Headquarters

Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Lessard, CD2

Born in Greenfield Park, near Montreal, Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Lessard joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1991 and served with the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (Reserve) during his university studies in urban planning as non-commissioned officer and officer at the lieutenant’s rank.

He joined the Regular Force in 2000 and was assigned to the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada in Valcartier.  During his first regimental tour as an armoured Troop leader, he participated in OP PALLADIUM in Bosnia-Herzegovina with D Squadron. In 2003, his first posting outside the Regiment was as an instructor at the Armoured School at CFB Gagetown.  Returning to the Regiment in 2006, he deployed as Staff Officer with Task Force KANDAHAR Headquarters in 2007-2008. He deployed back to Afghanistan as a mentor with the Task Force 3-10 Operational Mentor Team in 2020-2011.  Upon returning home, he then commanded sub-units at the 2 Division Training Centre and 12e RBC (Recce and HQ Sqns)

Transferred to Ottawa, he served from 2013 to 2019 in the Joint Strategic Staff, Canadian Joint Operational Command and Military Personnel Command as Staff Officer and Personal Assistant to the Deputy Commander of these Commands.  He completed his Joint Command and Staff Program at CFC Toronto in 2014, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from ÉNAP in 2015 and deployed as Chief of Staff of Task Force Middle East in Jordan in 2017-2018.

Promoted to his current rank in May 2019, he assumed the Directorate of Military Career Support Services in the final year where he led the relocation of Merit Boards to CFB Uplands and managed the CAF personnel relocation enterprise during the posting season.  He held the Regional Cadets Support Unit East Commanding officer’s position from 2020 to 2022. From 2022 until his release from the Regular Force and component transfer to the Primary Reserve in August 2024, he was employed as the Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel Generation with the Military Personnel Generation Group.

He and Nathalie are the parents of 2 young adults, Marianne and Frédérique.  He enjoys ice hockey, softball, hunting-fishing and tries hard not to hurt anyone on the golf course.