Major-General L.W. Rutland, OMM, MSC, MSM, CD

Commander, 1st Canadian Division

Major-General Rutland is currently the inaugural Commander of the revitalized 1st Canadian Division, stood up on 10 September 2026 as the Canadian Army’s high-readiness manoeuvre formation. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1995 as a Primary Reservist before transferring to the Regular Force and commissioning as an infantry officer. He has since commanded at every level from platoon to division, including 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI), 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG), and 3rd Canadian Division, as the final commander.

MGen Rutland has extensive operational experience in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Latvia and the Middle East, as well as multiple domestic operations. In 2015, he served as Chief of Staff of Joint Task Force – IMPACT in the Middle East before assuming command of 1 PPCLI. In 2017, he commanded the first Canadian-led NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia, for which he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Viesturs in recognition of his contribution to Latvia’s security and defence. In 2022, he returned to the Middle East to command Joint Task Force – IMPACT.

His senior staff experience includes G3, 1 CMBG; Executive Assistant to the Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command; Chief of Staff, 3rd Canadian Division; and Chief of Staff Army Operations at Canadian Army Headquarters. He also served as the PPCLI exchange officer with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, and has served within Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, at the Infantry School, and within the Chief of Programme organization.

MGen Rutland holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree and master’s degrees in Defence Studies and Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff Program and the United States Army War College, and holds the United States Army Ranger qualification.