Welcome Package for the Deputy Minister of National Defence - January 2026 - Supplemental

Defence Industrial Strategy

• Canada is firmly committed to strengthening its defence industrial base and renewing its relationship with industry. We are prepared to support the sector and launch a revitalized and mutually beneficial partnership with domestic industry.
• The Defence Industrial Strategy will make defence investments more coordinated by improving how government and industry work together. It will support all of Canada’s defence sector using a network of partners at home and abroad.
• More importantly, the Defence Industrial Strategy will deliver a modern defence industrial base that provides critical capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces and its Allies, while also driving innovation, investment, good paying jobs and economic growth for all Canadians.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Meeting Defence Spending Target of 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• Canada will rapidly increase defence spending by over $9 billion in cash this year (FY 2025-26) to bring our defence spending to 2% of our GDP this fiscal year.
• The Government will protect Canada’s sovereignty by rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. We will be investing in operational readiness, new and emerging military capabilities, a strong defence industrial base, and stronger defence partnerships.
• To deliver on our plan, we are making foundational investments in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), expanding and enhancing existing and emerging military capabilities, strengthening Canada’s relationship with the defence industry and diversifying our defence partnerships.
• This is a generational investment in defending Canada and Canadians, which is foundational to Canada’s continued prosperity and ability to act as a leader on the global stage.

NATO Defence Investment Pledge (5% of GDP)

• In June, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies agreed to a new Defence Investment Pledge of investing 5% of annual GDP by 2035 for our individual and collective security. The commitment aligns with Canada’s own strategic defence and security goals.
• As part of this 5% pledge, Canada will invest 3.5% of GDP for core military capabilities, expanding on our recent investments. That means further investments in our Canadian Armed Forces, modernizing our military equipment and technology, building up Canada’s defence industries, and diversifying our defence partnerships.
• An additional 1.5% of GDP will be dedicated to investments in critical infrastructure and other defence-related expenditures such as new airports, ports, telecommunication, emergency preparedness systems, and other dual-use investments which serve defence as well as civilian readiness. Importantly, the progress of this pledge will be reviewed in 2029 to ensure Allies’ expenditures align with the global security landscape.

NATO Deterrence and Defence

• A credible NATO deterrence and defence posture is essential to safeguard the freedom and security of all its member states, and the Alliance must be ready to adapt and overcome current and future challenges.
• Canada is unwavering in its commitment to NATO. This is why Canada supports and actively participates in the development of deterrence and defence initiatives.
• In this work we must continually seek to avoid unintended escalation.
• Canada’s investment domestically and to North American defence, including by modernizing North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), are key contributions to strengthening NATO’s Western Flank. It will ensure that we can deploy forces from North America in support of Allies and partners during a crisis or conflict.

NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASOE) / Climate Change and Security

• The NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) opened its doors in October 2023 in Montreal.
• It exemplifies Canada’s leadership in NATO’s efforts to address the security impacts of climate change.
• As an Arctic nation, Canada contributes unique perspectives and best practices on climate change and security, including the essential perspectives of Indigenous communities.
• Climate change is a defining challenge for NATO and the global community, with significant implications for Canada’s foreign, defence and security interests, from the practical to the geostrategic.

NATO and Cyber

• At the request of our Latvian Allies, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), in collaboration with the Communication Security Establishment, has been strengthening Latvia’s cyber defence capabilities by deploying a persistent Cyber Task Force to Riga to conduct bilateral defence cyber operations on Latvian government and non-government critical infrastructure since 2022.
• This close partnership with Latvia enables the CAF to gain significant combined operational experience in the cyber domain, strengthen Latvia’s cyber defence capability, bolster NATO cyber resilience and contribute to NATO strategic deterrence.

Venezuela

• The Government of Canada is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela and remains in contact with relevant partners.
• Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously.
• Any other questions on this situation should be directed to Global Affairs Canada.

Greenland

• As stressed by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark, including Greenland, which must be respected in accordance with international law.
• Canada will continue to work with Denmark, Greenland, the United States and other partners to fulfil our shared responsibility for the security and resilience of the Arctic.
• Any other questions on this topic should be directed to Global Affairs Canada.

Defence Mobilization

• Initial planning has begun to explore how the CAF could contribute to greater national resilience, including leveraging increased readiness from an expanded Reserve Force for defence purposes, in times of crisis, or for natural disasters for example. Participation in an expanded Reserve Force would be entirely voluntary.
• The initial planning direction is an internal document that simply formalizes the initiation of planning efforts. Additional work is underway, building on this initial analysis, to inform future proposals. There has been no policy change and no plan has been developed at this time.

Procurement

Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP)

• Canada has already taken steps towards the acquisition of the initial tranche of 16 F-35A aircraft, with first deliveries expected to begin in 2026. The first eight aircraft will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, to support training for Canadian pilots. In parallel, design of the Fighter Squadron Facilities is progressing, and we are preparing the sites in Bagotville, Quebec. and Cold Lake, Alberta.
• The Future Fighter Capability Project is expected to generate economic outcomes for the related in-service support and aerospace systems and components sectors. There are over 36 Canadian companies who have secured opportunities on production.
• As of January 2025, over 100 companies in Canada have secured production contracts valued at $3.3 billion USD. As of March 2025, every F-35 that leaves the production line contains $2.1 million USD worth of Canadian components.
• Canadian industry will also have sustainment opportunities related to the Canadian and global F-35 fleet of more than 3,500 aircraft. Opportunities are expected in areas such as airframe and engine depots, training, warehousing, supply management, and in maintenance of components over the life of the fleet.

F-35 Review

• The review of the F-35 procurement is still ongoing as Canada continues to consider the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, our defence industrial strategy and work to ensure maximum economic benefits for Canadian business and workers.
• Canada will take the time we need to get this decision right.

F35 / United States Control

• Canada will own and operate its CF‑35A aircraft and will control how they are used. As a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program, Canada benefits from the Global Support Solution (GSS)—a shared system supported by 13 NATO countries and six non‑NATO countries that already fly or plan to fly the F‑35.
• The GSS brings together government, industry, and international partners to share spare parts and keep F‑35s operating worldwide.
• The U.S. government owns and manages F-35 spare parts only until they are installed on another country’s aircraft. At that point, ownership transfers to that country. Although the U.S. manages the consolidated global spare parts pool for all F-35 customers, with parts stored at multiple locations worldwide, Canada and Canadian industry will operate within the GSS support arrangements to meet unique sovereign requirements.
• Hardware and software upgrades are coordinated by the F-35 Joint Program Office in consultation with all participants under the Joint Strike Fighter Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Memorandum of Understanding. Upgrades developed under this framework are available to all F-35 Partner nations that contributed to their development, without limitations.
• Software updates to the aircraft and various sensors on the F-35 are identified, prioritized, and voted on by F-35 Partner nations (including Canada). This collaborative approach prevents any single user from exerting control over the process or dictating operational requirements. Additionally, Canada, along with other Joint Strike Fighter Partner nations, has control over certain critical software components. Canada participates in the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL), which develops mission data to support operations anywhere in the world.

CF-18s and Fighter Pilots

• The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fighter force is continuously recruiting, training, and releasing pilots through normal attrition. The RCAF has seen an increase in fighter pilot retention. With changes to the approach to training, the RCAF has also seen an increase in fighter pilot generation. Overall, fighter pilot numbers have been increasing and are expected to continue improving.
• As the RCAF prepares to transition from the CF-18 to the F-35, work is ongoing to meet appropriate fighter staffing levels. To do this, the RCAF is implementing recruitment, training, and retention strategies that include providing paid education opportunities at aviation colleges and attracting recruits with previous military experience.
• To support retention efforts, the Canadian Armed Forces recently finished implementing a new pilot pay scale. This approach better compensates pilots based on their experience and qualifications.
• The CAF recruitment advertising campaigns elevate national awareness and deliver targeted engagement with Canadians and Permanent Residents aged 18-34 to attract talent into priority and hard-to-fill regular and reserve force occupations.

Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP)

• Submarines provide a unique combination of stealth, persistence, and lethality that enable the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to detect, track, deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries in the oceans surrounding Canada.
• We are renewing its submarine fleet to enable the RCN to project a persistent deterrent along our North, East and West coasts, with under-ice capable submarines.
• The current submarine fleet has an operational service life into the mid-to late 2030s. For a smooth transition between classes without a capability gap, the RCN requires its first new submarine to be delivered no later than 2035.
• The next fleet of submarines must meet a three-ocean requirement. The fleet will be capable of conducting operations in the Indo-Pacific region, executing NATO missions in the North Atlantic, and enduring sustained operations in the high Arctic.
• On August 26, 2025, the Government of Canada identified German company TKMS and Republic of Korea company Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (Hanwha) as the two qualified suppliers for the (CPSP). As the current global environment continues to evolve, the CPSP is an opportunity to diversify Canada’s defence partnerships and collaborate with allies.
• This decision was informed by a thorough assessment of Canada’s requirements, including construction and delivery timelines, for the new submarine fleet. Canada also engaged with other governments and militaries to exchange lessons learned, and to gain insights into their respective submarine acquisitions, infrastructure, and sustainment programs.

Northern Operational Support Hubs

• Climate, geopolitical, economic and technological change are making Canada’s Arctic and its approaches more accessible to a wide range of actors.
• This will increase demand for the to conduct Arctic and Northern operations, including for sovereignty, emergency response, and search and rescue.
• The Northern Operational Support Hubs will establish scalable capabilities that can be quickly activated to support northern operations. This includes investing in multi-use infrastructure that also meets the needs of the territories, Indigenous peoples, and Northern communities where possible.
• Northern Operational Support Hubs will increase the CAF’s responsiveness across the Canadian Arctic and North and allow for a greater year-round military presence.
• The Defence Team will work closely with our federal colleagues and other partners, rightsholders and stakeholders to support a strategic approach to infrastructure development.

River-class Destroyers (RCD)

• The River-class Destroyer (RCD) project will create warships that will be built right here in Canada by Canadians.
• The River-class destroyers are being developed to replace the capabilities of both the retired Iroquois-class destroyers (4 ships) and the Halifax-class frigates (12 ships) with a single, modern and effective platform, capable of meeting a diverse range of threats in multiple environments: in open oceans and along the coasts.
• The RCDs will form the core combat power of the future fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). Together with the Joint Support Ships and the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, the RCDs will strengthen the surface capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces to detect, deter and defend against threats to our national and international security.
• Building the RCDs is the most complex shipbuilding initiative in Canada since the Second World War, and underscores Canada’s commitment to equipping the RCN with next-generation capabilities to safeguard our sovereignty and secure our waters, as well as revitalizing our shipbuilding industry.
• The RCD Implementation contract is estimated to contribute $719.3 million annually to Canada’s GDP and create/maintain 5,250 jobs (directly and indirectly) annually between 2025 and 2039. In addition, the consumer spending by associated employees is estimated to contribute $191 million annually in additional GDP and support 1,545 additional jobs annually to the Canadian economy during the same 15-year period.
• The build and delivery of the first batch of 3 RCDs, initial spares, training, maintenance and logistics support products required to support the ships in service, ammunition and contractor fees associated with ship build and delivery is estimated at $22.2 billion.

Joint Support Ships (JSS)

• The Joint Support Ships (JSS), to be known as the Protecteur-class, will surpass many of the operational capabilities of the Royal Canadian Navy’s former Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessels. By replenishing fuel, food, ammunition, spare parts and other supplies, as well as carrying two maritime helicopters to provide limited sealift and combat support, the JSS will support Naval Task Groups to deploy and remain at sea for extended periods of time.
• In addition to strengthening the future operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the JSS project directly supports the revitalization of Canada’s shipbuilding industry—a priority of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Through the NSS, Canada is developing the expertise and industrial base to maintain defence capabilities domestically and preparing to capitalize on maritime export opportunities.
• The first JSS was successfully launched on December 22, 2024, at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards. Delivery of the ships to the RCN has incurred incremental delays while the shipyard develops best-building practices. At the end of September 2025, the Government of Canada received a revised construction and delivery timeline from the shipyard which is presently under review. Each ship is expected to be operational within one year of delivery to the Royal Canadian Navy.

Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS)

• Canada has acquired six Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). These new patrol ships will operate in the Arctic between June and October, providing a greater presence by the Canadian Armed Forces in the North.
• The AOPS are capable of breaking through new and first-year ice and have anti-icing features to protect the ships’ equipment in the Arctic, enabling the RCN to maintain a presence and surveillance of our northern maritime approaches and to navigate, unescorted, previously inaccessible areas of the Arctic.
• The AOPS are contributing to coastal surveillance, search and rescue, drug interdiction, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations, and can integrate with a range of international partners.
• All six ships have been delivered to the RCN, and the first ship, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Harry De Wolf, has already circumnavigated North America, including a transit through the Northwest Passage.

Arctic & Polar Over the Horizon Radars (OTHR)

• The Defence Team is moving quickly to enable the rapid development and deployment of Canada’s Arctic-Over-the-Horizon Radar system, to be based in Southern Ontario, as part of its commitment to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) modernization.
• A-OTHR will provide early warning radar coverage from the Canada-United States border to the Arctic Circle, strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces and NORAD’s awareness of potential threats.
• In partnership with Indigenous and local communities, up to four sites will be selected in the Southern Ontario region to house the Arctic OTHR system’s transmitters and receivers. Further details on locations will be shared as the concept is refined.
• Canada intends to work with the Government of Australia to further develop OTHR technology in support of the A-OTHR project and will work closely with the United States for the interoperability of Canadian and U.S. solutions to strengthen domain awareness in North America’s approaches.
• Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is also conducting research and development in support of Polar Over The Horizon Radar (P-OTHR), now known as “North Watch”. This will extend surveillance coverage for early threat identification and warning into the northernmost approaches to North America.

Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM)

• This new fleet of light and heavy logistics vehicles, trailers, vehicle modules, and armour protection kits will be used to transport larger loads of personnel, equipment, and supplies, as well as interchangeable modules that can be used as mobile command posts or workshops.
• Two contracts, with the potential total value of over $2.5 billion for the acquisition and long-term in-service support for up to 25 years, were awarded in May 2024 to General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada and Marshall Canada, in a joint venture. Delivery is expected to begin in fall 2027.
• On December 10, 2025, additional option quantities valued at $532.8 million were awarded under the acquisition contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Marshall Canada.
• This project is expected to support 1,550 jobs on an annual basis and generate over $200 million a year in economic activity across Canada.

Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV)

• The Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) project is providing 360 armoured support vehicles to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
• The new fleet is being procured through a $2.1 billion (taxes included) contract with General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C). Over 150 vehicles have been delivered to the CAF as of January 2026.
• General Dynamics will make investments into the Canadian economy equal to the value of the contract. 1,650 jobs will be supported annually at GDLS-C and approximately 8,500 across Canada over the 2019-2028 period.

Procuring from United States firms

• Canada is diversifying its defence partnerships. We will continue to leverage partnerships with the United States when it is in the country’s best interest to do so. Canada is considering all options to diversify equipment/components for its fleets so that it is not reliant on any one source of defence equipment.

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Recruitment and Retention

• Last year, we enrolled 7,389 new members, up from 4,867 the previous year. The CAF is committed to achieving its recruiting goal of 7,612 Regular Force members for fiscal year 2025-26.
• Our North, Strong and Free commits to modernizing CAF recruitment to rebuild the military by 2032. We are working hard to close the gap and are now projecting achieving our target of authorized strength of 71.5K Regular Force by March 31, 2029.
• The recruiting process is complex, involving medical assessments, reliability screening and suitability interviews.
• Current efforts are focused on using digital technology to improve the applicant experience, speed up required screenings, and connect with new pools of applicants.
• The CAF is coordinating with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to share information and expedite military service for Permanent Residents, while exploring options for them to serve in a probationary period as they wait to be approved.

Continental Defence

U.S. Defence Relations

• The Defence Team has a long history of training and operating alongside the United States (U.S.) military in support of Allies and partners, on the continent and abroad.
• Canada works with the Pentagon to address strategic competition with China and Russia, and other defence and security challenges whenever it is in the Canadian interest to do so.
• Increased defence investments through Our North, Strong and Free and our North American Aerospace Defense Command modernization plan will shore up North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s s western flank and ensure Canada has a secure base from which to deploy.
• While these investments are first and foremost about ensuring Canada has the necessary capabilities to defend itself and protect our sovereign interests, they will also provide further opportunities for Canada to advance common interests with our Allies and be a strong and reliable partner.

Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD)

• Our North, Strong and Free commits to further improving Canadian Integrated Air and Missile Defence, including by acquiring a fleet of airborne early warning aircraft, deployable maritime sensors, drones and counter-drone capabilities, and long-range missiles capabilities.
• We are also exploring options for ground-based air defence systems to defend critical infrastructure.

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Modernization

• In June 2022, the Minister of National Defence announced Canada’s plan to invest of $38.6 billion (accrual) over twenty years to modernize NORAD.
• These investments will allow for modernized surveillance, communications, and command and control capabilities, new air weapon systems, and upgraded infrastructure across the country.
• Joint Canada-U.S. efforts to modernize NORAD’s capabilities will help meet evolving security challenges, reinforce the close cooperation between both countries, and further solidify NORAD’s central role defending North America from aerospace threats.
• We are also investing in science and technology to future-proof our capabilities to defend North America.
• Through Our North, Strong and Free, Canada is also investing in Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and maritime sensors, which will further support NORAD’s mission set and expand our awareness of potential threats.
• Progress so far includes collaboration with U.S. on Over-the-Horizon-Radar (OTHR) and other domain awareness solutions, binational work on NORAD Cloud-Based Command and Control, and the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) contract announced in July 2023.
• We are also engaging Northern partners on significant upgrades to our Northern infrastructure to support NORAD operations.

Arctic Security

• Defending the Arctic and North and safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty in the region is a top priority for the Government of Canada.
• The Arctic is at an inflection point where climate change, economic interests, and geopolitical competition are coming together in a way that makes the region more strategically important than ever.
• The rapidly warming Arctic brings potential increased access to shipping routes, natural resources, and strategic footholds across the North, making the region more accessible to foreign actors who have growing capabilities and regional ambitions.
• Adversaries such as Russia and China are demonstrating a more assertive posture in the region and seeking to challenge the rules-based international order.
• Responding to these threats requires effective collaboration across all levels of government, with Northern and Indigenous partners, and among Allies and partners.
• Canada has made the Arctic the focal point of its defence strategy and we recognize the importance of doing more to detect, deter and defend against threats in the Arctic across all domains, and much more quickly.
• Canada is investing in new capabilities that will support the Defence Team’s northern presence, reach, mobility, and responsiveness. These include northern operational support hubs, airborne early warning and control aircraft, new cyber, space and satellite capabilities, specialized maritime sensors, under-ice capable submarines, ice-capable Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels, and more.
• Operation NANOOK, the Canadian Armed Forces’ signature Northern operation, aims to improve interoperability with Allies and partners and enhance pan-domain awareness.

Arctic Foreign Policy

• Global Affairs Canada released Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy in December 2024, which complements the initiatives outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free.
• The Arctic Foreign Policy outlines Canada’s diplomatic strategy for engagement in and on the Arctic, with the aim of continuing to safeguard our sovereignty and promote a stable, prosperous, and secure Arctic region.
• The Arctic Foreign Policy is composed of four foreign policy pillars: asserting Canada’s sovereignty, advancing Canada’s interests through pragmatic diplomacy; leadership on Arctic governance and multilateral challenges; and adopting a more inclusive approach to Arctic diplomacy.
  • A key strategic objective for Arctic security is strengthening cooperation and collaboration with domestic and international partners, including Indigenous communities, is key to Arctic security. While operating in the North and in Inuit Nunangat, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) works collaboratively with Northern Indigenous partners, including Inuit communities and leadership.
  • Building relationships with Inuit and Northern Indigenous communities helps the CAF understand Inuit Nunangat and the North and ensures that is it able to safeguard Arctic safety, security, and defence.
  • Local Inuit and Indigenous communities are at the forefront of safety and security in the Canadian Arctic and Northern regions. Their local experience and knowledge are unparalleled and are key in the planning of defence activities in the region.

Army Modernization

• The Canadian Army is undergoing a generational shift in how it is structured, equipped, trained, sustained, and integrated for major combat operations.
• The goal is to build a scalable, agile, and lethal force that is fully interoperable with partners and allies, and able to detect, deter and defeat threats across the full spectrum of operations.
• To achieve the Army’s modernization goals, its structure―which is currently based on four regional divisions and a training command―will be replaced with a mission-first, effect-driven model, consisting of the following four entities:
  • The Defence of Canada Division will be the homeland defence force and the foundation for national mobilization, ensuring a trained and equipped Army presence across the country.
  • The Manoeuvre Division, as the Army’s primary combat force, will be designed for rapid deployment and high-readiness operations.
  • The Support Division will be the backbone of Canadian Army base and institutional support with links to the national supply chain and defence industry initiatives.
  • The Training Division will deliver individual and collective soldier training, integrating modern tools like simulation and digital platforms.

Operation REASSURANCE/ Multinational Brigade Latvia

• Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s contribution to NATO’s deterrence and defence efforts and is Canada’s largest international military commitment involving the deployment of land, sea, and air elements to Europe.
• The Canadian-led Multinational Brigade-Latvia is a combat-capable, credible, robust response to the security environment on NATO’s Eastern flank.
• The Multinational Brigade-Latvia is comprised of approximately 3,000 Allied military personnel, including up to 2,200 persistently deployed Canadians.

Assistance to Ukraine

• Canada remains ready and willing to contribute to the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine’s just and lasting peace. We remain closely involved in military and political planning discussions alongside key allies and partners.
• Since February 2022, Canada has committed nearly $22 billion in overall multifaceted aid to Ukraine.
• Canada has committed more than $6.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since 2022. This includes critical equipment such as armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives, drone and counter drone capabilities, winter gear, and more.
• Previous donations include 8 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and an armoured recovery vehicle (ARV), a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), high-resolution cameras, satellite imagery and communications, and more.
• Canada will continue advancing its contributions to the Ukraine Defence Contact Group’s (UDCG) Armour, Drone, Air Force, and Information Technology Capability Coalitions, working closely with Allies and Ukraine to strengthen these key defence areas.
• Through Operation UNIFIER, launched in 2015, at the request of the Ukrainian government, the Canadian Armed Forces has trained over 47,000 members of the Security Forces of Ukraine (SFU), nearly 13,000 since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
• The Defence Team’s Military Training and Cooperation Program’s (MTCP) Capacity Building program provides $8 million annually to support Defence Institution Building and Defence Capacity Building initiatives in Ukraine.
• The UDCG is a forum of over 50 countries, including Canada that convenes routinely at the ministerial level to synchronize, consult, and coordinate military assistance donations to strengthen the capacity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)

• On September, 2025, the Canadian Coast Guard was transferred from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to the Department of National Defence, reporting to the Deputy Minister of National Defence and accountable to Parliament through the Minister of National Defence.
• The transfer strengthens operational cooperation between the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Armed Forces.
• The Canadian Coast Guard remains a separate, civilian, Special Operating Agency.
• This transfer also enables the use of Canadian Coast Guard assets – its ships, helicopters, sensors, operational centres – to support security activities.
• With its extensive fleet and experience on the water, the Canadian Coast Guard is well positioned to make a significant contribution to Canada’s security.

Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific Strategy

• As a Pacific nation, Canada is committed to promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• The region faces many challenges: the rise of authoritarian powers threatening democratic norms and principles; diplomatic, economic, and military coercion; the weaponization of trade; and the undermining of human rights and media freedom.
• Through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, we have increased our defence presence in the region, allowing for more engagement, cooperation, and collaboration with allies and partners.
• That includes the persistent deployment of three Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships per year in the region, increased Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) participation in regional and multinational exercises, tailored defence training, cyber defence cooperation, and more.
• These engagements directly support the promotion of peace, resilience, and stability in the region, and help uphold respect for international law.
• Operation HORIZON is Canada’s forward military presence mission to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and uphold respect for international law.
• As part of Operation HORIZON, the CAF conducts training, exercises, and engagements with foreign militaries and other international security partners.
• Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea.

China

• Canada is concerned with China’s actions regarding Taiwan, its efforts to further militarize the South China Sea and challenge navigation and overflight rights, which harm Canada’s national interests.
• China has demonstrated that, at times, it is willing to engage in coercive behaviour that challenges stability in the Indo-Pacific.
• Canada will challenge China as required, including when it engages in coercive behaviour or undermines our national security interests and those of partners in the region.
• After several years of extremely difficult relations, Canada is recalibrating relations with China in a pragmatic and constructive manner.
• We will cooperate with regional partners, and work towards greater dialogue with China to find solutions to global issues while protecting and preserving the international order based on the rule of law.

TAIWAN – Responsive Only

• Canada’s Taiwan Strait transits are a part of our routine naval activities in the region, including our warships sailing in the region between various ports and operating areas.
• Canadian Armed Forces operations re-affirm Canada’s commitment to maintaining the status quo across the Strait, in support of peace and stability in the region.

Latin America and Caribbean

Operation CARIBBE

• The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has provided support to Operation CARIBBE since 2006, a contribution to United States Enhanced Counternarcotics Operations under Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South).
• The Defence Team continuously review operational engagements to ensure they remain consistent with Canada’s legal obligations and strategic interests.
• On 19 January, HMCS Yellowknife will depart Halifax on Operation CARIBBE until mid-March.

Science and Technology

• Technology is reshaping global competition, and emerging capabilities are redefining the battlespace. Canada has a long history of leadership, recognized the world over for successful research and development in the defence space.
• Defence Research and Development Canada works with the Defence Team to anticipate future challenges and develop advanced solutions. It also works closely with allies and partners, industry, and Canada’s research community.
• In June 2025, the Government of Canada announced the initiation of the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS). This will strengthen Canada’s capability in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other critical fields shaping the future of defence.
• Working with like-minded partners and allies is vital to success. Partnerships strengthen Canada’s ability to innovate, adapt, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

Emerging and Disruptive Technologies

• Technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, quantum sensing and computing, and biotechnologies are impacting the nature of military operations and directly threatening economic security and measures to address climate change.
• Canada must rapidly pursue advancements in strategic critical technologies and integrate them into military capabilities. However, we must do so in a responsible, lawful and ethical manner.
• Maintaining technological superiority will necessitate increased investment in research security, protecting sensitive technology transfer and supply chains, and collaborating closely with industry and academia.
• The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) recognizes the increasing value of uncrewed systems like drones in improving the effectiveness of its Forces for missions such as intelligence, surveillance, combat operations, logistics, engineering, security, and much more.
• Uncrewed systems are already in use in the CAF, with multiple ongoing projects aiming to significantly accelerate their adoption.

International Cyber Security

• Malicious cyber activity and threats are a significant and persistent risk to Canada’s national security. These risks are intensified by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
• The Government of Canada has robust measures in place to protect our democracy and Canadians from malicious cyber activity. These measures are continually reviewed in the context of new and evolving threats.
• Our North, Strong and Free directed the Defence Team to expand their cyber capabilities, including through the creation of a Cyber Command and the establishment of a joint Canadian cyber operations capability. This entity will formalize the partnership between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Communication Security Establishment in the cyber domain.

Foreign Interference

• The Government of Canada has robust measures in place to protect our democracy and Canadians from foreign interference. These measures are continually reviewed in the context of new and evolving threats.
• Global Affairs Canada works closely with partners to ensure that our policies and activities are aligned, that we share lessons learned, and amplify joint approaches as they relate to foreign interference.
• Canada is well-resourced to be a world leader, alongside its Five Eyes partners, through work led by the Communications Security Establishment Canada, which plays a significant role with its capabilities in foreign intelligence, cyber security, active and defensive cyber operations, and technical and operational assistance to federal and international partners.
• Canada’s law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, are well positioned to combat foreign interference. These agencies leverage substantial tools and relationships, including with intelligence communities, at home and abroad, to address threats of foreign interference and national security.

Housing

• Housing affordability continues to be a challenge for many Canadians. Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members face the added challenge of relocation, often moving to communities with higher housing costs than the one they leave behind.
• The Government of Canada is investing to better support CAF members navigating housing challenges — removing housing as a barrier to service.
• Through Our North, Strong and Free and Budget 2024, more than $1.4 billion in capital funding is allocated to the Canadian Forces Housing Agency to build 1,400 new residential housing units across Canada and renovate 2,500 military housing units over the next 20 years. In addition to the upcoming CAF Housing Strategy, this sets a plan to modernize housing policies, increase supply, and better support CAF members and their families.
• Financial supports, such as the Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD), Separation Expense benefits, and limits on rental costs enable affordability and stability, particularly for CAF members posted to high-cost locations. In 2025, CFHD rates increased by more than 10% in 16 locations across Canada, helping CAF members keep pace with rising housing costs.
• CAF members’ compensation and benefits have evolved along with housing policies, so that service remains sustainable and rewarding. Modernized policies now include inclusive family definitions, updated priority rules favouring newer CAF members, and limits on occupancy costs for residential housing units.
• The Defence Team also continues to pursue alternative solutions, including targeted acquisitions of existing properties near bases and wings across Canada to quickly expand capacity, working with owners to create a supply of reserve market rental units, and co-housing agreements.

Women, Peace and Security (WPS)

• Canada continues to play a leadership role in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. We are committed to working with Allies to maintain a people-centered and gender-sensitive approach in NATO actions and activities.
• DND and the CAF recognize that armed conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises affect women and girls differently. As noted in Our North, Strong and Free, integrating gender perspectives in military operations and institutions strengthens the operational effectiveness of our forces.
• The Defence Team is committed to institutional change. Gender equality, gender-responsive operations, and increasing the meaningful participation of women in peace support operations are clear priorities for the future.
• On March 28, 2024, Canada released its third National Action Plan on WPS: Foundations of Peace: Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security – 2023 to 2029.The Action Plan and Defence Team Implementation Plan reflect Canada’s resolve to sustain its role as a global leader on WPS.

Conduct and Culture

Culture Change

• Creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace for all Defence Team members is our top priority. This means eliminating harassment, discrimination, and harmful behaviours at every level.
• Our goal is to build a more inclusive institution where all members of the Defence Team have a sense of belonging and feel empowered to contribute fully to our mandate. This work will make the entire Defence Team stronger and our military forces more operationally effective and combat ready.
• We are taking deliberate, coordinated actions across the organization to prevent and address misconduct, racism, biases, and systemic barriers, ensuring real and sustained progress.
• Culture change is incremental and requires a systemic, sustained, and continuous effort. We continue to listen and learn from Defence Team members, external stakeholders, and partners as we work toward building a safer and more inclusive work environment.
• Achieving measurable and enduring cultural change is critical to supporting Defence Team members and maintaining public confidence in our ability to deliver defence and security for Canadians.

Hateful Conduct

• Providing everyone who serves in the Canadian Armed Forces with a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace—free from harassment and discrimination—remains a top priority for the federal government and the Defence Team.
• We are taking deliberate and coordinated actions at all levels of the organization to eliminate misconduct, racism, discrimination, biases, harmful stereotypes, and systemic barriers.
• Hateful conduct is not tolerated in DND/CAF. Members are prohibited from participating in any activity or group that promotes hatred, violence, discrimination, or harassment. All allegations are taken seriously and acted upon.
• The DND/CAF Code of Values and Ethics is a condition of employment and service. Respecting the dignity of all persons and reflecting Canadian societal values are essential to maintaining operational effectiveness and public confidence.
• Diversity of thought and experience is vital in today’s security environment. Inclusion strengthens the Defence Team’s efficiency and operational effectiveness.

Military Justice Modernization Act (Bill C-11)

• In September 2025, the Minister of National Defence introduced An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts (Military Justice System Modernization Act).
• The proposed amendments respond directly to key recommendations made in independent and external reviews conducted by former Supreme Court Justices Louise Arbour and Morris J. Fish, reinforcing the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces continued commitment of a transparent and trusted system of military justice.
• The proposed legislation would remove CAF jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada.
• The proposed legislation seeks to change the appointment process for key military justice authorities (i.e. the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, the Director of Military Prosecutions, and the Director of Defence Counsel Services) to become Governor-in-Council appointments.
• This legislation also seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for military judges to include non-commissioned members, diversifying the pool of potential candidates. Combined, these amendments aim to bolster the trust and confidence of CAF members, Defence Team members and Canadians in the military justice system.
• This legislative proposal continues the constant evolution and modernization of the Military Justice System to meet the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) needs to maintain discipline, efficiency and morale.
• Bill C-11 is currently in study stage at the Standing Committee on National Defence.

January 2026

Key Engagements, Events and Recommended Travel

In Canada

• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Abroad

• NIL

Departmental Submissions

Treasury Board Submissions

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████

Cabinet Submissions

• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Key Announcements and Deliverables

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Operations and Renewals

• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Parliamentary Affairs

Appearances by National Defence Representatives

• Support the Review of Bill C-11, Military Justice System Modernization Act (Standing Committee on National Defence) — As early as 26 January

Government Responses and Reports

• Report of the Standing Committee on National Defence, Gaps to Fill: Housing and Other Needed Supports for Canadian Armed Forces Members and their Families — Anticipated tabling 26 January
• Report of the Standing Committee on National Defence, Rebuilding Trust: Transparency and Accountability in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces — Anticipated tabling 26 January

February 2026

Key Engagements, Events and Recommended Travel

In Canada

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████

Abroad

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Departmental Submissions

Treasury Board Submissions

• NIL

Cabinet Submissions

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Key Announcements and Deliverables

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Operations and Renewals

• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Parliamentary Affairs

Appearances by National Defence Representatives

• Operation of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Taiwan Strait (Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development) — 5 February
• MND Appearance (Senate Committee on National Security and Defence) — 9 February
• Supplementary Estimates (C) (Standing Committee on National Defence) — February TBC
• Appearances for two Auditor General Reports: Recruiting for Canada’s Military and Housing Canadian Armed Forces Members — TBC

Government Responses and Reports

• NIL

March 2026

Key Engagements, Events and Recommended Travel

In Canada

• ███████████████████████████████████████

Abroad

• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Departmental Submissions

Treasury Board Submissions

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Cabinet Submissions

• NIL

Key Announcements and Deliverables

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Operations and Renewals

• NIL

Parliamentary Affairs

Appearances by National Defence Representatives

• Main Estimates (Standing Committee on National Defence) — March TBC

Government Responses and Reports

• Canadian Armed Forces Pensions Plans Annual Report — To be tabled by 31 March

April 2026

Key Engagements, Events and Recommended Travel

In Canada

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Abroad

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Departmental Submissions

Treasury Board Submissions

• NIL

Cabinet Submissions

• NIL

Key Announcements and Deliverables

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Operations and Renewals

• NIL

Parliamentary Affairs

Appearances by National Defence Representatives

• NIL

Government Responses and Reports

• NIL

MND / DM / DMA / CDS Travel Calendar: January – April 2026

Events / Travel

First 100 days

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

February

• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

March

• ██████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

April

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Sitting Week; MND Travel; DM Travel; DMA Travel; CDS Travel; Holiday; Tentative

MND / DM / DMA / CDS Travel Calendar: May – August 2026

Events / Travel

May

• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

June

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████

July

• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████

August

• NIL

Sitting Week; MND Travel; DM Travel; DMA Travel; CDS Travel; Holiday; Tentative

MND / DM / DMA / CDS Travel Calendar: September – December 2026

Events / Travel

September

• NIL

October

• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

November

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

December

• NIL

Sitting Week; MND Travel; DM Travel; DMA Travel; CDS Travel; Holiday; Tentative

Overview of Canada’s Defence Policy Framework

Canada’s defence policy is founded on three enduring roles for the Defence Team

Canada’s 2024 defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF), outlines investments that provide the Defence Team with the tools and capacity they need to:

• defend Canada and assert Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic
• defend North America
• advance Canada’s global interests and values while contributing to international security around the world, particularly in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions

ONSAF

Strong at Home

• Maintain a military ready and able to defend Canada, assist Canadians, and respond whenever and wherever needed

Secure in North America

• Bolster our continental defences in partnerships with northern stakeholders, NORAD, and the United States

Engaged in the World

• Strengthen Canada’s contributions to a free and open, inclusive and stable international order, based on the rule of law

Defence policy is grounded in the threat environment and recognizes that the world has grown increasingly unstable and dangerous

A Changing World…

• The destabilizing impacts of climate change are increasing operational demands, and exposing our Arctic to new threats
• Possibility of conflict between major powers in critical regions of the world increases tension and risk
• New technologies have changed the character of conflict and complicate our national security interests

…Pulling Canada in Many Directions

• Defending Canada, the Arctic, and North America, in partnership with the US, remains our priority
• We must be ready to support our NATO Allies from a position of strength
• Stability and security of the Indo-Pacific will define Canada’s future prosperity and security

ONSAF places particular emphasis on defending the Arctic and its approaches – significantly improving Canadian Armed Forces awareness of threats, presence, mobility, reach and responsiveness across the region, and building striking power to deter adversaries and keep threats farther from our shores.

Our North, Strong and Free is focused on credible deterrence at home and in North America, with a particular emphasis on the Arctic and its approaches

Issues

A changing landscape, with increasing:

• Foreign commercial and military activity
• Foreign direct investment
• Espionage (sea and from space)
• Illegal shipping and fishing
• Climate change hazards to infrastructure and increasing operational demands
• Search and rescue

More interest from adversaries…

• China seeks to become a “polar great power” by 2030 and intends to play a larger role
• Russia continues to modernize and build up its military presence in their Arctic, investing in new bases and infrastructure

…and Allies and Partners

• US, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, UK are increasing their commitments to the Arctic

Key areas for investment:

• enforce our sovereignty
• control our waters and airspace, and manage our resources
• respond to natural disasters, search and rescue
• monitor and defend our territory

New investments deliver:

• Increased presence
• Enhanced reach in the North on land, sea, and in the air
• Improved communications and awareness across the region
• Better ability to respond to emergencies and disasters

Summary of initiatives in the North:

• A fleet of airborne early warning aircraft to detect, monitor and respond to incursions in our airspace
• A network of northern operational support hubs
• Underwater sensors to detect submarines and to conduct surveys of ocean floors
• A satellite ground station in the Arctic
• A more modern, mobile and effective tactical helicopter capability
• Submarines; new all-terrain vehicles adapted to snow, ice and tundra; and enabling the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships to operate helicopters at sea

It also commits to working with allies to defend the rules and principles that govern a peaceful and prosperous international order

Canada’s extensive relationships are a comparative advantage, and we will use this advantage to remain ahead of our adversaries.

Canada is committed to safeguarding an international system defined by freedom, openness, stability and the rule of law, by:

• Responding to climate change and its consequences for Canada’s sovereignty in our North
• Deterring aggression, wherever and whenever it emerges
• Addressing implications of the rapid evolution of technology.

Canada’s unique geography requires that we be capable of responding to threats across three regions: the Arctic, the Euro-Atlantic, and Indo-Pacific.

In partnership with our closest ally, Canada continues to modernize NORAD, and has invested $38.6B to ready NORAD for the 21st century.

Through Operation Reassurance, Canada works to deter Russia and defend NATO.

Under the Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada is committed to presence and engagement with its partners in the region, in order to confront China’s disruptive behavior.

Our North Strong and Free is part of an evolution of Canada’s defence policies and strategies

• 2017 Strong Secure Engaged +$553B cash over 20 years
• 2022 NORAD Modernisation +$87B cash over 20 years
• 2024 Our North Strong and Free +$104B cash over 20 years
• 2025 – 2% of GDP in 25/26 with a commitment to 5% by 2035
• Prime Minister commitment to update Canada’s defence policy to reflect both today’s and tomorrow’s threats, informed by experts and the experience of allies and partners, including Ukraine (June 2025)

Since 2017, defence policies and strategies have funded over $250B in new capabilities and infrastructure

SSE 2017 (Cash over 20 Years)

• F35 Fighter Jets × 88 ████████
• River Class Destroyers up to 15 ████████
• P8 Poseidon Multi-Mission Aircraft up to 16 ████████
• CC330 Husky Tanker Transport Aircraft × 9 ███████
• Light Armored Vehicles ████████
• 20 × Army Logistics Vehicle Projects ███████
• Special Operations Equipment ███████

NORAD MOD 2022 (20 Years)

• Northern Basing Infrastructure ████████
• F35 Fighter Jet Infrastructure ███████
• Modern Command & Control Info Systems ███████
• Enhanced Surveillance from Space ███████
• Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar ████████
• Long Range Air to Air Missiles ███████
• Polar Over the Horizon Radar ███████

ONSAF (20 Years)

• Tactical Helicopters ████████
• Renewing Defence Infrastructure ████████
• Halifax Frigate Sustainment ████████
• 30 Day Ammunition Supply ███████
• Airborne Early Warning Aircraft ███████
• Worldwide Satellite Comms ███████
• Northern Operational Support Hubs ███████

2% 2025 (20 Years)

• Arctic Over the Horizon Radar ████████
• Counter Drone Program ███████
• Land Long Range Precision Strike ███████
• Land Armored Vehicles ███████
• Joint Support Ships × 2 ████████
• Light Utility Vehicles ███████
• Ground Based Air Defence ███████

Overview of Defence Policy Pivot (DPP)

[Redacted]

Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Footprint

Caption

CAF Disposition

• Regular Force
• Reserve Force
• Canadian Rangers

CAF Military Installations

Caption

Legend

• Royal Canadian Navy
  • HMCS Cabot
• Canadian Army
  • CFB Edmonton
  • CFB Wainwright
  • CFB Suffield
  • CFB Shilo
  • CFB Esquimalt
  • CFB Bagotville
  • CFB Valcartier
  • CFB St-Jean
  • CFB Montreal
  • CFB Petawawa
  • CFB Borden
  • CFB Trenton
  • CFB Kingston
  • CFB Halifax
• Royal Canadian Air Force
  • CFS Alert / FOLs
  • Inuvik FOL
  • Yellowknife FOL
  • 4 Wing Cold Lake
  • 17 Wing Winnipeg
  • 19 Wing Comox
  • Iqaluit FOL
  • 5 Wing Goose Bay
  • 9 Wing Gander
  • 22 Wing North Bay
  • 16 Wing Borden
  • 1 Wing Kingston
  • 12 Wing Shearwater
  • 14 Wing Greenwood

North arrow

Scale 1:25,000,000

The Defence Team is comprised of CAF members and civilians of the Department of National Defence.

Represented in more than 3,000 communities across Canada, the CAF have a significant presence in every province and territory and an authorized strength of up to:

• 71,500 Regular Force
• 30,000 Primary Reserve Force
• 5,640 Canadian Rangers

And an actual strength of:

• 66,213 Regular Force
• 23,449 Primary Reserve
• 4,845 Canadian Rangers
• Approximately 3,000 Junior Canadian Rangers
• 5,885 Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service
• Approximately 60,000 Cadets

CAF Military Installations

Overview of Defence Public Servants

Caption

DND

Demographic Highlights

32,654 Public Servant Population

94% Indeterminate Employees

47.4 Average Age of Indeterminate Employees

29% Public Servants Working in the Commands (CA, RCAF, RCN)

11% Public Servants Currently Eligible to Retire

Employment Equity Representation

43% Women
Percentage of Goal Met: 93%

11% Visible Minorities Percentage of Goal Met: 57%

6% Persons with Disabilities Percentage of Goal Met: 46%

3% Indigenous Peoples Percentage of Goal Met: 92%

Public Servant Volatility

Entries: 10.2%
Exits: 7.5%
Promotions: 7.8%
Transfers: 4.6%

5-year rates (Indeterminate Tenure)

Map of Canada (Public Servant Distribution):

2,907 | 1,787 | 191 | 885 | 4,478 | 3,487 | 136 | 40 | 3,594 | 1,035 | 14,102 (NCR)

43% of Public Servants work in the NCR

L1 Representation

CMP: 4,897 | 15%
RCN: 4,289 | 13%
ADM (MAT): 3,947 | 12%
CA: 3,485 | 11%
ADM (IE): 3,319 | 10%

Representation of Top 5 Largest Classifications

AS: 7,059 public servants (22% of PS workforce)
CR: 3,124 public servants (10% of PS workforce)
IT: 2,881 public servants (9% of PS workforce)
GL: 2,343 public servants (7% of PS workforce)
GS: 2,272 public servants (7% of PS workforce)

Union

PSAC: 19,064 (58%)
PIPS: 7,714 (24%)
DTLC: 1,474 (5%)
CAPE: 1,020 (3%)
ACFO: 856 (3%)

Indeterminate term > 3 months

As of end of: December, 2025

State of the Canadian Armed Forces

[Redacted]

Canadian Armed Forces Key Fleets

^{Footnote 1}

Royal Canadian Navy

HALIFAX – CLASS
Multi-role frigate
(12 ships)

HARRY DEWOLF – CLASS
Arctic and offshore patrol vessel
(6 ships)

KINGSTON – CLASS
Maritime coastal defence vessel
(4 ships)

VICTORIA – CLASS
Patrol submarine
(4 submarines)

REPLENISHMENT CAPABILITY
(1 leased ship)

PROTECTEUR – CLASS
Auxiliary oiler replenishment vessel
(1/2 ships – Launched in December 2024 with anticipated delivery to DND Summer 2027)

Canadian Army

LEOPARD 2
Main battle tank
(72 vehicles)

LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLE 6
Infantry fighting vehicle
(545 vehicles)

TACTICAL ARMOURED PATROL VEHICLE
Wheeled combat vehicle
(478 vehicles)

MEDIUM SUPPORT VEHICLE SYSTEM
Medium-capacity logistics vehicle
(1,572 vehicles)

HEAVY LOGISTICS VEHICLE WHEELED
Heavyweight logistics vehicle
(614 vehicles)

M777 HOWITZER
Lightweight field artillery weapon
(614 units)

Royal Canadian Air Force

CF-188 HORNET
Multi-role fighter aircraft
(79 aircraft)

CP-140 AURORA
Long-range patrol aircraft
(10 aircraft)

CC-130J/H HERCULES
Long-range patrol aircraft
(17 CC-130J and 12 CC-130 H aircraft)

CC-177 GLOBEMASTER III
Strategic airlift transport
(5 aircraft)

H-148 CYCLONE
Maritime helicopter
(27 aircraft)

CH-146 GRIFFON
Tactical transport helicopter
(85 aircraft)

CH-147F CHINOOK
Multi-mission helicopter
(14 aircraft)

CC-295 KINGFISHER
Search and rescue aircraft
(15/16 aircraft)

CC-330 HUSKY
Strategic multi-role tanker transport
(5/9 aircraft)

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Continental Operations

NORAD HQ

Integrated Tactical Warning Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) - 24/7/365

Detect, track, monitor missiles launched anywhere in the world, and assess potential attack on North America.
If required, the engagement of ballistic missile threats is executed by the United States through USNORTHCOM.

Maritime Warning - 24/7/365

Process, assess, and disseminate intelligence to warn of maritime threats to, or attacks against North America utilizing mutual support arrangements with other commands and agencies in the US and Canada.

NORAD Operational Regions

State Actor Air Response - 24/7/365

Detect, track, identify, and intercept foreign military air incursions into the US Air Defense Identification Zone (blue line) and Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone (red line) using integrated US and Canadian air power from locations across North America.

NORAD forces routinely detect, track, identify, and intercept Russian military aircraft and, for the first time in 2024, PRC military aircraft.

Intercept and Safe Passage Escort - Routine

Demonstrate NORAD’s rapid response capability by conducting the intercept, safe passage escort and handoff procedures of friendly aircraft, such as USSTRATCOM aircraft.

Op NOBLE DEFENDER (OND) - Routine

Demonstrate NORAD’s ability to launch US and Canadian forces at a moment’s notice from dispersed locations and defend North America from any and all approaches.

Demonstrate integrated CANUS operations across the Arctic in Alaska, Canada, as well as Pituffik SFB in Greenland.

Op NOBLE EAGLE (ONE) - 24/7/365

Established following 9/11, provide proactive, and reactive, responses to aircraft which may pose a threat to North America.

ONE informs NORAD’s operational approach to protect major national/international events, such as the G7.

Canadian Armed Forces Conventional Operations

[Redacted]

Canadian Armed Forces Special Operations

[Redacted]

ADM(Mat) Budget
Spent to date: ████████████
Anticipated Year End Budget ██████^{Footnote 2} Overplanning

Capital Projects
Spent to date: ███████████
Budget: ██████

Fleet Sustainment & ISS
Spent to date: ███████████
Budget: █████

Other^{Footnote 3}
Spent to date: ███████████
Budget: █████

Capital Projects

Canadian Multi‑Mission Aircraft

• First CP8A aircraft delivery is scheduled for Fall 2027.
• RFI for Long‑term ISS occurred in Spring 2025. ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

River Class Destroyer

• Implementation contract for the build of the first three RCD ships, signed with Irving Shipbuilding Inc on 3 March 2025.
• Full Rate Production on ship 1 began 25 April 2025 and first ship delivery forecast 2032.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

Future Fighter Capability

• The first 8 CF35A are now in production.
• First delivery scheduled for Fall 2026 to Luke AFB, Arizona for Canadian pilot training. Infrastructure and site development work ongoing at Cold Lake and Bagotville.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

Joint Support Ship

• JSS 1 schedule is currently under review with sea trial shifting to 2026 with delivery now expected in mid 2027. JSS 2 is scheduled for delivery in 2027. Most structural consolidation of the ship will occur in 2025.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

Strategic Tanker Transport Capability

• Three CC330 Husky aircraft now located in Canada, two aircraft supporting RCAF operations, one aircraft available as a backup in ready‑for‑flight condition. First new CC330 MRTT now in conversion in Getafe, Spain with delivery to Canada in 2027.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

Fleet and Equipment Sustainment

Halifax Class Frigate

• The Halifax Class In‑Service Support Contracts ensures fleet readiness through maintenance, engineering support, and timely acquisition of spare parts.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

Victoria Class Submarines

• Victoria Class In‑Service Support Contracts (VISS) for maintenance, repair, overhaul, and platform integration.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

CH‑148 Cyclone

• The Cyclone In‑Service Support Contracts ensures fleet readiness through maintenance, engineering support, and timely acquisition of spare parts.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

CH‑149 Cormorant

• The In‑Service Support Contract ensures mission readiness through comprehensive maintenance and support while the helicopters undergo a mid‑life upgrade.
  Actuals: ███████████
  2025–26 Budget: █████

█████████████████████

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████
  ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
  ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ███████████████████████████
  ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
  ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ████████████████████████████████
  ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
  ██████████████████████████████████████████████████

High Visibility Projects / Initiatives

Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A‑OTHR)

█████
████████████████
█████████████████████████
█████████████████████
███

• Ultra‑long‑range surveillance of Canada’s northern approaches about airborne threats.
• Stage 1 Minimal Viable Product installed by December 2029.
• A‑OTHR Program does not have an Initial Operational Capability. December 2029 could be considered as an Initial Capability. Between 2029 and 2043 the A‑OTHR Program next stages will be implemented in an iterative manner.
• Full Operational Capability by 2043.

Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space (DESSP)

█████
████████████████
████████████████████████
███████████████████████
█████

• Satellite system designed to support global intelligence collection while concentrating on monitoring maritime approaches to Canada ███████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████
  ███████████████████████████████
  █████████████████████████████
  █████████████████████████
  ███████████████████████

Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar (ESCP‑P)

████████
████████████████
████████████████████████
████████████████████
████

• Dedicated, secure and resilient military satellite communications system addressing current limited communication capabilities in the Arctic above 65°N latitude, enabling real‑time situational awareness, decision‑making, and improved command and control.
• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• █████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

██████████████████████████

███████
████████████████
███████████████████████
█████████████████
██

• ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████
• ██████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

Capital Project Portfolio

██████████████████████████

Identification ████████

• Evolved Crypto Capability – Radio ████████
• RCAF Air Weapons Coverage Expansion ███████
• Intelligence Mission Data ███████
• Worldwide Satellite Communications – Protected MILSATCOM Strategic ████████
• Worldwide Satellite Communications – Protected MILSATCOM Tactical ████████
• Worldwide Satellite Communications – Wideband ███████
• Key Management Infrastructure – Hardening ██████
• Modernized Command and Control Information System
• Worldwide Satellite Communications – Narrowband
• North Watch (formerly P‑OTHR)

Options Analysis █████████

• Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar █████████
• Science and Technology Enhanced Research Capability ████████
• Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space ████████
• DEFENCEx ███████
• Cyber Operations Training Eco‑System ███████
• Evolved Crypto Capability – Telecommunications ███████
• Strategic Radio Capability ████████
• System of Training and Operational Readiness Modernization ███████
• Military Pay Solution ████████
• Secure C2 Mobile Device – Secure Tailored Solution ██████

Definition ███████

• Automatic Identification Technology ███████
• IT Infrastructure in Support of Command & Control ███████
• Cyber Defence – Decision, Analysis, & Response ███████
• Identity, Credential & Access Management ███████
• Naval Communications Modernization ███████
• Surveillance of Space II ███████
• Electronic Health Record Platform ███████
• Alpha Defence X ███████
• Network Command & Control ██████
• Defence Cryptographic Mod Omnibus Project ██████
• Meridian Standard
• Arctic Over the Horizon Radar ██████████

Implementation ███████

• Secure Radio Modernization ███████
• Secure Radio ███████
• Tactical Narrowband SATCOM Geosynchronous ███████
• Classified Security Management Infrastructure ██████
• CF Electronic Warfare Support Project ██████
• Advanced Cryptographic Capabilities ██████
• Medium Earth Orbit Search and Rescue ██████
• Search and Rescue Mission Management System Replacement ██████
• Digital Biometrics Collection & Identity Management █████
• Agave Gold

Summary

Overview of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to rebuild and modernize Canada’s defence industrial base so it can better equip the Canadian Armed Forces, while maximizing growth, job creation and economic benefits for Canadians.

Background

• Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) sets out the Government’s plan to rebuild Canada’s sovereign defence industrial base so that it can better equip the CAF, support Allies, and generate economic benefits for Canadians.
• The DIS responds to a more dangerous and competitive global security environment in which advanced technologies – such as AI, quantum, space, cyber, and autonomous systems – are increasingly central to modern warfare and deterrence.
• Budget 2025 committed $6.6 billion over five years to launch the initial investments – the “Early Moves” – of the DIS.
• The DIS public document developed by the Department of National Defence (DND) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is tentatively scheduled to be released in mid-February 2026.

Considerations

Engagement with Industry and Canadians

• Industry engagement has been a priority in the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy with engagements with over 2,000 Canadian industry representatives, from Small Medium Businesses to Prime Contractors. These engagements served to identify issues with the relationship between the Government of Canada and the private sector.
• Six roundtables were conducted between the Minister of National Defence and major industry primes to discuss how industry and government can better collaborate on critical CAF capabilities, such as Land Systems, Shipbuilding, Aerospace, C4ISR, Ecosystem Support, and Venture Capital.
• The Department has conducted extensive Federal-Provincial-Territorial engagement, with meetings, roundtables, and regional visits. Collaboration with Other Government Departments has developed strong cross-departmental relationships, to allow for coordination on DIS priorities. Departmental officials also had strong representation at a variety of domestic and international tradeshows.
• Meetings and long-term engagement planning with a variety of post-secondary institutions and academics has also provided critical insights as to how the DIS can support the development of a strong Canadian workforce, and the broader development of Canada’s Defence Industrial Base.
• These engagements were collated into a broader "What-we-heard" report, which directly informed the development of the DIS, ensuring that future GoC – industry collaboration is better placed to deliver capabilities into the hands of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Public DIS

• The current draft of the DIS was developed jointly by DND and ISED in close consultation with other government departments. The strategy is anchored around five pillars:
  • Renewing our Relationship with Industry
  • The Defence Investment Agency & “Build-Partner-Buy”
  • Investing Purposefully to Strengthen an Innovative Canadian Defence Sector
  • Securing Supply chains for Key Inputs and Goods
  • Working with Key Domestic Partners, including in Canada’s North and Arctic
• The Defence Investment Agency (DIA) is positioned as the central delivery vehicle of the DIS, with a mandate to align procurement with industrial policy, accelerate capability delivery, and better connect the CAF with industry.
• The DIS frames defence investments as both a national security imperative and economic opportunity – linking military readiness to job creation, innovation, and industrial growth across Canada.
• The Strategy identifies sovereign capabilities that are critical for the CAF to defend Canada, including space, quantum, AI, munitions or digital capabilities. The document also highlights the importance of key assets like critical minerals, and underscores the Government’s intent to build strategic partnerships.

DIS Early Moves

• Even though the DIS is not yet published, the Government already announced a first set of initiatives to deliver capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces and position Canada’s industrial base for long-term growth. These investments are laying the foundation for the success of the DIS and are key to the Government’s efforts to reach 2% of Gross Domestic Product in defence spending in fiscal year 2025-26.
• Investments announced to date include:
  • $68.2 million over three years to establish the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS). BOREALIS will accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities for defence, reduce barriers to commercialization, and align investments with mission-critical capability gaps.
  • $1.0 billion to establish a Defence Platform at the Business Development Bank of Canada to provide loans, venture capital, and advisory services to help small-and medium-sized businesses contribute to Canada’s defence and security capabilities.
  • $656.9 million over five years to develop and commercialize dual civilian-military technologies in key industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, biodefence, and life sciences.
  • $334.3 million over five years to support Canada’s quantum industry and provide pathways to technology adoption in defence-related applications and industries (this includes $92 million over two years for the launch of Phase 1 of the Canadian Quantum Champions Program to anchor top Canadian quantum companies and talent at home).
  • $443.0 million over five years to support the development of innovative critical minerals processing technologies, support joint investments with Allies in Canadian critical minerals projects and develop a critical mineral stockpiling mechanism to strengthen Canadian and Allied national security.
  • $182.6 million over three years to support space launch capabilities and rocketry research and development.
    • This includes $25 million this fiscal year for IDEAS challenge to accelerate the advancement of Canadian-designed space launch technology to enable the launch of Canadian payloads from Canadian soil.
  • $528.5 million in funding for the Canadian Space Agency to contribute – on behalf of Canada - to the European Space Agency through the Canada-ESA Cooperation Agreement. This contribution will advance research and development of Canadian-made space technologies for civilian and defence purposes.
  • $357M over 3 years to the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) for the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) to support Canadian businesses and organizations looking to grow their capacity, innovate, or adapt products and services to supply the defence sector.
  • $244.2 million over three years for the Defence Industry Assist program to provide funding and advice to high-potential, innovative Canadian Small and Medium Enterprises to advance made-in-Canada defence and dual-use technologies.
• A full list and description of initial DIS initiatives can be found in the Early Moves placemat.

Defence Industrial Strategy Initial Investments

Sovereign Capabilities

Space Launch (DND)

• This initiative will support the rapid development of domestic space launch infrastructure in Canada. Investments will help reduce Canada’s dependence on foreign countries to get critical space capabilities into orbit, and will directly support Canadian innovators solving defence and security challenges.

Rocketry R&D (DND)

• This initiative will invest in the research and development of space rocketry technology (materials, propulsion systems) to produce space launch capability, and will leverage the expertise of Canadian innovators in industry and academia.

Research and Development

BOREALIS (DND/CSE/NRC)

• This initiative will create BOREALIS to advance cutting-edge technologies that support the CAF with made-in-Canada solutions, positioning Canada as a leader in defence and security innovation.

Dual-Use Space Technology Development (CSA)

• This initiative is designed to help retain and grow Canadian industrial capacity to develop advanced dual-use space capabilities that are essential to Canada’s defence and security requirements. Canadian companies will be able to be awarded contracts across a variety of strategically important dual-use space technologies.

Dual-Use Technology Development & Commercialization (ISED/NRC)

• This initiative will support the development and commercialization of defence and dual-use technologies. It will leverage existing programs within ISED and NRC to invest funds to bring more Canadian-made innovation to the CAF.This initiative will establish the Canadian Quantum Champions Program to support supply chains, R&D, talent, and adoption of quantum technologies in defence applications.

Quantum Response to DARPA QBI (ISED/NRC)

• This initiative will help establish the Canadian Quantum Champions Program. The program will help anchor quantum technologies in Canada by providing funding, building a robust supply chain, offering access to R&D and expertise, and supporting early application and adoption in defence-related applications and industries.

Quantum Ecosystem Support (ISED/NRC)

• Together with the Quantum Response to DARPA initiative, this initiative will make significant investments across the entire spectrum of research and development, talent cultivation, and commercialization to develop a thriving Canadian quantum ecosystem.

Aerospace Technology Demonstration Platform (NRC)

• This initiative will serve as a cornerstone for advancing innovation and airborne defence capability development within Canada’s ecosystem through cutting-edge research, testing, and demonstration of emerging technologies.

Defence Industry Assist (NRC)

• This initiative will provide funding and advisory services to SMEs developing priority defence and dual-use technologies. These efforts will support high-potential and innovative firms across Canada that are developing technologically innovative products and services that can help meet the needs of the CAF.

Drone Innovation Hub (NRC)

• This initiative will establish a national Drone Innovation Hub (DIH) to support the acceleration of drone innovation in Canada. It will create a coordinated national ecosystem that connects government, industry, and academia to advance drone and counter-drone technologies and help equip the CAF in a key area of modern warfare.

Financial Support for the Industry

BDC Defence Fund (ISED)

• Funding to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for a defence fund to support businesses in Canada’s defence industrial base. This fund will allow the BDC to expand and deepen its financing, venture capital investment and advisory services to businesses that help strengthen Canada’s defence and security capabilities.

Infrastructure in the North

Nuclear Energy (NRCan)

• The Government of Canada will be conducting a feasibility study that will assess the potential use of microreactors (a category of small modular nuclear reactor), to supply heat and electricity for remote and Northern DND and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) facilities and operations.

Supply Chains

Critical Mineral Processing (ISED/NRCan)

• This initiative will support research, development, and processing activities that advance secure and sustainable supply chains. It focuses on accelerating innovation, building domestic capacity in rare earth magnets and amorphous steel, and enabling the production of materials essential to defence.

Critical Mineral Stockpiling (NRCan)

• The Government will create a mechanism to expand the production, buying, stockpiling, and selling of critical minerals essential for national defence purposes. This initiative will provide, as a first step, enhanced market intelligence, analysis and advice that will be foundational to informing critical mineral stockpiling.

Investments in Supply Chain Development (RDAs)

• This initiative will support the integration of businesses into defence supply chains; increase the innovation and production capacity of businesses; and support business that produce dual use technology to supply the defence sector. This investment will build a robust defence industrial ecosystem, while bolstering regional economic benefit.

Nitrocellulose (DND)

• This initiative will support production capability in Canada by providing funding to construct and deliver an operational nitrocellulose production facility by 2030.

Export Promotion

Defence Export Promotion Strategy (GAC)

• This initiative will develop and invest in a Defence Export Promotion Strategy. The objectives of the Strategy will be to increase Canada’s overall defence exports, to expand existing and create new markets for Canadian exports and support the overall growth and sustainability of Canada’s defence industrial base.

Enhanced Presence at Airshows (ISED)

• This initiative will support and increased Government of Canada presence at the next Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) in July 2026 and the next Paris Air Show (PAS) in June 2027, the world’s largest aerospace trade events.

CFMWS – Serving those who serve

January 2026

About Us

We provide morale and welfare support to the CAF

Mandated by DND/CAF and through the Non-Public Property (NPP) framework, we contribute to operational readiness and CAF Reconstitution.

We are a purpose-built social enterprise

All our profits are invested into programs and services to benefit CAF members, Veterans and their families.

We are member and employee-centric

Our employees understand our members. We contribute to their self-reliance, resilience and readiness by improving their mental, social, physical, financial and family wellbeing.

We contribute to a larger vision

We work lockstep with DND and other government partners to contribute to the larger Defence mission and other Government of Canada objectives.

Mission, Vision, Values

Mission

To improve the military community’s resilience and well-being through the design, delivery and evaluation of wellness enhancing offerings to contribute towards operational readiness, recruitment & retention of the CAF.

Vision

Improving lives around the world.

• Mental
• Social
• Physical
• Financial
• Family

Values

We Care: We put our people first, we care for our members, our community.

One Team: We are one team, we have each others backs and get it done together for our members.

Integrity: We act with integrity and strive to do the right thing, we say what we mean and do what we say.

Creative: We constantly look for new ideas and find creative ways to provide our members with the best possible experience.

Throughout this presentation, the term military community refers to the CAF community that CFMWS serves:

• Regular and Reserve Force
• Veterans
• CAF families

Our Value Proposition

Our employees are passionate, driven, invested and proud to be serving those who serve. They are dedicated to the CAF and delivering programs and services designed to create vibrancy and a sense of belonging regardless of the location.

CFMWS provides a unique value proposition for the Government of Canada where, through a social enterprise model, we reinvest our profits back into programs and services that enhance the resilience of the Defence and Security community by improving our members’ health and wellbeing.

Our Divisions

We are a purpose-built social enterprise. We help Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families build self‑reliance, resilience and readiness. Their mental, social, physical, familial and financial wellbeing is our overarching priority.

Our Staff

CFMWS employs the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces (SNPF, CF) and uses the NPP accountability framework to control and deliver the programs in a unique social enterprise business model that not only creates real value for the CAF community but also reinvests back into health and wellness programs, which strengthen our members and their communities.

As a separate employer—defined in Schedule V of the FAA—SNPF, CF has the flexibility to manage the workforce to deliver services that meet our members’ changing needs.

Full Time: 2,403
Part Time: 644
Casual: 1,531
LOA/LTD: 236
Unionized: 1,102

Financial Administration Act (FAA) Schedule V, Separate Agency is the foundation of SNPF, CF.

Assigned to MND by two Orders-in-Council to allow for employee collective bargaining.

Treasury Board is not the employer.

SNPF, CF employees are not part of DND / CAF.

FAA Section 11 – Legislate powers of a Deputy Head to CEOs of Separate Agencies.

MND Order authorizes the CDS to exercise or perform the Ministerial powers or functions that are vested in the MND for the SNPF, CF.

Acting as the MND in this regard and using an SNPF, CF employment contract, the CDS recruited the CEO SNPF, CF to fulfill all SNPF, CF employer responsibilities. The CEO SNPF, CF is an SNPF, CF employee.

CEO SNPF, CF creates and administers the conditions of employment for all SNPF, CF jobs, both managerial and unionized (HR Pol). This includes recruiting, compensation / benefits, job classification and conflict management.

SNPF, CF has its own Pension Plan, governed by the Pension Committee that is appointed by the CEO SNPF, CF. The plan is externally administered.

SNPF, CF is subject to the CLP Part II, CHRA, OL Act, ATI and Privacy Acts and certain other federal legislation.

By Division

• CANEX: 11%
• SISIP Financial: 4%
• Military Family Services: 5%
• Personnel Support Programs: 69%
• Corporate Support Divisions: 11%

Our locations

Our programs

We strengthen our members, so they are ready to serve Canada

• Physical fitness and injury prevention
• Participatory and/or competitive sport at local, regional, national and international levels, both inside and outside CAF
• Canadian Armed Forces Human Performance
• Health promotion

We enable our members’ financial wellbeing

• Insurance
• No-fee banking, savings and investment plans
• Financial planning and counselling

We provide opportunities for social connection and for adventure

• Recreation programs for adults and kids
• Messes, community clubs, campgrounds and other leisure activities
• Discounted travel opportunities, quick-service restaurants and everyday discounts
• Retail goods, services, savings and rewards through CANEX and its partners
• Discounts with other retail and travel partners across the globe

We support families

• Virtual Counselors available 24/7
• Military and Veteran family services across Canada, in the US and Europe
• Specialized support, including help with relationships, grief, moving, dealing with illness and injury, stress management and transitioning to civilian life

Our value to DND/CAF

1. We deliver publicly-mandated and publicly- funded programs such as military fitness, sports, health promotion, financial counselling and military family services, on behalf of CAF and DND.
2. We generate revenue through CANEX, SISIP Financial, and PSP Recreation and Leisure to deliver services tailored to community needs.

How we do it

• Through full alignment with CAF strategic direction. (e.g., Reconstitution, CAF Offer, SSE, BALANCE).
• By addressing systemic challenges, such as Seamless Canada.

Our value to our members

1. We deliver programs that strengthen the mental, social, physical and financial wellness of CAF members, Veterans and their families.
2. We generate revenue to deliver services tailored to community needs through CANEX, SISIP Financial, and PSP Recreation and Leisure, and return a portion of these profits to local Base/Wing funds to further support members.

Our 2024-27 Strategic Plan

Strategic Imperatives

• Achieve sustainable revenue sources.
• Improve quality of CFMWS experience.
• Increase operational efficiencies.
• Improve employee experience.

CFMWS Strategic Plan 2024–2027

• Strategic Goal – What we want to achieve: By 2027, we will achieve financial sustainability, and year-over-year profitability for all programs and services delivered within the non-public property framework.
• Foundation – What we are built upon: A-PS-110 MODERNIZATION
• Strategic Imperatives – What our core game plan will be:
  • Achieve Sustainable Revenue Sources
  • Improve Quality of CFMWS Experience
  • Increase Operational Efficiencies
  • Improve Employee Experience
• Tier 1 Measures – How success will be measured:
  • Net Income
  • Net Promoter Score
  • Operating Costs
  • Employee Engagement Score
• Objectives – Where will we focus resources:
  • Confirm sustainability & value proposition
  • Evaluate & implement monetization opportunities
  • Develop Digital Transformation Roadmap & implement priority technology activities
  • Evaluate & reassess Service Delivery Framework
  • Rationalize delivery of public programs
  • Rationalize delivery of non- public programs for net profitability
  • Develop integrated infrastructure plan & prioritize for investment
  • Conduct core process review & prioritize for reengineering
  • Realign business practices & functional authorities
  • Develop Future Strategic Workforce Plans
  • Implement Enterprise Data Analytics & Info Management Program
  • Implement Talent Management Strategy
  • Implement Digital People Management System
  • Implement Workplace Wellness Programs
  • Implement Total Rewards Programs

The Connection

• CFMWS Strategic Imperatives + CDS Priorities = Improve the CAF Community’s Resilience and Wellbeing through the design, delivery and evaluation of wellness enhancing offerings to contribute towards operational readiness, recruitment & retention of the CAF.
  • Improve the Quality of the CFMWS Experience
  • Improve Employee Experience
  • Increase Operational Efficiencies
  • Achieve Sustainable Revenue Sources
  • Supporting Our People
  • Advancing Professionalism
  • Enhancing Capabilities
  • Operational Readiness

About NPP

• National Defence Act (ss 2, 38-41) is the foundation for Non-Public Property.
• NPP is vested in the CDS and Unit COs (NDA ss 38, 39).
• NPP is subject to MND direction (NDA s 41)
• NPP is not subject to the FAA (NDA s 41)
• CDS owns NPP accountability framework.
• Audited by ADM(RS) and the private sector.
• The NPP Oversight and Advisory Board (OAB) is a Crown NPP administrative construct created by the CDS. Not legislated, has no fiduciary authority and acts as an advisory committee (like AFC).
• The MD NPP acts on behalf of the CDS within DOAs established by the CDS and reports directly to the CDS.
• Delegation of Authority last update – May 2023

Governance Committees

Sources of Funding and CFMWS Expenditures (FY 2024-2025)

Program offerings

• Fitness
• Sports
• Health Promotion
• Recreation, Leisure & Special Interest Activities
• Human Performance Research & Development
• Soldier On
• Deployment Support
• Op Santa
• Messes
• CAF Newspapers
• Sponsorship & national event planning support
• Fitness and Sports Leadership Quals
• Mental Health Support
• Emergency Family Care
• Access To Health Care
• Spousal Employment
• Community Integration
• Relocation Support
• Workplace Absence Support
• Transition Support
• Education (Guidance Counselling)
• Special Needs Of Loved Ones
• Second Language Training
• Bereavement Support
• National and community strategic partnerships

SISP Financial

Our services

Insurance Protection

• Life Insurance
• General Officers’ Insurance
• Critical Illness Protection
• Travel Insurance

Investing

• Investment Portfolios
• TFSA, RRSP, RESP, FHSA

Financial Planning

• Pension Expertise
• CAF Release Planning
• Estate Planning
• Deployments and Moves
• Education

Credit Counselling

• Budgeting, Managing Debt
• Grants and Loans
• Creditor Protection, Bankruptcy

Financial Education

• Briefings and Webinars
• Learning Portal

CANEX

Products and services

• Retail Services
  • 35 CANEX stores
  • Wholesale - Alcohol, Tobacco, Beverage, HABA
• E-Commerce
  • CANEX.ca
  • 3rd Party Fulfilment Program
  • BOPIS (Buy Online Pick-up In-Store)
• Affinity Partners
  • BMO
  • The Personal Insurance
  • CANEX Home Heating Program
• Concessions & Additional Services
  • 135+ Concessions: Barber shops/salons, Food Services/Financial Services, Health, Personal & Professional Services
  • 75+ Local Partners
  • 500+ vending machines
  • 75+ATMs
  • Seasonal food trucks
  • Self-serve CANEX micro markets
• Programs
  • CANEX No Interest Credit Plan
  • CANEX Rewards
  • CF One Member Appreciation
  • CANEX Price Match

Support Divisions

Human Resources

• Recruitment and Onboarding
• Learning and Development
• Talent Management and Performance
• Total Rewards (Compensation & Benefits)
• Payroll
• Workplace Wellness
• Labour Relations & Collective Bargaining
• Legislated Programs (Occupational Health and Safety, Official Languages, Diversity & Inclusion)
• Centre for Conflict Resolution and Ethics

Finance

Programs:

• Canadian Forces Central Fund (CFCF) Banking
• CFCF investment and treasury (grants and loans)
• CAF NPP Accounting System - PROPHET (Business Owner)
• Consolidated Insurance Program (CIP)
• Oversight of NPP Corporate Cards
• Debit/e-transfer/Credit Card Payment Solutions

Activities:

• NPP Accounting Services
• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Compliance and Assurance Reviews
• NPP Governance - Command Support
• Stewardship (Bases/Wings/Units (Reg and Res))
• NPP Financial Policies and Directives (Including CDS Financial Delegation of Authority for NPP)

Information Services

• Management, operation and support of the Non-Public Property Network
  • NPP Network
  • On-premises and Cloud Infrastructure
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • Technology Procurement, Contracting and Vendor Management
• NPP Network User Support
• Capital IM/IT Portfolio management
  • Business Analysis
  • Project management and implementation
• Technology leadership and Innovation

Corporate Services

• Corporate Counsel and Legal Services
• Corporate Secretariat
• Administration Services
• ATIP
• NPP Real Property and Environment
• QCC Management
• Contracting
• Travel Services

Current Issues

• Federal Real Property Prioritization

Marketing & Communications

• Marketing
• Employee and Member Communications
• Media and Public Relations
• Issues management
• Translation Services
• Social Media
• Brand & Creative
• Member Customer Service
• Business Operations
• Website Management

Current Issues and Concerns

• A‐PS‐110 Modernization
• SISIP
  • Reinsurance Funding Agreement (RFA).
  • CAF Long‐Term Disability. Salary After Release (SAR) and modernization
• Child Care
• MFRC Governance

CFMWS. Invested in your life.

Winter 2026

CSE within Canada’s Current National Security Apparatus

• Canada’s security and intelligence community defends the safety and security of Canada’s territory, government, economy, and people, and provides insights to promote and protect Canadian interests.
• The national security apparatus works to:
  • Produce intelligence
  • Assess key issues and events
  • Reduce threats
  • Build resilience
  • Screen people and investments for security concerns
• Intelligence and law enforcement agencies work together along with a range of departments and with international partners.

CSE’s Role Is To

• Collect and report on foreign intelligence in line with the Government of Canada intelligence priorities.
• Provide cyber security, information assurance/secure communications for the Government of Canada, as well as guidance and services to help protect systems of importance to the Government of Canada.
• Take action online through foreign cyber operations to disrupt and degrade foreign threat actors and activities in support of Canadian international affairs, defence and security, and to defend systems of importance to the Government of Canada.
• Provide technical and operational assistance to federal law enforcement and security agencies, including DND/CAF.
• Lead the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, which offers cyber security advice to external stakeholders and the public.

CSE’s Mandate

• Our mandate is defined in the Communications Security Establishment Act (CSE Act), enacted in 2019.
• As Minister of National Defence, you play a direct role in determining how CSE operationalizes its mandate by issuing Ministerial Authorizations, Orders and Directives that help give effect to CSE’s statutory authorities.
• CSE is explicitly prohibited from directing its activities at Canadians anywhere in the world, or at any person in Canada.
• CSE’s activities are subject to independent oversight by the Intelligence Commissioner (IC) and retroactive review by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP).

Delivering the Mandate: Foreign Intelligence objectives

• CSE acquires and analyzes electronic information to detect and inform the Government of Canada on activities of foreign entities that seek to undermine Canada’s national security and prosperity. Our foreign intelligence also provides insights with an information advantage to Canadian policy makers.
• CSE’s intelligence reporting offers:
  • Unique insights into, and advance warning of foreign threats to Canada to prevent surprises that could harm Canadians, Canadian institutions, or allies;
  • Unique insights to support foreign and economic policy and decision-making; and
  • Information to support trade, economic security, law enforcement and military operations by providing information that goes far beyond public sources.

Intelligence Cycle

• Intelligence priorities are set by Cabinet and further refined into intelligence requirements
• CSE collects foreign signals (emails, phone calls)
• CSE analyzes signals and produces foreign intelligence reports
• CSE disseminates intelligence reports to domestic and international clients and partners
• CSE collaborates with international partners to provide a larger intelligence picture
• Intelligence reports inform Canada’s decision making and help identify new intelligence gaps

Delivering the Mandate: Foreign Intelligence — Measures and Mechanisms

• In 2024/2025, CSE provided 2,878 reports to 3,016 clients from 32 federal departments and agencies.
• Reports can only be read by authorized users across the Government of Canada and the Five Eyes. Robust mechanisms ensure this information is shared safely:
  • Electronic dissemination
    • Reports are shared via Canada’s Top-Secret Network (CTSN) – run by CSE and used to collaborate and communicate at the Top-Secret level.
  • Client Relations Officers (CROs)
    • CSE employees embedded across the Government of Canada who deliver intelligence reports to authorized users, such as Cabinet ministers.
  • SIGINT Dissemination Officers (SDOs)
    • Employees of other Government of Canada departments who are accredited by CSE to share intelligence reports with authorized clients within their departments.
• Guided by the Government of Canada’s priorities, topics include:
  • hostile state activity (e.g. cyber threat activity, espionage, foreign interference and malign influence, counterintelligence, and intellectual property theft);
  • terrorism and violent extremism;
  • People’s Republic of China actions and intent;
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine;
  • Arctic sovereignty; and
  • Border security.

Delivering the Mandate: Cyber Security

• CSE’s Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) provides advice, guidance and services to help defend Canada against cyber threats and foster a stronger, more resilient cyberspace in Canada.
• The Cyber Centre:
  • Defends federal government networks – for example by deploying sensors on endpoint devices (e.g. servers, laptops) that automatically detect malicious activity like malware to defend against threats.
  • Leads Canada’s federal response to cyber security events.
  • Provides a unified source of expert advice, guidance, services, and support on cyber security and threat assessments for Canadians and Canadian organizations.
  • Works in collaboration with all levels of government, the private sector, industry, academia, critical infrastructure, and international partners.
  • Supports cyber resilience in Canadian research, economic and investment activities.

Delivering the Mandate: Information Assurance

• CSE is responsible for information assurance, known as Communications Security (COMSEC) for the Government of Canada — a fundamental part of cyber security which protects sensitive information and prevents our information from being accessed by adversaries, using encryption which:
  • Converts data into unreadable code, accessible only with keys — a strong defence against cyber threats
  • Helps verify that data has not been altered during transmission
  • Enables trust and confidence among stakeholders, partners and the public.
• As the backbone of information security, encryption enables the military equipment to identify 'friend or foe' and keeps national security operations and cabinet deliberations safe from breaches.
• At the nexus of COMSEC, CSE:
  • Provides the Government of Canada and some industry partners with secure hardware, software and cryptographic keys;
  • Works with federal and international partners to ensure rigorous cryptography standards; and
  • Is working to prepare for the emergence of quantum computers — which could break encryption and may be available as early as the 2030s.

Delivering the Mandate: Foreign Cyber Operations

In 2023, CSE used DCO capabilities against a foreign ransomware group that was targeting multiple Canadian critical infrastructure organizations.

The Cyber Centre worked to mitigate the compromise within Canada, while the foreign cyber operations team acted in cyberspace to interfere with the cybercriminals’ foreign servers, thus reducing the effectiveness and profitability of their activities.

• CSE can take action online in support of Canada’s international affairs, defence, and security, and to defend federal systems and systems of importance to the Government of Canada.
• As Minister of National Defence, you authorize CSE to conduct Active and Defensive Cyber Operations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs must be consulted for defensive cyber operations and must consent to active cyber operations.
• Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) disrupt foreign activities aimed at federal institutions and systems of importance (e.g. energy grids, telecoms networks, healthcare databases, banking systems). For example, CSE could prevent cyber criminals from stealing information from a Government of Canada network by disabling their foreign server.
• Active Cyber Operations (ACO) are proactive actions to disrupt foreign based threats to Canada’s defence, security, or international affairs. For example, CSE used active cyber operations to counter foreign groups in their dissemination of violent extremism materials online.
• The CAF and CSE have a longstanding partnership in developing advanced technical and specialized capabilities for providing intelligence to support military operations. Over the last decade, the partnership has evolved to include collaboration in the areas of cybersecurity, and defensive and active cyber operations. Through CAFCYBERCOM, CSE continues to conduct joint cyber operations with the CAF to support their mission objectives.
• Cyber operations must not:
  • target Canadians or anyone in Canada
  • interfere with the course of justice
  • interfere with the course of democracy
  • cause death or bodily harm

Delivering the Mandate: Technical and Operational Assistance

• As Canada’s national cyber security and foreign intelligence agency, CSE has unique technical and operational capabilities that can help other federal organizations keep Canadians safe and secure.
• CSE is authorized to assist:
  • Federal law enforcement and security agencies:
    • Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
    • Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
    • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
  • Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
• When assisting federal partners, CSE acts under their legal authority (e.g. judicial warrants).
• In 2024/25, CSE provided assistance to 51 requests from federal partners.

Implementing Recent Defence Investments

• In June 2025 the Prime Minister committed to increase Canada’s defence spending to meet current NATO targets of 2% annual GDP in 2025/26 and further committed to NATO’s new Defence Investment Pledged to dedicate 5% of annual GDP by 2035.
• As part of these announcements, CSE will receive up to $8.3 billion over five years, beginning in 2025-26, to modernise and secure digital infrastructure that will deliver resilient Canadian solutions to safeguard the country’s most sensitive information, communications, and operations. These efforts include:

Investing in Infrastructure

Ensuring Canada’s classified community can share information with the right people at the right time.

Investing in Cryptography

Developing Canada’s sovereign, cryptographic capabilities through partnerships with research and industry.

Investing in technology

Providing digital capabilities that are future proof and capable for the challenges of the future.

Investing in Artificial Intelligence

Partnering with Canadian AI companies to implement leading-edge technologies.

Collaboration in Action: Synchronizing CSE’s Mandate

• CSE’s cyber security, foreign intelligence and cyber operations mandates work together to achieve a range of outcomes that benefit Canadians.
• Having one agency carry out this full mandate provides CSE and Canada with unique advantages.

Cyber Incident

A Canadian critical infrastructure organization reports a ransomware attack to the Cyber Centre.

Cyber Security (Digital Forensics)

The Cyber Centre’s incident response team identifies a prominent ransomware group as the culprit.

Foreign Intelligence

CSE gathers foreign signals intelligence on the ransomware group and advises several government clients, as well as senior leadership. This intelligence is also used to enable cyber operations and cyber resilience.

Foreign Cyber Operations

CSE and Five Eyes partners conduct cyber operations to disrupt the group and deter future incidents.

Cyber Security (Cyber Resilience)

The Cyber Centre uses digital forensics and foreign intelligence to improve Canada’s cyber resilience and cyber defence. They also provide advice and guidance to critical infrastructure to help them defend against future attacks.

Collaboration in Action: FIVE EYES Partnership

• CSE is a proud and valuable member of the Five Eyes, the world’s longest-standing and closest intelligence-sharing alliance.
• The Five Eyes is a key element in Canada’s intelligence and security landscape, providing a strategic advantage in understanding and responding to global events.
• This enduring partnership continues to deliver results that make the citizens of all five nations safer by:
  • Sharing foreign intelligence;
  • Supporting joint foreign cyber operations;
  • Ensuring interoperability and redundancy of systems;
  • Conducting classified research of strategic importance; and
  • Communicating threats and guidance jointly.
• This partnership adds weight to public communications when Five Eyes speak as one voice. On joint publications regarding topics like cybercrime, AI, and threats to critical infrastructure, the message is amplified.
• While CSE maintains deep and longstanding partnerships with our Five Eyes partners, these relationships are governed by clear mandates, operational boundaries, and oversight and review mechanisms that ensure Canadian autonomy is preserved at every level.

Collaboration in Action: Beyond the Five Eyes

• CSE maintains long standing partnerships outside the Five Eyes, with key international allies. Working closely with domestic and international partners, CSE leverages its mandate to identify threats, defend against them and take action to disrupt the activities of malicious foreign actors. For example:
  • To enhance Arctic Sovereignty, CSE works with international allies to provide foreign intelligence and advance partnerships in areas such as cyber defence, economic security and countering foreign interference.
  • In support of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s ongoing unjustifiable invasion, CSE shared our file triage and malware analysis platform with the Ukrainian Forces, providing the same in-depth malware discovery services that are used to protect Government of Canada networks.
  • Alongside NATO allies, CSE contributes to deterrence against Russia, by engaging in efforts to secure critical infrastructure, and enhance partner capacity with cyber security counterparts, including Latvia.
  • CSE is a key contributor to the development of international advisories, guidance, and recommendations in partnership with key European and Indo-Pacific partners (e.g., Estonia, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands), to improve civil societies’ and industry partners’ awareness of and resilience to state-sponsored cyber threats.

How we accomplish our mission

At CSE, our people are our greatest strength. Our workforce is made up of dedicated individuals who draw from their diverse skillsets, backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to protect our country, 24/7.

The complex problems we face require a wide range of perspectives, skills, and mindsets to tackle them, and this means increasing representation at all levels in the organization is a top priority.

With over 3,800 employees, CSE’s workforce is comprised of a wide range of specialists who are dedicated to keeping Canada and Canadians safe.

We are a thought leader and pathfinder in emerging digital and cyber technologies, with a research program focused on quantum cryptography, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.

Innovation and agility are fundamental to how we execute our mission and increasingly represent the key to our future.

We operate within a robust oversight and review system and uphold our culture of compliance, lawfulness, and transparency in the conduct of our mandate to maintain the trust and confidence of Canadians.

We deliver to protect Canadians, defend Canadian values and reinforce Canada’s role as a trusted partner on the world stage.

CSE’s Organizational Structure