Canadian Rangers 75th Anniversary
- A group of Canadian Rangers during a formal ceremony as part of the kick-off weekend of the CR-75, held in May 2022, in Victoria, B-C.
- A group of Canadian Rangers from Northen Ontario sailing in a canoe as part of Ex. Ranger Tracker; a 750-km canoe trip from Parry Sound to Ottawa.
- Canadian Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, greeting Canadians Rangers during the CR-75 opening ceremonies.
- Members of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group observe a moment of silence as part of the National Day of Honour on May 9, 2014 in Victoria, B.C.
- A Canadian Ranger riding an ATV through a designated route during a Canadian Rangers’ exercice.
- 2 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, one of the 14 teams of the Joint Task Force Nijmegen Canadian Contingent, waves at fellow Canadian marchers as they approach the finish line on the first day of their 4-day journey around Nijmegen, Netherlands, on July 17, 2018.
- A member of the Canadian Rangers, petting a horse during one of the CR-75 kick-off trainings in Victoria, B.C.
- A member of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, presenting a unique weapon during the Partner in Defence event, held in Washington, D.C.
- Ranger Melina Tessier-Fontaine from Dawson City, Yukon, after a two week Arctic patrol during the closing ceremony of Operation NUNALIVUT on April 24, 2013.
- Her Excellency the Right Honorable Mary Simon presenting an honorary emblem to high-ranked Canadian Rangers as part of the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Rangers.
A group of Canadian Rangers during a formal ceremony as part of the kick-off weekend of the CR-75, held in May 2022, in Victoria, B-C.
A group of Canadian Rangers from Northen Ontario sailing in a canoe as part of Ex. Ranger Tracker; a 750-km canoe trip from Parry Sound to Ottawa.
Canadian Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, greeting Canadians Rangers during the CR-75 opening ceremonies.
Photo: CR Maryanne Wettlaufer
Members of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group observe a moment of silence as part of the National Day of Honour on May 9, 2014 in Victoria, B.C.
A Canadian Ranger riding an ATV through a designated route during a Canadian Rangers’ exercice.
Photo: MCpl Gabrielle DesRochers
2 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, one of the 14 teams of the Joint Task Force Nijmegen Canadian Contingent, waves at fellow Canadian marchers as they approach the finish line on the first day of their 4-day journey around Nijmegen, Netherlands, on July 17, 2018.
A member of the Canadian Rangers, petting a horse during one of the CR-75 kick-off trainings in Victoria, B.C.
A member of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, presenting a unique weapon during the Partner in Defence event, held in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Cpl Pierre Létourneau
Ranger Melina Tessier-Fontaine from Dawson City, Yukon, after a two week Arctic patrol during the closing ceremony of Operation NUNALIVUT on April 24, 2013.
Her Excellency the Right Honorable Mary Simon presenting an honorary emblem to high-ranked Canadian Rangers as part of the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Rangers.
The year 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian Rangers. Since their formal founding in May 1947, Canadian Rangers continue to make significant contributions to Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Operating in many fields such as ground search and rescues, domestic operations, and training of fellow members of the CAF, the Canadian Rangers provide key support to Canadians when and where needed.
To honour their 75th anniversary, the Canadian Army (CA) recognizes 2022 as “The Year of the Canadian Ranger”. Through various initiatives at the local, regional, and national levels, the past and present contributions of the Canadian Rangers to the CAF will be highlighted and recognized.
Currently, over 5,000 Canadian Rangers are serving in more than 220 communities across Canada. They are trained and ready to assist Canadians at a moment’s notice – wherever and whenever the call comes.
Celebrations
Throughout 2022, various national celebrations will be held across Canada in recognition of the Canadian Rangers’ 75th anniversary:
- CR-75 Rendez-Vous (May 21-23, 2022)
- National Sentry Program (June 2022)
- Canada Army Run (September 9, 2022)
- National Canadian Rangers Working Group (October 2022)
In addition to these national events, Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups across Canada will also be holding local events at various times throughout the year. Check out our events calendar to learn more about upcoming events and our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to see highlights of these.
Want to know more about “The Year of the Canadian Ranger”?
To highlight the CR-75 and share the outstanding stories and achievements of Canadian Rangers, the CA will release a special episode of its podcast along with the “Meet a Ranger” video series. The CA Journal will also feature numerous articles on the Canadian Rangers. Make sure to check this webpage often to not miss the release of these Canadian Ranger profiles!
Canadians Rangers History
The Canadian Rangers that we know today were founded during the Second World War as the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (PCMRs). There was a need for the sparsely populated West Coast to have a military presence that could provide surveillance, conduct patrols, and protect transportation as well as communication lines. An attack on a lighthouse on British Columbia’s coast drew attention to this vulnerability and resulted in the formation of the PCMRs on March 3, 1942.
At the height of the Second World War, over 15,000 volunteer PCMRs served in 138 companies, which were stood down in 1945. The Canadian Rangers were formally established on May 23, 1947, due to the increasing threats Canada faced as a result of the Cold War. Today, the role of the Canadian Rangers continues to evolve to meet Canada’s military needs within remote and isolated areas.
Canadian Rangers in the News
Consult this section to read Canadian Rangers related news as we are highlighting “The Year of the Canadian Ranger”.
Eye on the Artic: The Canadian Rangers at 75: The eyes and ears of the North
Official march unveiled for Canadian Rangers composed by RCA Band musician
Canadian Rangers celebrate 75th anniversary with canoe voyage to Ottawa
More ‘Year of the Canadian Ranger’ events on the way
Q&A with Sgt Peden, the Canadian Ranger leading the Remembrance Day Sentry Command
Canadian Rangers Events Calendar
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Rangers and highlight their contributions t to the CAF for more than seven decades, the Canadian Rangers will organize and participate in many events as part of “The Year of the Canadian Ranger”. Take a look at the below list of events to learn more about the upcoming celebrations.
April 2022
- 2 CRPG Canadian Rangers Book Launch
May 2022
- CR-75 Rendez-Vous (May 21-23, 2022)
- From May 21 to 23, Canadian Rangers from across the country, along with Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, General Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff and Major-General Michel-Henri St Louis the CA’s Acting Commander will be in Victoria, B.C. for the CR-75 Rendez-Vous which will nationally kick-off “The Year of the Canadian Ranger”. During this weekend-long event, various training activities will be organized and a ceremony will be held to honour the formal establishment of the Canadian Rangers – which took place on May 23, 1947. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the CA Facebook.
- Territorial Announcements
June 2022
- National Sentry Program
- Canadian Rangers will stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of the National Sentry Program in Ottawa, Ont.
- Whitehorse Museum Exhibit
- Canadian Ranger Patrol "Open House"
- As part of Ex OVERLAND RANGER.
July 2022
- National Sentry Program
- Canadian Rangers will stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as part of the National Sentry Program in Ottawa, Ont.
- Whitehorse Museum Exhibit
August 2022
- Historica Canada Video
- A video made in collaboration with the Canadian Rangers and Historica Canada to highlight the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Rangers will be released.
- Dawson City (No 1 Coy) Event
- Canadian Ranger Patrol Leadership Conferences
September 2022
- Iqualuit Museum Exhibit
- Ex Canadian Rangers Tracker
October 2022
- Iqualuit Museum Exhibit
- Canadian Rangers Working Group
- The Canadian Rangers will host a national Canadian Rangers working group where the Command Teams from all of the Canadian Rangers Patrol Groups will meet with the Director of the Canadian Rangers to discuss the upcoming year and future plans. This is a yearly recurrent event.
- National Junior Canadian Rangers Championship
November 2022
- Veterans’ Week
- Canada Army Run
- The Canadian Rangers will participate in Canada Army Run. Canada Army Run will highlight “The Year of the Canadian Ranger” by sharing profiles of Canadian Rangers throughout the year as well as designing a CR-75 race coin and organizing a 75 kilometres challenge.
December 2022
- Canadian Rangers Leadership Symposium With “Mess Dinner” – Year in Review
February 2023
- First Nations’ Great Expedition
Related Links
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