Introduction

32 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) was created on April 1, 1997, with its Headquarters located in Toronto. Resulting from a major restructuring of the Army, it was established as one of ten Reserve brigade groups organized across Canada.

Although 32 CBG has a short history, this cannot be said of its units. Regiments like the Governor General’s Horse Guards, the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the Grey & Simcoe Foresters were all founded before Confederation. Most units have served in almost all of the military campaigns involving Canadians: Fenian Raids, Red River Expedition, Northwest Rebellion, South African War, both World Wars and Korea. Since the 1980s, they have been contributing to UN and NATO missions around the world.

Role

The role of 32 CBG is to produce well-trained Reserve soldiers to enhance Canada’s combat capability. Like all Reserve brigades and units, it trains part-time soldiers to serve as the basis of national mobilization, to respond to emergencies in Canada and to augment the Regular Force overseas, and to be the army’s link to the community.

32 CBG comprises part-time soldiers plus a small cadre from the Regular Force who help plan and execute the training. Soldiers of the Army Reserve ― traditionally, the Militia ― train an average of one night a week and one weekend a month. Many Reservists train full-time during the summer, because many of the younger soldiers are students.

Headquarters

Colonel Julian Chapman, CD is the Commander of 32 CBG while Chief Warrant Officer Stephen Hurst, CD, is the Brigade Sergeant Major. Their headquarters has a staff of about 40 personnel, both military (Regular and Reserve) and civilian.

Operations

Many soldiers of 32 Canadian Brigade Group have served on operations around the world. Nearly 70 members of the brigade deployed to Afghanistan in August, 2006 and more than 120 others have recently returned from service in Kandahar during the winter of 2008-2009. The brigade has also played a big role in disaster relief at home, helping Canadians during the Manitoba floods and the January 1998 ice storm . It remains prepared to back up the emergency services of the Greater Toronto Area and Central Ontario whenever needed.