the demilitarized zone within 72 hours of the signing of the Korean War truce.

News

Why Ottawa Celebrates Colonel By Day

Article By: Ken Holmes As many provinces prepare for the upcoming “Civic Holiday,” Ottawa residents prepare to celebrate Colonel By Day rather than simply Civic Holiday. The name honours Lieutenant-Colonel John By, the British Royal Engineers officer whose vision and leadership gave birth to both the Rideau Canal and the city that would become Canada's capital. Between 1826 and 1832, Colonel By directed the construction of the 202-kilometre Rideau Canal, one of the greatest…

Op GRANITE II Reunion Celebrates Canadian Military Engineer Legacy in Chilliwack

Hundreds of current and former Canadian Military Engineers, family members, supporters, and members of the public gathered in Chilliwack from July 17–19 for Op GRANITE II, a weekend dedicated to honouring the history, service, and enduring legacy of the Canadian Military Engineers. The organizing committee extends its sincere appreciation to the many organizations whose generous support helped make the event possible. Contributions will fund the planning, delivery, and…

CMEA Bursary Program 2026 – Last Call for Applications

CMEA Members, Applications for the CMEA Bursary Program 2026 are open to CMEA members and their dependents. Applications must be received before 31 July 2026. See the CMEA website for additional information: CMEA Bursary Program | Canadian Military Engineers (cmea-agmc.ca) CHIMO!

Heritage Moments

Double Trouble on the Rouge River

On 15 October 1954, Hurricane HAZEL drenched the Toronto area with 21 cm of rain. There was widespread damage and many bridges were washed out - including two on the Rouge River in Scarborough. At that time, the access to the Municipality of Scarborough from the northeast was via Steeles and Finch Avenues over the Rouge. The steel superstructures of these bridges had been swept away by the torrent.

The Municipality requested the emergency replacement of…

Expo 67- ‘Mission Impossible’ Was Possible

Canada was an eleventh-hour stand-in for the 1967 World's Fair, and Montreal had to pull off a miracle to get it ready on time. The fair had initially been awarded to Moscow in 1960 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, but the Soviet Union backed out of its obligation. On 13 November 1962, Canada re-submitted its bid and won the opportunity to host in 1967. Organizers now had only four and a half years to prepare - rather than the intended seven years. Yet…

Military Engineers at the Throttle

Canada had provided overseas railway troops for the Great War and anticipated that a similar request would come from Great Britain for WW II. Such a request was delayed because of the fall of France but Canada continued the planning process. Eventually the request came and Canada mobilized No 1 Railway Operating Group, Royal Canadian Engineers on 19 March 1943. Comprising two railway operating companies and a railway workshop company, the unit was manned mainly from employees…

Retirements

MCpl Alastaire Jon "AJ" McDonald

After more than 10 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MCpl A.J. McDonald, (00339) will retire on 7 October 2026. A Departure with Dignity (DWD) will be held on 3 September 26 at 13:00 tentatively at the Unarmed Combat Room, Base Gym, CFB Edmonton. Members wishing to be added to the fight roaster are encouraged to contact the DWD OPI Capt K.S.C. Ho at: Kyle.Ho@forces.gc.ca . Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

CHIMO!

MCpl Alastaire Jon McDonald (A.K.A. AJ) was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Raised under the strong influence of his father and grandfather who both proud CAF members, he developed an early appreciation for service, discipline, and commitment. Motivated by a…

WO // Adj R.C. “Rollie” Winsor, CD

Après plus de 29 ans de service loyal et dévoué aux Forces armées canadiennes et à la Branche du Génie militaire canadien, l’adjudant R.C. Winsor, CD, (00307) prendra sa retraite le 2 octobre 2026. 

Départ dans la dignité (DDD) 

Une réception DwD aura lieu le 23 octobre à 14:00 au « The Bunker » (Pizza Delight), à Oromocto, NB. Si vous prévoyez y assister, veuillez confirmer votre présence à l'Adj W.G. Sutherland: William.Sutherland@forces.gc.ca. Des…

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…

Last Posts

MCpl Terrance "Terry" Scott Cash

We regret to advise of the death of Master Corporal Terrance "Terry" Scott Cash, CD of the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre in Ottawa, on 20 July 2026 at age 54. Terry served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over thirty years.

Born in Sydney NS, Terry started his military career in 1990 in the Reserve Force with The Cape Breton Highlanders. Service with 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (1991-99) and The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) (2006-13) followed.  Terry remustered to Geomatics Technician when he joined Mapping and Charting Establishment in 2013. In 2019, Terry's subsequent postings included the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command Headquarters and then the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre in 2023.

During his career, Terry deployed on Operation HARMONY, Croatia (1994-95), Operation PALLADIUM, Bosnia-Herzegovina (1998), Operation ATHENA, Afghanistan (2008-09), and Operation IMPACT, Kuwait (2017)

Terry was a handyman/inventor who was Interested in blacksmithing and forging. He started his own business, “Cluaran Forge” that specialized in creating handmade forged treasures and unique metalwork products.

Cremation has taken place. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

A Funeral Service will be held on 4 August 2026 at 2:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Johnstown, Cape Breton. Interment will take place in Johnstown Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to: Support Our Troops, Wounded Warriors of Canada, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

 

 

Cpl William George "Bill" Collett (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal William George "Bill" Collett (Ret’d),  peacefully at home on 22 July 2026, at the age of 82.

Bill served for five years as a Firefighter with the Royal Canadian Air Force before beginning a 25-year career with the Niagara Falls Fire Department. He rose through the ranks, starting out as a “probie” to become a Captain.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. In memory of Bill, donations to the Niagara Falls Professional Firefighters Association Local 528 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be appreciated by his family. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. 
 

Sgt Frederick Wallace Jenkins Jr., CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Frederick Wallace Jenkins Jr., CD (Ret’d), suddenly but peacefully on 19 July 2026, in Nova Scotia at Dartmouth General Hospital.

Fred proudly served his country in the Canadian Military Engineers for 35 years starting with his enlistment as a Sapper Apprentice with the 6th Intake in 1956. He was an Airborne Combat Engineer with a Heavy Equipment specialty who served most of his military career with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in Petawawa ON but also served in  Chilliwack, Gagetown and Germany. He was honoured as the 1982/1983 Special Service Force Soldier of the Year.  Among his proudest accomplishments was operating heavy equipment during the construction of the Eagle River Bridge in the Yukon in 1977.

For his last posting, Fred served as a Roads and Grounds Supervisor at Canadian Forces Base Summerside PE. Following his retirement from the Canadian Forces in 1991, Fred settled in Lawrencetown NS.

Fred was a founding member of the Old Sappers Coffee Group, where lifelong friendships continued to grow over Thursday morning coffee.

A funeral service will be held on  28 July 2028 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 9 Veteran’s Ave, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, with a reception following. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.