The requirement to build infrastructure in "lawless" areas exists in many places around the world today.
There is a Canadian historical pretext. British Royal Engineers were given the task of building the road into the Cariboo in the 1850's-60's. This supplied a British presence, a uniformed Government presence, an armed entity capable of legitimately using lethal force in self-defence and supplied infrastructure supporting trade, communication, settlement and the movement of Government forces to dominate the line of communication and the Interior. This forestalled American involvement during the Gold Rush period.
Similar rationale could probably be ascribed to the Mounties (what would nowadays be described as a Paramilitary Police Force similar to the Carabinieri and la Gendarmerie rather than a Civil Police Force like the modern RCMP or a true military force like the US Cavalry of the day) and the deployment of the Railways.
Armed and Armoured Aid Workers if you like.
Please note - before I get my head taken off, I am not advocating that ALL Engineers should do NOTHING but this type of work, nor am I advocating this as the sole role for the Canadian Forces.
I still want an army and I still like "Tanks, Tanks, Tanks".
I am just wondering out loud whether or not this a useful role and whether it would be a role that Engineers in particular and the CF in general could support.
Cheers.