From the Minister

As Minister of National Defence, I respectfully present to Parliament this 2020-21 Departmental Plan. The plan’s focus is on the work the Defence team will do in the year ahead to serve Canada.

Our women and men in uniform operate in a complex global security environment. The initiatives in Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada's Defence Policy^{Footnote i} allow the Defence team to anticipate new challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and act with the right capabilities to defend Canada and support international security and stability.

Canadians expect our military personnel to have the necessary care, capabilities and skills needed to complete their missions, both at home and abroad. Since the launch of the defence policy in 2017, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have made significant progress on building a stronger and more resilient military — from providing better services for our people to investing in needed equipment and infrastructure. In fact, as of November 2019, 70 percent of capital projects included in the defence policy were in the implementation or close-out phase. We will continue to work on a whole of government approach to ensure that our procurement is delivered on time with greater transparency for Canadians. As we advance these necessary projects this year, we expect a number of deliveries and new programs that will further improve our support for the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Canada cannot be an island of stability in an ocean of turmoil. Eventually negative ripples will reach our shores. If we are to remain secure at home, we must contribute to peace and stability abroad. Canada’s defence policy positions us to do that. We recognize the importance of our relationship with the United States and our ongoing work together to protect our shared continent through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Our plan also shows our commitment to NATO by working with our partners and allies across Europe and the Middle East. Our plan highlights the value we place on multilateral cooperation with allies and partners for a more peaceful world, including through United Nations peace operations.

As defence challenges evolve, so do the Defence team’s efforts to address them. Over the coming year the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces will continue the essential work that Canadians expect of them. I invite Canadians to read this Departmental Plan to learn about how we will continue to keep Canada strong at home, secure in North America, and engaged in the world.