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 26 in History

On this date in 1945, No 1 Canadian Army Rehabilitation Training Centre (Survey) was opened to qualify military surveyors for employment with a Dominion Land Surveyor in Canada.

News

CMEA Bursary Program 2026 – 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!

Op GRANITE II - Who Will be There?

       Add your name to this list!  Buy your tickets for the greatest CME Event in many years. If you have tickets and your name is not on the list, click here to have it added. Click here! Here is a list of people who have already bought their tickets and secured their places at the event. For more information about Op GRANITE II, look at the Information Hub. Grant Acheson & Judy QuinnEugene “COCO” & Louise AdamsGarret AgerJim…

Op GRANITE II - Last Chance for Tickets! // Dernière chance pour les billets !

Français en bas The Planning Committee wants to remind everyone that 30 June is the cut-off for Op GRANITE Tickets. After that there will be a one-week grace period before we place our orders with our caterer. Please look at the page: Op GRANITE II – Information Hub and Updates to see what you will be missing if you do not attend. Look at the page: Op GRANITE II - Who Will be There? to see who you will be missing if you do not attend. Look at the page: Op GRANITE II Online…

Heritage Moments

The BC Star Tragedy

On 23 July 1943, the RCAF marine vessel M427 “BC Star” embarked on a fateful journey that would become one of the most tragic incidents in Canadian military construction history. Departing from Bella Bella, BC, the 70-ton requisitioned seine fishing boat was bound for  Cape St. James in the Queen Charlotte Islands, carrying a crew of ten RCAF members, six personnel from No. 9 Construction and Maintenance Unit (9 CMU), and 43 tons of construction materials.

Taken up from trade as…

Churchill AVRE with fascine mounted

An Engineer Solves a Dieppe Problem

An analysis of the Dieppe Raid in August 1941 identified the need for the protection of engineer demolition parties breaching obstacles. It was decided that the Engineers should have tanks and the problem was given to the Tank Design Division to resolve. Within eight days, Lieutenant John Denovan, RCE, a Canadian liaison officer with the Division, produced rough drawings and specifications for a vehicle to protect engineers based on a Churchill Tank. His concept was supported, but due to a…

CFSME 1988 Demolition Accident

On 20 June 1988, the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering at Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack, British Columbia, suffered the deadliest training accident in its history when a demolition charge detonated prematurely during a training session. The session involved 29 students and seven instructors. Six military engineering students were killed, and several others were injured. Killed were: Capt J.W. Best, Lt M.D. Aucoin, 2Lt K.J. Wilkinson, OCdt K.R. Gawne, OCdt W.C. Sutton, and OCdt…

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…

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…

MCpl Claude-François Brassard

After more than 11 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Master Corporal Claude-François Brassard, (00305) will retire on 30 June 2026. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Sgt J. Huard: joey.huard@forces.gc.ca

After more than 11 years of dedicated service in the Canadian Armed Forces, Master Corporal Claude-François Brassard exemplifies a professional career defined by consistency, versatility, and a strong sense of duty to Canada.

Master Corporal Brassard enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces on 14 January 2015 at the Chicoutimi Detachment of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC Quebec).…

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.