Corporate Information
Organizational profile
Appropriate minister: The Honourable Anita Anand, PC, MP
Associate minister: The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, PC, MP
Institutional head: Bill Matthews, Deputy Minister
Chief of the Defence Staff: General Wayne D. Eyre, CMM, MSC, CD
Ministerial portfolio:
- Department of National Defence
- Canadian Armed Forces
- National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman
- Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition
- Office of the Chief Military Judge
- Defence Research and Development Canada
- Communications Security Establishment
- Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada
- Military Grievances External Review Committee
Enabling instruments:
- National Defence Act
- Communications Security Establishment Act
- Emergencies Act
- Aeronautics Act
- Fisheries Act
For further information, see Legislation and National Defence.
Year of incorporation / commencement: 1923
For additional corporate information visit the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces website.
Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do
Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces’ website.
Information on the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces’ mandate letter commitments is available in the Minister’s mandate letter.
Operating context
Information on the operating context is available on the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces’ website.
Reporting framework
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' approved departmental results framework and program inventory for 2023-24 are as follows.
Core Responsibility | Operations | ||||
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Description | Detect, deter and defend against threats to or attacks on Canada. Assist civil authorities and law enforcement, including counter-terrorism, in support of national security, domestic disasters or major emergencies, and conduct search and rescue operations. Detect, deter and defend against threats to or attacks on North America in partnership with the United States, including through NORAD. Lead and/or contribute forces to NATO and coalition efforts to deter and defeat adversaries, including terrorists, to support global stability. Lead and/or contribute to international peace operations and stabilization missions with the United Nations, NATO and other multilateral partners. Engage in capacity building to support the security of other nations and their ability to contribute to security and the security of Canadians abroad. Assist civil authorities and non-governmental partners in responding to international and domestic disasters or major emergencies. |
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Results and Indicators | Canadians are protected against threats to and attacks on Canada
|
People in distress receive effective search and rescue response
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Canada's Arctic sovereignty is preserved and safeguarded
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North America is defended against threats and attacks
|
Canadian Armed Forces contribute to a more stable and peaceful world
|
Program Inventory |
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Core Responsibility | Ready Forces | |
---|---|---|
Description | Field combat ready forces able to succeed in an unpredictable and complex security environment in the conduct of concurrent operations associated with all mandated missions. |
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Results and Indicators | Canadian Armed Forces are ready to conduct concurrent operations
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Military equipment is ready for training and operations
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Program Inventory |
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Core Responsibility | Defence Team | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | Recruit, develop and support an agile and diverse Defence team, within a healthy workplace free from harmful behaviour; support military families; and meet the needs of all retiring military personnel, including the ill and injured. Strengthen Canadian communities by investing in youth. |
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Results and Indicators | Canadian Armed Forces is growing towards its end state of 101,500 personnel
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The health and well-being of the Defence team is well supported
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The Defence team reflects the values and diversity of Canadian society
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Military families are supported and resilient
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Youth in Canada are provided with experience and opportunities that enable a successful transition to adulthood
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Program Inventory |
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Core Responsibility | Future Force Design | |
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Description | Develop and design the future force through a deep understanding of the future operating environment and security risks to Canada and Canadian interests. Enhance Defence's ability to identify, prevent, adapt and respond to a wide range of contingencies through collaborative innovation networks and advanced research. |
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Results and Indicators | Defence capabilities are designed to meet future threats
|
Defence and security challenges are addressed through innovative solutions
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Program Inventory |
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Core Responsibility | Procurement of Capabilities | |||
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Description | Procure advanced capabilities to maintain an advantage over potential adversaries and to keep pace with allies, while fully leveraging defence innovation and technology. Streamlined and flexible procurement arrangements ensure Defence is equipped to conduct missions. |
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Results and Indicators | Defence procurement is streamlined
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Defence equipment acquisition is well-managed
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Defence information technology acquisition is well-managed
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Supplies are available and well-managed
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Program Inventory |
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Core Responsibility | Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure | ||
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Description | Develop and manage modern, operational and sustainable bases, information technology systems and infrastructure. Contribute to the achievement of federal environmental targets. |
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Results and Indicators | Naval, Army and Air Force Bases enable military operations and defence activities
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Defence infrastructure is well-managed throughout its lifecycle
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Defence activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner
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Program Inventory |
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Changes to the approved reporting framework since 2022-23
The following table shows the approved changes to the reporting framework since 2022-23 for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Structure | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | Change | Reason for change |
---|---|---|---|---|
CORE RESPONSIBILITY | Operations | Operations | No change | Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Operations in Canada |
Operations in Canada |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Operations in North America |
Operations in North America |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
International Operations |
International Operations |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Global Engagement |
Global Engagement |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Cyber Operations |
Cyber Operations |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Command, Control and Sustainment of Operations |
Command, Control and Sustainment of Operations |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Special Operations |
Special Operations |
No change |
Not Applicable |
CORE RESPONSIBILITY |
Ready Forces |
Ready Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Strategic Command and Control |
Strategic Command and Control |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Naval Forces |
Ready Naval Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Land Forces |
Ready Land Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Air and Space Forces |
Ready Air and Space Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Special Operations Forces |
Ready Special Operations Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Cyber and Joint Communication Information Systems (CIS) Forces |
Ready Cyber and Joint Communication Information Systems (CIS) Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Intelligence Forces |
Ready Intelligence Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Joint and Combined Forces |
Ready Joint and Combined Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ready Health, Military Police and Support Forces |
Ready Health, Military Police and Support Forces |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Equipment Support |
Equipment Support |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
The Employer Support Programmes |
The Employer Support Programmes |
No change |
Not Applicable |
CORE RESPONSIBILITY |
Defence Team |
Defence Team |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Recruitment |
Recruitment |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Individual Training and Professional Military Education |
Individual Training and Professional Military Education |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Total Health Care |
Total Health Care |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Team Management |
Defence Team Management |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Military Transition |
Military Transition |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Military Member and Family Support |
Military Member and Family Support |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Military History and Heritage |
Military History and Heritage |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Military Law Services/Military Justice Superintendence |
Military Law Services/Military Justice Superintendence |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Ombudsman |
Ombudsman |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (Youth Program) |
Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (Youth Program) |
No change |
Not Applicable |
CORE RESPONSIBILITY |
Future Force Design |
Future Force Design |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Joint Force Development |
Joint Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Naval Force Development |
Naval Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Land Force Development |
Land Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Air and Space Force Development |
Air and Space Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Special Operations Force Development |
Special Operations Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Cyber and Joint Communication Information Systems (CIS) Force Development |
Cyber and Joint Communication Information Systems (CIS) Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Intelligence Force Development |
Intelligence Force Development |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Science, Technology and Innovation |
Science, Technology and Innovation |
No change |
Not Applicable |
CORE RESPONSIBILITY |
Procurement of Capabilities |
Procurement of Capabilities |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Maritime Equipment Acquisition |
Maritime Equipment Acquisition |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Land Equipment Acquisition |
Land Equipment Acquisition |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Aerospace Equipment Acquisition |
Aerospace Equipment Acquisition |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Information Technology Systems Acquisition, Design and Delivery |
Defence Information Technology Systems Acquisition, Design and Delivery |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Materiel Management |
Defence Materiel Management |
No change |
Not Applicable |
CORE RESPONSIBILITY |
Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure |
Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Infrastructure Program Management |
Defence Infrastructure Program Management |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Infrastructure Construction, Recapitalization and Investment |
Defence Infrastructure Construction, Recapitalization and Investment |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Infrastructure Maintenance, Support and Operations |
Defence Infrastructure Maintenance, Support and Operations |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Residential Housing Program |
Defence Residential Housing Program |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Defence Information Systems, Services and Programme Management |
Defence Information Systems, Services and Programme Management |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Environment and Sustainable Management |
Environmental Sustainability and Protection |
Title change |
See Note 1 |
PROGRAM |
Indigenous Affairs |
Indigenous Affairs |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Naval Bases |
Naval Bases |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Land Bases |
Land Bases |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Air and Space Wings |
Air and Space Wings |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Joint, Common and International Bases |
Joint, Common and International Bases |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Military Police Institutional Operations |
Military Police Institutional Operations |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Safety |
Safety |
No change |
Not Applicable |
CORE RESPONSIBILITY |
Internal Services |
Internal Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Management and Oversight Services |
Management and Oversight Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Communications Services |
Communications Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Legal Services |
Legal Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Human Resources Management Services |
Human Resources Management Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Financial Management Services |
Financial Management Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Information Management Services |
Information Management Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Information Technology Services |
Information Technology Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Real Property Management Services |
Real Property Management Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Materiel Management Services |
Materiel Management Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
PROGRAM |
Acquisition Management Services |
Acquisition Management Services |
No change |
Not Applicable |
Note 1: Environment protection is an outdated term.
Supporting information on the program inventory
Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources and results related to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.
Supplementary information tables
The following supplementary information tables are available on the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' website:
- Details on transfer payment programs
- Gender-based analysis plus
- Status report on transformational and major Crown projects
Federal tax expenditures
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces’ Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.
Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance, and the Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government‑wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis plus.
Organizational contact information
Mailing address: 60 Moodie Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2, Canada
Telephone: 613-992-4581
Email: information@forces.gc.ca
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence.html
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