In the Canadian Army, the Supplementary Order of Battle is a category of regiments that are reduced to zero strength but continues to exist administratively. This is done when the need for the regiment's continued operation is no longer relevant, and the regiment is re-manned only when the Department of National Defence deems the unit is required again. The Supplementary Order of Battle was instituted during the army rationalizations in the 1960s as an alternative to outright disbandment. If a regiment is re-manned and moved from the Supplementary Order of Battle, it takes its old place in the order of precedence and its colours, traditions and battle honours remain as if there had been no interruption of service.

In contrast, regiments that are completely disbanded are not placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle. For example, the Canadian Airborne Regiment was completely disbanded in the aftermath of the Somalia Affair in 1993, and is not placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle.

Three regiments have been removed from the Supplementary Order of Battle by amalgamating them with existing Primary Reserve units: the Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment), on the order since 1965, was merged into the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) in 2002. The 19th Alberta Dragoons, also on the order since 1965, was merged into the South Alberta Light Horse in 2006. The Royal Rifles of Canada, on the order since 1966, was merged into the Voltigeurs de Québec in 2019.

On September 5, 2008, Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced that The Halifax Rifles (RCAC) would be reorganized as an active unit. The Halifax Rifles are the first, and so far only, regiment to rejoin the Primary Reserve from the Supplementary Order of Battle.

On September 10, 2026, the 3rd Canadian Division and the 4th Canadian Division were added to the Supplementary Order of Battle.

Divisions on the Supplementary Order of Battle

Division Formed To SOB Headquarters 3rd Canadian Division 1915 2026 CFB Edmonton 4th Canadian Division 1916 2026 Denison Armoury

Regiments on the Supplementary Order of Battle Royal Canadian Armoured Corps

+ Armoured units on the Supplementary Order of Battle Regiment Formed To SOB Headquarters 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards 1875 1965 Ottawa 12th Manitoba Dragoons 1903 1964 Winnipeg 14th Canadian Hussars 1910 1968 Swift Current

Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery

Regiment Formed To SOB Headquarters 3rd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery 1951 1992 Shilo, Manitoba 4th Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery 1952 1970 Petawawa, Ontario 8th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1912 1970 Hamilton, Ontario 12th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1905 1965 Fredericton, New Brunswick 14th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1912 1968 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia 18th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1920 1970 Lethbridge, Alberta 21st Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1936 1970 Wingham, Ontario 24th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1914 1965 Trail, British Columbia 27th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1910 1970 Farnham, Quebec 29th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1898 1965 Sarnia, Ontario 34th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1942 1965 Montreal, Quebec 37th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1905 1965 Montreal, Quebec 39th Field Artillery Regiment (Self-Propelled), RCA 1914 1965 Winnipeg, Manitoba 40th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1936 1981 Kenora, Ontario 44th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1946 1965 St. Catharines, Ontario 46th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1936 1968 Drummondville, Quebec 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA 1866 1970 Peterborough, Ontario 53rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA 1946 1968 Yorkton, Saskatchewan 57th Field Artillery Regiment (2nd/10th Dragoons), RCA 1872 1970 Niagara Falls, Ontario 19th Medium Artillery Regiment, RCA 1920 1965 Calgary, Alberta 33rd Medium Artillery Regiment, RCA 1946 1965 Cobourg, Ontario 42nd Medium Artillery Regiment, RCA 1931 1965 Toronto, Ontario 1st Artillery Locating Regiment, RCA 1946 1965 Toronto, Ontario

Royal Canadian Infantry Corps

+ Infantry units on the Supplementary Order of Battle Regiment Formed To SOB Headquarters Canadian Guards 1951 1970 Petawawa Victoria Rifles of Canada 1862 1965 Montreal Régiment de Joliette 1871 1964 Joliette Perth Regiment 1886 1965 Stratford, Ontario South Saskatchewan Regiment 1905 1968 Estevan Winnipeg Grenadiers 1908 1965 Winnipeg1st Battalion, Irish Regiment of Canada19151965Toronto Yukon Regiment 1962 1968 Whitehorse, Yukon

See also Canadian Militia Canadian Army Primary Reserve History of the Canadian Army Militia Act of 1855 Otter Commission 1920 National Defence Act 1923 Kennedy Report on the Reserve Army 1954 Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces 1968

Notes

References Canadian Army Roll of Regiments 1964 Government of Canada Announces Reserve Units in Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories