32 Signal Regiment
32 Signal Regiment traces its roots to 1907, when one of Canada’s first militia signalling units—the No. 3 Signalling Company—was formed in Toronto. These early signallers were responsible for establishing visual and wired communications for local militia brigades, using flags, lamps, telegraph lines, and later early wireless equipment.
During the First World War, members of these Toronto signalling units joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force, providing communications support across the Western Front. Their work was essential for coordinating infantry, artillery, and headquarters operations during major battles throughout the war.
Between the wars, the Toronto-area signalling units expanded and modernized as new technologies like radio and field telephones transformed battlefield communication. In the Second World War, signallers from these units again contributed to overseas operations, supporting Canadian formations in Europe, Italy, and North Africa while also maintaining home-front communication networks.
After the war, several reorganizations took place, eventually leading to the creation of 2 Militia Signal Squadron and 1 Militia Signal Regiment. In 1970, these elements were reorganized into what would become 709 (Toronto) Communication Regiment, which served as the main Reserve communications unit in the region for several decades.
In 2011, the regiment was officially redesignated as 32 Signal Regiment, aligning it directly under 32 Canadian Brigade Group. Today, the regiment provides highly trained signalers capable of delivering tactical communications, computer networks, secure radio systems, and digital command-and-control support.
Its members have deployed on domestic missions such as disaster relief, major event security, and national emergencies, as well as international operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. With over a century of communication heritage, 32 Signal Regiment remains essential to enabling command and control across 32 CBG’s operations at home and abroad.