Founded in 1971 by David Grimes, David Jaeger, Larry Lake and James Montgomery,[1] it is the oldest continuously active live-electronic performing group in the world.

[4] The ensemble has also appeared in concerts with the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Since 1974 the CEE has presented an annual concert series in Toronto.

[1] Since 1985 Lake has served as the CEE's Artistic Director.

The ensemble's other current members are Jaeger, Montgomery, Paul Stillwell, Rose Bolton, John Farah, and David Sutherland.