Dec. 01, 2003
Canadian Military Engineers – Centennial Celebration

 
 
This year Canadian Military Engineers are celebrating their centennial year.

Canadian Military Engineers Corp came into formal existence in 1903.  

 
Reference Website http://www.cme-2003-gmc.org/hist_e.htm.  

 
According to the above website, the first Military Engineers in Canada were French who in the early 1600s built a number of resource exploitation and strategic defence fortifications in Quebec and Acadia. In 1685 the “ingenieurs du roi” became the first professional engineer force to be permanently established.

 
With the arrival of British governance in 1763, Royal Engineers assumed the tradition of constructing for defence and national development. The Canadian landmarks such as Fort Henry, Frontenac and William were built. Another example is the historically significant Rideau Canal strategic waterway, which was built circa 1832.

 
The mission of the Canadian Military Engineers is to contribute to the survival, mobility, and combat effectiveness of the Canadian Forces. They have played an important and critical role in keeping the Canadian forces mobile and ready to fight in time of war.

 
Currently, the Canadian Military Engineers are engaged in providing critical support to the Canadian peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan and other countries in the world.

 
We as Canadians should be proud of their contribution to the nation at home and for peacekeeping abroad.

 
As a Professional Engineer and a Canadian, I offer my congratulations to the Military Engineers for their Centennial celebration.

 
Pravin Shah     P. Eng.