Commander of the Canadian Army visits Edmonton and Wainwright, advancing 3rd Canadian Division’s transition to a Manoeuvre Division
November 20, 2025 - Lt Robynn Still, Public Affairs Officer, 3rd Canadian Division
Lieutenant‑General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army, visited CFBs Edmonton and Wainwright from Oct. 16 to 19, as part of his ongoing tour across the Army. The visit underscored the momentum of Inflection Point 2025, the Canadian Army’s modernization initiative designed to build an agile, scalable and lethal force ready for MCOs.
Throughout the visit, the Commander focused on 3 Cdn Div—the “Army of the West”—and its critical role in the Army’s modernization. The Division will soon become Manoeuvre Division, the Canadian Army’s primary combat force, capable of enabling decisive action in both MCOs and crisis situations.
Concurrently, 2 Cdn Div will transition to the Defence of Canada Division, composed mainly of part‑time soldiers, to lead domestic operations; meanwhile, 4 Cdn Div will transform to the Support Division, providing foundational infrastructure and services that support both expeditionary and domestic missions. In addition, a Training Formation will oversee all Army training, ensuring soldiers and teams are prepared to fight and win in the land domain.Footnote 1
Ready to detect, deter and defeat
During his engagements in Wainwright, LGen Wright observed both 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry training. He also attended the War Cabinet, where senior leaders assessed operational readiness and integration across combat and support elements. He also met with 3rd Canadian Division Support Group and conducted a townhall with soldiers.
“The Army we have is not the Army we need,” LGen Wright stated. “We need to be ready to deter, detect and defeat threats, but ultimately to be able to defend Canada.”Footnote 2
This visit reaffirmed 3 Cdn Div’s focus on operational readiness for MCOs validated through realistic training, cohesive teamwork and a commitment to credible deterrence.
Caption
Major John Smeets, Real Property Operations Wainwright Detachment, speaks with Lieutenant‑General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army, during a visit to Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Oct. 16.
The visit focused on infrastructure priorities and modernization initiatives to ensure Canadian Army facilities support operational readiness and future capabilities.
The road to becoming Manoeuvre Division
Under Inflection Point 2025, the Canadian Army is rebuilding its divisional level warfighting strength to address gaps in personnel, equipment, training and sustainment to deliver lethality across pan domain operations.
The shift of 3 Cdn Div to Manoeuvre Division marks a major step in that process, solidifying it as Canada’s core land combat force for independent brigade‑ and division‑level engagements, with a focus on warfighting as well as Arctic mobility and persistence. This evolution not only enhances the Army’s ability to defend Canada’s northern approaches but also strengthens its capacity to reinforce NATO Allies and contribute meaningfully to collective defence across the Euro‑Atlantic region.
"We are rebuilding a division capable of major combat operations," said LGen Wright. “We’re growing so the Canadian Army can meet all of our force generation requirements.”Footnote 3
For 3 Cdn Div, this means a combat focused structure that boosts combat power and sustainment while closing gaps in heavy combined arms and long‑range fires. It includes updating logistics, adopting new tech and tailoring training for tomorrow’s battles.
Key priorities
Modernized Force Structure: A deployable headquarters geared for warfighting across the spectrum of conflict, from peace through competition, to crisis and war, emphasizing mission first design with light, medium and heavy forces. This new structure includes the following major components, which continue to be refined as planning progresses rapidly:
- Enhancing mechanized brigades with upgraded tanks and reconnaissance platforms.
- Establishing a fires brigade featuring self propelled 155‑mm artillery and LRPS capability.
- Forming a combat support brigade with air defence, engineers, electronic warfare systems, chemical‑biological‑radiological‑nuclear defence, civil‑military co‑operation, psychological operations and uncrewed aerial systems.
- Employing Combined Arms Reserve Battalions to achieve agility and operational depth.
- Standing up a sustainment brigade to increase logistics and support, with more automation and autonomy.
- Adding a dedicated light infantry regiment for rapid crisis and Arctic response.
- Integrating Manoeuvre Division aviation, medical and military police assets for quick mobilization.
Caption
Soldiers on the Rank Qualification - Infantry Private course at 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre conduct an assault during a Level 2 section live‑fire range program training in the Wainwright Training Area on Oct. 17.
The training develops marksmanship and combat movement skills under live‑fire conditions, reinforcing safety and tactical proficiency for operational deployments.
Technology Integration: Deployable systems like LRPS, enhanced night vision and upgraded command and control networks, blended electronic sensing and attack tools, plus integrated cyber and signals intelligence, will safeguard Canadian communications while disrupting adversaries.
Future Ready Soldiers: The training of adaptive, tech savvy troops for pan domain challenges to reinforce fitness, resilience and discipline to ready them for MCOs. Modernization will bring improved night vision, clothing and protective gear for better performance and comfort, and cutting‑edge technology.
Guided by agility, scalability and lethality, this modernization ensures soldiers will be able to counter threats decisively, enabling detection, deterrence and defeat in competition, crisis or conflict.
One army, One mission
On Oct. 18, LGen Wright visited 41 Canadian Brigade Group in Edmonton to observe Reserve training and engagement activities. The visit highlighted the One Army approach that integrates Regular, Reserve, Canadian Ranger and Defence Team civilian elements into a cohesive national capability, with Army Reserves gaining self sufficiency in training and operations.
"There’s a lot of work underway to ensure we can train incoming soldiers and develop leadership at the formation and division levels,” he said. "This is not a small change. We’ve studied and thought about it for a long time."Footnote 4
This alignment reflects the Canadian Army’s commitment to building a balanced, capable and unified force that can sustain operations both at home and abroad, including expanded roles for Reserves in mobilization, viral point security and homeland defence.
Strength through people and community
The visit concluded with LGen Wright’s participation in the Oct. 18 Yellow Ribbon Gala at the Edmonton Garrison Officers’ Mess. The event celebrated the strong bond between soldiers, families and the local community, recognizing their essential role in supporting the Army’s mission.
As 3 Cdn Div advances through modernization and transforms into Manoeuvre Division, its soldiers continue to embody professionalism, resilience and readiness. Through determination and innovation, Manoeuvre Division will set the standard for the modern Canadian Army, prepared for MCOs and Arctic challenges.
"The time for discussion is over.” LGen Wright stated at the opening of a townhall at CFB Edmonton. “The time to change is now, and in fact, change has already begun."Footnote 5
Caption
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry fire a LAV on the final range confirmation of the LAV Crew Commander and LAV Gunner courses in the Wainwright Training Area on Oct. 17.
This training prepares new crew members to be proficient in armoured vehicle gunnery and tactics for international missions.
Caption
A soldier at 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre reloads their weapon during Level 2 section live‑fire range during a Rank Qualification - Infantry Private course in the Wainwright Training Area on Oct. 17.
This training ensures soldiers maintain proficiency in weapons handling and live‑fire drills, reinforcing tactical capability for operational deployments.