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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News

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…

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!

Heritage Moments

Izzy Doll

Izzy Dolls for Humanity

The Izzy Doll is a contribution towards humanitarianism and caring for children caught up in areas of conflict around the world. It was started by a Canadian Military Engineer in the early 1990s. These dolls are now a legacy to the late Master Corporal Mark "Izzy" Isfeld, whose idea was to provide these simple dolls to children innocently caught up in war.

During his first mission to Croatia on a peacekeeping tour, when Mark had noticed a child's doll lying on a pile of rubble from a…

New Military Neighbours in New Brunswick

Events like the Korean War and the deepening Cold War in Europe in the early 1950s resulted in a major change in the government's plans for National Defence. The decision to increase the size of the Army beyond its divisional size meant that large training areas would be required. No existing base in Eastern Canada had sufficient room for such a force to exercise and manoeuvre. The existing training facilities dated from WW I and WW II thus a new facility was considered…

All Sappers Memorial is Dedicated 14 July 1946

As the Second World War was nearing its end in 1945, the Commander of Camp Chilliwack, Lt. Col. C.N. Mitchell, VC, MC, received a suggestion that a monument or plaque be crafted to honour all the Canadian Sappers who had given their lives to protect our freedom. Inspired to improve this idea, Mitchell set plans in motion for a much grander memorial - a Cenotaph and Park that would honour all Commonwealth Sappers. Mitchell directed Major Williams of A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre to…

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.