In Canada, a regiment is placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle when the need for the regiment's existence is no longer relevant. When placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle, a regiment is considered "virtually disbanded", and will only be reformed should the need be dire. The Supplementary Order of Battle was instituted as an alternative to outright disbandment during the army rationalizations of the 1960s. If a regiment is re-manned and moved from the Supplementary Order of Battle, it will take its old place in the order of precedence and its colours, traditions, and battle honours will remain as if there had been no interruption of service.
In the aftermath of the Somalia Affair in 1995, The Canadian Airborne Regiment was completely disbanded and not placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle.
On September 5, 2008, the Defence Minister, Peter MacKay, announced that The Halifax Rifles (RCAC) would be reorganized as an active unit. This was the first and so far only regiment to be reactivated to the Primary Reserve from the Supplementary Order of Battle. Two other regiments have been removed from the Supplementary Reserve by amalgamating them with Primary Reserve units: the Irish Fusiliers of Canada (The Vancouver Regiment) merged into the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) in 2002 and the 19th Alberta Dragoons merged into the South Alberta Light Horse in 2006.