New Commander for the Army in Ontario

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 28, 2012) - Command of Land Force Central Area (LFCA), the Ontario-focused subordinate command of the Canadian Army was formally changed at a military ceremony at the Denison Armoury in Toronto on Thursday, June 28, 2012. Brigadier-General Fred Lewis handed over to Brigadier-General Omer Lavoie and it was presided over by the Commander of the Canadian Army Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, CMM, MSC, CD.

"I am honoured to officiate this ceremony at this important time in the history of the Army," said Lt.-Gen Devlin. "LFCA will play a significant role in the shaping of the Canadian Army in the months and years ahead."

Incoming Commander Brig.-Gen Omer Lavoie, OMM, MSC, CD comes to LFCA after commanding 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) in Edmonton. Brig.-Gen Lavoie has spent a number of years of his career in LFCA having started with The Royal Canadian Regiment.

"I am deeply humbled by the prospect of this command given my background in the Royal Canadian Regiment and Land Force Central Area," said Brig.-Gen Lavoie. "I look forward to meeting and working with all units and formations across Ontario."

He takes over from Brig.-Gen Fred Lewis, MSM, CD who is retiring from the military after 36-years of service.

"It has been a distinct pleasure for me to finish my career by serving as commander of LFCA," said Brig.-Gen Lewis. "I leave with a sense of pride and confidence for the Area as I hand over to Brigadier-General Lavoie."

The Commander of LFCA is also the Commander of Joint Task Force (Central). This is an operational subordinate command of Canada Command, which focuses on domestic support and disaster response in Ontario by working with civilian agencies, in times of crisis.