Current News

23 June 2022

Retirement CPL Jordan Hedstrom

Corporal Jordan Hedstrom will release from the Canadian Armed Forces on 10 July 2022, after 9 years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, the Royal Canadian Coprs of Signals and again the best trade, The LINE trade. His retirement message is available here.

03 May 2022

Retirement WO Sheldon Gillis

Warrant Officer Sheldon Gillis, CD will release from the Canadian Armed Forces on June 07 2022, after 23 years of loyal and dedicated service to Canada, the Royal Canadian Coprs of Signals and the best trade, The LINE trade. His retirement message is available here.

21 April 2022

Retirement WO Steven Williams

After joining in 1985 and became a Lineman in 1991, WO Steven Williams CD, will be retiring on the 25th of April 2022. His departure will be will be celebrated in Kingston on 317 Gore Road (ANAF) on the 29th June 2022 at 1200h. Any stories and anecdotes can be sent to Sgt Yan Roy at Roy Sgt YJGL@CFSCE-EECFC@Kingston Yan.Roy@forces.gc.ca
His retirement info is available here.

10 Aug 2021

Rob Bell battling cancer

Attention all Kingston linemen and those who know Rob Bell: his father reached out to 77 Line Regt as he has been battling cancer the past few years and currently finishing up another round of chemotherapy at KGH. While he cannot have visitors outside of family, Bell Senior said it would boost his morale a lot if there were lineman in the area to talk to at 328-4321. We currently don't have a prognosis but please consider taking some time out of your day to give him a call.

09 Aug 2021

Volunteers for research project

Bob Martineau (BGen (Ret), former CO 715 Comm Sqn, 71 Comm Group, and last Commander CFCC) is looking for linemen who served in the 1950s/60s to help with a research project. In particular, he is looking for information on how the various Comm Groups and regional line sections were structured then. Those interested in helping preserve our history are invited to contact him at robert.k.martineau@sympatico.ca.

29 Jun 2020

New Acting CAFL President and Vice President

The positions of CAFL President and Vice President have tentatively been filled! Left vacant earlier in the year with Kevin Duffett and Yvan Tremblay's departures, Ron During and Baz Slaney are stepping up to the challenge from the antenna shop in Ottawa, ON. Stay tuned for more on their vision and goals for the Association in 2020!

25 Jun 2020

Obituary for Karen Eichler

It is with sadness that we must report that Karen Eichler, wife of lineman Richard Eichler, passed away on 22 Jun after a long battle with cancer at their home in Gander, NL. Our thoughts are with Richard, their four children, and the rest of her family, and a heartfelt thank you to all who donated to her fundraiser while it was on the Events page.

The full obituary can be found here, as well as a video memorial and eulogy. Rest in peace, Karen.

05 Jun 2020

Petawawa Branch fishing derby canceled

Petawawa Branch Treasurer Pascal Morneau writes to inform us that due to the coronavirus restrictions in Ontario, the 2020 Petawawa Fishing Derby has been canceled. The full letter is available here.

Instead, they are looking to perhaps hold a pig roast near the end of August/September if some restrictions are lifted - more to follow.

As one of the Petawawa branch's initiatives, he also encourages all CAFL members to make a dontation to the Solider On program for helping ill and injured veterans during this time.

27 May 2020

CANCAP II employment opportunity

CAFL has recieved an opportunity for retired linemen from the Canadian Forces Contractor Augmentation Program (CANCAP). This joint venture of SNC-Lavalin PAE Inc. is the preliminary stages of discussions, awaiting a draft Statement of Work.

Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) has proposed work for CANCAP Linemen, Help Desk Operators and CIS Inventory Managers based at Camp Canada in Kuwait, and with potential for temporary assignments at CF team sites throughout the OP IMPACT AOR, including Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.

Deployments may begin as early as August 2020 and require Secret clearance. If interested, please email Frank Vice your resume at frank.vice@snclavalin.com, and he will provide updates as more information arrives.

07 May 2020

Retirement of Capt Blair MacKnight, LINEMAN

After 35 years of service to Canada, Capt Blair MacKnight will be retiring on the 6th of July 2020. His full retirement message is available here.

UPDATE (15 Jun): DWD has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. There will be a news post when a new date is chosen.

14 Apr 2020

Coronavirus pandemic relief and assistance

As we enter the third month of the coronavirus pandemic in Canada, many are struggling to make ends meet, when there are programs that can help them and their families. In addition to the Government of Canada's Economic Response Plan, still-serving members can access the C&E Association's Distress Signal initiative (handled on an case-by-case basis) and CFMWS's emergency grant ($200 in gift cards for groceries and gas).

For veterans and their survivors, Veterans Affairs Canada has the Veterans Emergency Fund, which is a grant of up to $10,000 that can be made available 48 hours after applying.

CFMWS's Family Information Line is another tool that can be reached at +1 (800) 866-4546 (or internationally at 00-800-771-17722). This free, bilingual, and confidential service offers information, support, referrals, reassurance, and crisis management for the military community and their families.

More resources will be posted as we get them. In the meantime, everyone please keep up the social distancing and listen to your local news updates.

13 Apr 2020

CAFL wants your line photos!

With everyone stuck inside now is the perfect time to go through the photo album, because CAFL wants your best shots of linemen in action! We need more images for use around the site, and are considering setting up a photo gallery to preserve and give the world a visual idea of what it is we exactly do! From high atop towers to undergound in manholes, we welcome all contributions, with a chance for yours to be featured on the site for years to come. Please send submissions to caflnec@cafl.org.

28 Mar 2020

Letter from C&E Branch Colonel Commandant regarding coronavirus pandemic

BGen Kevin O'Keefe (Ret'd) has written an open letter about the need for our communities and families must come together to support each other in the time of need. In the full letter, those who are able to help and those who need help during this difficult time are invited to contact him at kevin.okeefe@cmcen.ca or by calling +1 (613) 862-8495. We invite all members of our line family to reach out, stay safe, and stay healthy.

20 Mar 2020

2019 news items archived

A new year, a fresh front page - the webmaster has archived all news items from 2019. If you missed something or want to access our historical archive, contact us at caflnec@cafl.org.

17 Mar 2020

CANCELLED: Netherlands 2020 Battlefield Study Tour

Unfortunately, the 75th liberation anniversary study tour scheduled to start near the end of April has been cancelled due to the global coronavirus pandemic. We expect that the C&E Branch will be releasing more information about refunds for those who have already paid in the coming days.

28 Feb 2020

Lineman breakfast in Halifax

Alex Bergman is once again hosting the monthly Lineman breakfast for people in or around the Halifax area. All are welcome to drop by the Sunnyside Restaurant in Bedford (1552 Bedford Hwy, Bedford, NS) at 0900 hrs on 29 Feb. Please email him if you will be attending by 28 Feb (Friday) so he knows how many seats to reserve.

20 Feb 2020

UPDATE: Ron During's treatment

Jodi Jones writes us to say that Ron During is now on his eigth round of chemotherapy, and things are progressing very well, with his first gain in weight (3 kg) since starting treatment (previously he was losing about a kilogram a week). He has also started doing more painting and chores around the house as his energy returns.


As before, he has asked for people to either contact Mike or CAFL to pass on any thoughts or well wishes. Thanks for your understanding.

05 Feb 2020

Retirement of MWO Tim Brown, LINEMAN

After 27 years of service, MWO Tim Brown is retiring from the CAF on 15 Mar 2020. His full retirement message is available here.

A DWD ceremony is being held on 28 Feb starting at 1230 at the Great Canadian Brewhouse (101 St. Albert Trail #50, St. Albert, AB). Please RSVP Chris Lesperance (christopher.lesperance@forces.gc.ca) if you will be attending, or to send congratulatory messages, best wishes, and career anecdotes.

28 Jan 2020

Lineman breakfast in Halifax

January's breakfast was postponed but not out! Alex Bergman is hosting the monthly Lineman breakfast for people in or around the Halifax area. All are welcome to drop by the Sunnyside Restaurant in Bedford (1552 Bedford Hwy, Bedford, NS) at 0900 hrs on 1 Feb. Please email him if you will be attending by 31 Jan (Friday) so he knows how many seats to reserve.

24 Jan 2020

UPDATE: Ron During's treatment

Some positive news from Mike Walsh saying that Ron During is on his sixth round of chemotherapy and there has been almost a 32% shrinkage in his tumour as a result, with blood work also coming back normal this time. Other than a bit of sleeplessness, Ron is doing well.


As before, he has asked for people to either contact Mike or CAFL to pass on any thoughts or well wishes. Thanks for your understanding.

08 Jan 2020

Retirement of MCpl Martin St-Louis, LINEMAN

MCpl Martin St-Louis is retiring from the CAF on 9 Feb 2020, with over 18 years of service. His full retirement message is available here.

As per Martin's request, an informal DWD ceremony is being held on 30 Jan starting at 1200 at the Limestone City Legion Branch #560 (734 Montreal Street, Kingston, Ontario). Congratulatory messages are welcome and can be sent no later than 24 Jan to Stephane Hache (stephane.hache4@forces.gc.ca).

06 Jan 2020

Call for agenda points - ideas for CAFL, issues, feedback

The National Executive Committee is looking for any ideas or issues that members would like to be brought up at the Annual General Meeting on 10 Feb (details forthcoming). The Association is founded by Linemen, for Linemen, so anything people would like to address is welcome to be emailed at caflnec@cafl.org. In order to have time to add them to the agenda, please try to have your comments in before the end of January.

04 Jan 2020

REMINDER: CAFL Family Scholarship

Happy New Year! Just a reminder that the deadline for the CAFL Family Scholarship is 31 Jan and it can be awarded to CAFL members or their children, grandchildren, spouses, or siblings. The application form and details can be found at the bottom of the Membership page.