Dragoons B.C.'s Lieutenant-Colonel, Wade Peters, during his presentation to Vernon City Council Monday (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Dragoons Recruitment Efforts

Dragoons looking to bolster reservist numbers

Jan 12, 2026 | 6:44 PM

The local army reservists group is looking to bring new members into its ranks.

At the regular meeting for Vernon City Council Monday, Jan. 12, B.C. Dragoons’ Lieutenant-Colonel, Wade Peters, informed council that the Canadian Armed Forces is modernizing its operations so it can better support and defend allies.

That will require more people ready to serve in the military.

“We’re asking for [council’s] support in enabling Canadians to serve in the Canadian Army’s primary reserve,” Wade said.

“We also ask that you invite us to your respective organizations to explain how and why the Canadian Army is changing, and how these changes will benefit Canada.”

Fire spreads to house

Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire

3h ago

Youth Health Services

Youth immunization, sexual health clinic opening in Vernon

8h ago

Displaced For A Week

Some residents still displaced from fatal apartment fire

Apr 01, 2026

The Dragoons, which are based out of Vernon and Kelowna, has approximately 100 members living and working between Golden and Oliver as of time of publication, including 20 in the North Okanagan. Wade said in an email to Vernon Matters that they would like to see their ranks grow to around 130 members, with a total of around 30 based within the North Okanagan.

They are part-time, on-call soldiers who are ready to be deployed overseas, such as they have in the past in Afghanistan and most recently in Latvia. They can also serve domestically, as they have in cases where assistance was needed in fighting wildfires, evacuating people during floods, and addressing cybersecurity threats.

Council voted unanimously in providing support for the Dragoons’ recruitment efforts, and in connecting them with local partners to share the changes planned to modernize the armed forces.