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The Canadian Army announced the standing down of its 5th Division over the weekend, marking a major milestone in the ongoing restructuring of the nation’s military forces.
Members of the army and the public gathered at Emera Oval in Halifax for a ceremony honouring the division’s contribution to the Atlantic region and the country.
Brig.-Gen. Mark Parsons, Commander of the 5th Canadian Division, said while the 5th Division will stand down, its units and personnel embedded across the Atlantic provinces will stay in place and report to different divisions within the army.
It’s a reflection of the modernization of the army which will see it move away from regionally based divisions to units structured according to their mission and purpose.
Also known as the Mighty Maroon Machine because of the unit’s distinct uniform patches, the 5th Division is responsible for operations and activities throughout Atlantic Canada. With its deep roots in the region spanning more than a century, it was activated for service during both World Wars and stood down each time the conflict ended.
In 2013, it was reactivated again as the 5th Canadian Division to restore its historical identity. Since then, the division has played vital roles in responses to domestic emergencies, such as aiding in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in 2022, and in overseas military missions training soldiers for operations in Latvia.
Warrant Officer Jonathan Haggett, who has served 19 years in the 5th Division as a reservist for musical support, said he felt “a great sense of pride” when reflecting on his military career.
“A lot of people came before us to build this division into what it is,” he said. “And I’m happy to carry on that tradition.”
Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, called the ceremony for the 5th Canadian Division “an opportunity to celebrate its many accomplishments.”
The sunset ceremony for the 5th Division is an important benchmark for the military, said Wright, because it sets the stage for the modernization of the army.
He said while the 5th Division is changing, the military is expanding across Atlantic Canada with new infrastructure investments.
“Our army has always evolved and adapted to meet the moment and we will do so again,” Wright said.
In March, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that more than $1 billion would be spent on the 5th Canadian Support Base Gagetown in New Brunswick, partly to house a new air defence system and to reconfigure the base’s training area and range.
More than $2 billion is also allocated for defence spending in the Halifax region and at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood.
Canada spent approximately $63 billion on defence in 2025-26, and the Atlantic region is expected to receive $38.2 million for defence investment under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative over three years starting last year.
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