1st Canadian Division

Notice

Please note that this page is currently being reviewed to reflect recent changes resulting from the Army's restructuring.

Who We Are

Headquartered at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, the 1st Canadian Division is the Canadian Army's primary force responsible for generating high-readiness, deployable combat power for large-scale combat operations and crisis response, both in Canada and abroad.

With formations across the country, the 1st Canadian Division’s strength is approximately 14,000 personnel, including:

13,000 Regular Force Members,
500 Reserve Force Members, and
250 Department of National Defence Civilian Personnel.

Our Mission

Central to the Canadian Army's modernization efforts, 1st Canadian Division consolidates deployable forces into a single high-readiness structure. The 1st Canadian Division brings together new and existing capabilities, including integrated armour, mechanized and light infantry, artillery, sustainment, combat support, and multi‑domain capabilities under one headquarters.

Formations and Units

The 1st Canadian Division consolidates the Army’s four Regular Force brigades, previously divided among four regional divisions, into a single functional structure, organized for purpose and tailored for effect.

The Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups (CMBGs) in Edmonton (1 CMBG), Petawawa (2 CMBG), and Valcartier (5 CMBG), bring depth and persistence at scale, giving the Division its reach and lethality.

6 Canadian Combat Support Brigade (6 CCSB) in Kingston generates highly specialized combat support enablers, including intelligence and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, psychological operations, uncrewed aerial systems, civil-military cooperation, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear, engineer, and air-defence capabilities.

The 1^st Canadian Division’s enabling formations deliver division-level depth and agility:

1st Canadian Artillery Brigade brings together the people, systems and capabilities to deliver effects and shape the battlefield across greater distances.
3rd Canadian Light Infantry Regiment provides a dedicated, high-readiness light force able to respond rapidly where it is needed.
1st Canadian Sustainment Brigade ensures that combat forces can continue to operate, move and fight over time.