Creation of Canada's Permanent Military Force (1871–1883) National Historic Event

Kingston, Ontario
'The Coldest Post in the British Empire’, 1871, La Citadelle de Québec, Résidence du Royal 22e Régiment (date of publication unknown), Le Musée du Royal 22e Régiment. © Le Musée du Royal 22e Régiment, courtesy of the Department of National Defence | Le Musée du Royal 22e Régiment, avec l'autorisation du ministère de la Défense nationaleDepiction of the B Battery of the Canadian School of Gunnery, Quebec Citadel. La Citadelle de Québec, Résidence du Royal 22e Régiment (date of publication unknown), Le Musée du Royal 22e Régiment. © Le Musée du Royal 22e Régiment, courtesy of the Department of National Defence | avec l'autorisation du ministère de la Défense nationale
Address : Fort Henry, 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, Ontario

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date: 2023-07-14
Dates:
  • 1871 to 1883 (Established)

Other Name(s):
  • Creation of Canada's Permanent Military Force (1871-1883)  (Designation Name)
  • Creation of A and B Batteries of Garrison Artillery  (Historic Name)
Research Report Number: 2022-33

Importance: The creation of a small permanent force marked the beginnings of military professionalization in Canada

Plaque(s)


Existing plaque:  Fort Henry, 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, Ontario

Canada responded to the withdrawal of almost all British troops in 1871 by raising permanent militia garrisons at two locations vulnerable to American attack. A and B Batteries were based at Fort Henry in Kingston and the Québec Citadel and set up schools of gunnery. As Canada’s first full-time army units, they became part of the new Regiment of Canadian Artillery in 1883. This marked the start of the regular force, which played a central role in efforts to form a professional military force through the training of militiamen. The Militia Act of 1883 recognized and expanded the force to include cavalry and infantry units.