Support Our Troops licence plates a big win for CAF members

October 14, 2025 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel

For more than a decade, Albertans have had an opportunity to showcase their support for the CAF, while also contributing to support those in uniform.

Launched in 2014, the Government of Alberta’s Support Our Troops licence plate program has raised more than $3.5 million, with the proceeds going to the CAF’s official charitable causes: Support Our Troops and Soldier On.

“It’s a way to demonstrate your support publicly to the military and the military community in Alberta,” said Todd Stride, Associate Vice President for Community Development and Military Family Services with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.

Stride was speaking on Oct. 3 at an event recognizing the Alberta government’s contributions to the military community via the licence plate program.

Alberta is not the only province to offer specialty licence plates in concert with Support Our Troops – Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan have also made similar plates available to drivers. However, it’s the Alberta program that is far and away the most successful.

“Alberta is really leading the way, both from Albertans’ support and purchase of the plates, but also […] it is the program that is most lucrative,” Stride said.

In the last fiscal year alone, the Alberta plates have provided approximately $171,000 in funding to Support Our Troops and Soldier On, from which close to 900 individuals have benefited in various ways.

Speaking during the event, Alberta government MLA Justin Wright, who serves as the Military Liaison for the Province of Alberta, explained the money from the licence plates goes towards services like summer camps for military children, emergency financial assistance, supports and services for ill and injured members, and funding for families with special needs children.

“Every purchase of a customized plate shows appreciation to the CAF members and their families who selflessly serve our country,” Wright said. “Whether you’re raised here, moved here when you were young, or you were posted here last week, know that Albertans have your back.”

Colonel Ryan Stimpson, Chief of Staff for 3^rd Canadian Division, also spoke at the event.

“Your contributions have made a real difference,” he said. “On behalf of the CAF, please accept my sincere thanks.”

Support Our Troops and Soldier On were both founded in 2007, with the goal of supporting CAF members while serving and retired. Support Our Troops helps provide critical and timely assistance and financial supports to CAF members, veterans and their families. Soldier On is a program of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, and helps ill and injured CAF members and veterans stay involved in the community through providing access to sport, recreation and creative activities.

To learn more about the Support Our Troops licence plate program in Alberta, visit: www.alberta.ca/support-our-troops-licence-plate.