WAINWRIGHT — Alberta’s Military Liaison Scott Cyr traded the meeting room for the training field recently, spending a day alongside Canadian Armed Forces members during ExecuTrek Wainwright 2026 and Exercise WESTERN SABRE.

The program gives civilian leaders a firsthand look at the training undertaken by Canada’s Reserve Force and a better understanding of what Reservists balance between their military commitments, civilian careers, education and family life.

For Cyr, the experience was also an opportunity to learn more about the Canadian Army as he continues expanding his work beyond the Royal Canadian Air Force community at 4 Wing Cold Lake.

From the briefing room to the training field

The day began with a headquarters briefing before participants travelled throughout the Wainwright training area.

Stops included Battle Bridge and Vertical Village, along with an artillery demonstration and an Advance to Contact exercise.

Rather than simply receiving presentations about Army operations, participants were able to watch training underway and speak directly with the soldiers involved.

“Seeing the training firsthand reinforced the commitment our Reservists make to serve,” Cyr said.

Reservists typically balance military service with civilian employment or post-secondary education while maintaining the training and readiness required to serve when called upon.

Cyr said the leadership, teamwork, discipline and ability to perform under pressure developed through that training can also benefit the workplaces and communities Reservists return to.

Employers play an important role

A major focus of ExecuTrek is helping employers and community leaders better understand Reserve service.

Military training and deployments can require Reservists to spend significant periods away from their regular jobs or studies, making support from employers and educational institutions an important part of maintaining Canada’s Reserve Force.

The Canadian Forces Liaison Council works with employers and schools to encourage that understanding.

“That is part of what makes ExecuTrek so valuable,” Cyr said. “By bringing employers and community leaders into the training environment, they can better understand what Reservists are being asked to do, the skills they bring back to their civilian careers, and why supporting their military service matters.”

Learning from military leadership

Cyr spent part of the day with Brigadier-General Paul Ursich, Deputy Commander of 3rd Canadian Division, and Colonel Kyle Clapperton, Commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group.

Ursich accompanied participants through the training area and provided context about the exercises taking place, while Clapperton discussed the role Reserve Force members play in Alberta and across Canada.

Cyr also thanked the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Forces Liaison Council and the Regular and Reserve Force members involved in organizing and participating in the program.

Expanding Alberta’s military connections

The Wainwright visit is part of Cyr’s work since being appointed Alberta’s Military Liaison in June.

Representing a constituency that includes 4 Wing Cold Lake has given Cyr significant exposure to the Royal Canadian Air Force, but the provincial position has expanded his focus to Army, Navy, Regular Force and Reserve communities throughout Alberta.

The role is intended to identify areas where military life intersects with provincial responsibilities, including healthcare, housing, education, employment and other services used by military members and their families.

Cyr said experiences such as ExecuTrek allow him to hear directly from the people serving and better understand those issues.

The visit also took Cyr into the constituency of Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell, an area with a longstanding relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces through Wainwright’s military training facilities.

“Thank you to every Reservist who makes the commitment to serve, and to the families, employers and communities that support them,” Cyr said.