The mission of 5 CER is to provide combat engineer support to the formation or task force created by 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.

The support squadron handles heavy equipment tasks such as bridge components and reverse osmosis water purification systems, as well as a combat diver section and an explosive ordnance disposal troop.

Between the 1970 and 1975, the Squadron participated in the construction of airstrips in the Canadian North, notably at Pond Inlet and Cape Dorset.

The project came to an end in January 2021 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Patry, CD, and the regiment officially moved to its new premises in building 294.

5 CER took part in operations: RECORD in Kuwait in 1991, CAVALIER in former Yugoslavia between 1992 and 1995, HARMONY in Croatia in 1993 and 1995, ALLIANCE in Bosnia in 1996, STABLE in Haiti in 1996, PALLADIUM ROTO 5, 9, 10 and 14 in Bosnia from 1998 to 2003, PRUDENCE in the Central African Republic in 1999, TORRENT in Turkey in 1999, TOUCAN in East Timor in 1999 and HESTIA in Haiti following the earthquake 2010.

5 CER was also heavily involved in Afghanistan, among other things on Operation ATHENA in 2003, 2007 and 2009 during Canada's participation in the International Security and Assistance Force.