After more than 24 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineers Branch, Maj François Brousseau, CD, will retire on 27 April 2022. At the member’s request, no formal Depart with Dignity ceremony will be organized. Anecdotes and retirement wishes may be sent to Capt J.M.M. Cantin at Michel.Cantin@forces.gc.ca by no later than 22 April 2022.
Major Brousseau was born in Quebec City, Quebec, in 1980, spending his youth and completing secondary school in the same city. In 1998, he joined the Canadian Forces Reserve as a combat engineer in 10 Engineer Squadron. In the years that followed, he rose through the ranks to that of Warrant Officer. During this time, he was an Intelligence Operator in 2002 at 4 Intelligence Company, obtaining this trade qualification. During his time in the ranks, he held the positions of Section Commander and Troop Warrant Officer while employed in recruitment and then in regimental operations. He was also employed on numerous occasions as an instructor for Basic Military and trades training.
In 2009, he commissioned to lieutenant in 35 Combat Engineer Regiment. Upon his commission, he served as Deputy Squadron Commander and then as Acting Squadron Commander. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2011 and served as Commanding Officer of 15 Combat Engineer Squadron for three years. Later, he commanded 10 Squadron. Promoted to the rank of Major in 2015, he served as Adjutant and Regimental Operations Officer. During this time, he was employed as an engineer advisor within 2 Canadian Division Headquarters in 2016. In 2017, he was employed as a staff officer for 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, where he held the interim position of G3. In 2018, he was employed as a staff officer for 35 Canadian Brigade Group before being assigned to the planning and coordination of OP CADENCE as part of Territorial Battalion GroupQuebec during the G7 Summit. Following OP CADENCE, he worked on the development of the GBT QC, a mandate belonging to 35 CER until the fall of 2021. He continued to hold the position of CmdtA of 35 Combat Engineer Regiment during this time.
Major Brousseau holds a Bachelor's degree in political science from Laval University. He has practiced several martial arts, mainly Sanshou, participating in three Canadian championships and, in 2011, a world championship in Ankara, Turkey, as part of the 11th World Wushu Federation.