LFWA was created on 1 September 1991, taking command of what was previously Prairie Militia Area, Pacific Militia Area, and the Regular Force Army units and formations in western Canada from the northern lakehead region of Ontario to the Pacific Ocean.

[3] Later that decade, the four reserve force districts were again reorganized into three Canadian Brigade Groups.

With this change of name, the formation was also granted the identifying patch and historical lineage to the division that fought in the two world wars.

There were also five units are under direct command of LFWA that did not operate under the brigade or area support groups.

The units forming the brigade group are from the province of Alberta, as well as a company based out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.