From the Minister

The Honourable Anita Anand, P.C., M.P

As Minister of National Defence, it is my privilege to present the 2020-21 Departmental Results Report for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The fiscal year was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic – and its impact on Defence plans – but also by continuity, as Defence contributed to the national response to the pandemic while continuing to deliver on CAF operations, essential defence programs and activities, and the initiatives in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.

Throughout the pandemic, Defence has made the health and safety of Canadians, including members of the Defence Team, our priority. During 2020-21, the CAF contributed to the national response to COVID-19 by deploying to long-term care facilities, providing direct support to northern and remote communities, and supporting the Public Health Agency of Canada and federal, provincial and territorial authorities with planning and coordination for the distribution of vaccines. The CAF also retrieved and housed repatriated Canadians from travel abroad at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, and contributed to the international response to the pandemic, transporting COVID-19 related humanitarian and medical supplies at the request of the United Nations.

Defence procurement continued to become more streamlined and flexible to support operations, and major capital projects helped position Canada for a strong economic recovery from COVID-19. Despite the pandemic, shipyard work continued on the third and fourth Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships and the first Joint Support Ship. Deliveries of all equipment for the new fleet of medium capacity logistics trucks were completed. Modernized airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft were delivered, with more undergoing modifications. Millions of dollars were invested in repairs and upgrades to Reserve Force armouries and training facilities across Canada. And this report outlines milestones for many more equipment, information technology, infrastructure, energy efficiency and environmental management projects.

Defence innovation and business transformation progressed, with Canada’s closest allies, our federal partners, Canadian innovators and industry engaged in developing solutions that will be applied to equip the CAF with leading-edge capabilities, as well as generate jobs and improve Canada’s capacity for innovation.

Defence continues to improve and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and leaders across Canada in compliance with our obligations and in the spirit of reconciliation. In 2020-21, this included consultations with Indigenous People on the safety, security and defence objectives of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and on proposed northern development projects, partnering for employment and economic opportunities, and advancing claims resolution.

Toward the end of the reporting year, Canadians heard more from members of the Defence Team who have been affected by sexual trauma and sexual misconduct. Important steps to address this and other forms of misconduct were taken during the year, including the release of The Path to Dignity and Respect: The CAF Sexual Misconduct Strategy, and initial work to establish a new Level 1 Defence organization: Chief Professional Conduct and Culture.

But these steps were only a beginning. As a national institution, we must accept responsibility for the devastating impact of these transgressions on lives and careers. We must prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place, and work to ensure that the conduct of everyone who is part of this institution lives up to our professed values of integrity and accountability, diversity, equity and inclusion.

As you will see in reading this report, we can have tremendous confidence in the members of the CAF and Defence public servants to rise to all challenges in their work, as they did in 2020-21 — conducting operations, equipping, readying and sustaining our Forces, innovating new defence capabilities, and protecting Canadians, our allies and international partners from threats now, and for the future.


The Honourable Anita Anand, PC, MP
Minister of National Defence

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