Press Release DND
Lieutenant-General Erick Simoneau assumed Command of Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) from Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon on Monday, June 16, 2025, during a morning ceremony at National Defence Headquarters Carling Campus in Ottawa. General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, presided over the ceremony.
The Commander of MILPERSCOM oversees approximately 11,000 military and 4,800 civilian personnel who are responsible for the overall personnel management of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Personnel management covers a wide spectrum, including recruitment, training and education, pay and benefits, health services, honours and history, and corporate and personnel support.
Lieutenant-General Simoneau spent his early career with postings in Valcartier, Kingston, and Ottawa, while also deploying to Haïti, Kosovo, and Afghanistan as a pilot. His latest international deployment was to Kandahar as Commander of a tactical helicopter unit. He has participated in domestic operations and managed disaster response as Deputy Chief of Staff Continental Operations at Canadian Joint Operations Command in Ottawa.
Lieutenant-General Simoneau also commanded 2 Wing Bagotville from 2013 to 2015. He served as Director of Operations for Foreign and Defence Policy within the Privy Council Office of the Prime Minister from 2018 to 2020. Lieutenant-General Simoneau then became Director General Plans within the Joint Strategic Staff, the Chief of Staff- Professional Conduct and Culture, and in August 2024 was appointed Deputy Commander of Military Personnel Command.
Quotes
“I want to thank Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon and her team at Military Personnel Command who have done incredible work to improve recruitment, policies, and programs that help us better support our members and their families to achieve our mission. I wish her a wonderful and well-deserved retirement. I am looking forward to working with Lieutenant-General Erick Simoneau, as we know that under your watch the future will hold nothing less than continued improvements to our service.”
General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff
“I am honoured to take over as Commander of Military Personnel Command and to oversee what I already know is a dynamic and hard-working team. In my new position, I will support the strong momentum we have generated to ensure that we are an organization that focuses on supporting our personnel and their families. Personnel are the foundation of the Canadian Armed Forces.”
Lieutenant-General Erick Simoneau, incoming Commander of Military Personnel Command
“Serving as Acting Commander and then Commander has been the honour of my lifetime. To add to the well-being of our people in uniform and their families has been a privilege. I offer my sincere congratulations to Lieutenant-General Simoneau on his appointment to succeed me, and I know that Military Personnel Command will continue to advance under his leadership.”
Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon, outgoing Commander of Military Personnel Command
