Major-General David Fraser, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD (Ret’d) is one of Canada’s most decorated generals since the Second World War, and a highly accomplished leader in both the public and private sectors.

Upon graduation from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1980, MGen Fraser was commissioned as an Infantry Officer. He subsequently served in various command and staff positions in the PPCLI (Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry) from platoon to Division throughout an illustrious 30-year career. Most notably, MGen Fraser commanded the NATO coalition in Southern Afghanistan—presiding over Operation Medusa, the largest combat engagement of Canadian soldiers since the Korean War.

In 1990, after a decade of service with both the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, PPCLI, MGen Fraser attended the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. Following his promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, he was posted to Calgary as Chief of Staff for Alberta District, Land Force Western Area. In 1996, he assumed command of 2 PPCLI, and took the Battalion to Bosnia as the first Canadian Battle Group with SFOR (Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina). His tour with 2 PPCLI also included support to Quebec during the historic North American Ice Storm of 1998.

Afterwards, MGen Fraser returned to Ottawa as Director, Land Force Readiness, where he was responsible for overseeing Army planning and tasks. His role encompassed the planning of Canada’s participation in Kosovo and Honduras. MGen Fraser was then assigned as Project Director, Land Force Reserve Restructure, where he developed new Army Capabilities and tasks for the Army Reserve. During this time, he also completed his Master’s in Defence Management and Policy from the Royal Military College and Queen’s University.

In 2003, MGen Fraser was posted to the Binational Planning Group in Colorado Springs, where he served as co-director until 2005. The same year, he took command of 1 Canadian Mechanized Battle Group. On February 28, 2006, MGen Fraser officially assumed command of the Multi-National Brigade (Regional Command South) in Afghanistan, with Canada as the lead nation.

Following his return from Afghanistan, MGen Fraser served as Commandant of the Canadian Forces College, and commanded both the Land Forces Doctrine and Training System (LFDTS) and the 1st Canadian Division until his retirement in 2011.

MGen Fraser’s honours and awards include the Commander of Military Merit, the Canadian Meritorious Service Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the United States Legion of Honor and Bronze Star, and awards from the Netherlands, Poland, and NATO. He received the Vimy Award from the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) Institute in 2006 for “significant and outstanding contribution to defence and security for Canada,” and the Atlantic Council Award in 2007 for his “exceptional contribution to furthering international peace and security.”

In 2011, MGen Fraser and his partners started Blue Goose Pure Foods, a producer of certified organic beef, chicken, and fish. After two years, their products were sold in over 700 retail stores across Canada. In 2015, he joined INKAS Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing as COO. The following year, he started AEGIS Corporation to address the needs of the Canadian private sector in building capacity abroad, where he currently serves as President.

MGen Fraser sits on several boards, and advises the Bank of Montreal on their Canadian Defence Community Banking Program. He is also the best-selling author of Operation Medusa, The Furious Battle that Saved Afghanistan from the Taliban.

Having served for over 31 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, MGen Fraser continues to wear a military uniform as the 17th Honorary Colonel of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

He is married to Jane Burnell, and enjoys golf and skeet shooting.