Supplementary Estimates (A) - National Defence

Voted Appropriations

Armoured Combat Support Vehicle Fleet (ACSV)

  • In September 2019, the Government awarded a contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada to acquire 360 new armoured combat support vehicles.
  • These vehicles will offer critical combat support in high-threat environments by serving as command posts, ambulances, mobile repair, vehicle recovery, and engineer support.
  • National Defence is requesting $176.9 million to begin the production process of 360 armoured combat support vehicles.
  • The Armoured Combat Support Vehicles will provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the protection and mobility needed to successfully conduct operations.
  • First deliveries are expected as early as December 2020.

Key Facts

  • Contractor is General Dynamics Land Systems, located in London, ON.
  • Economic benefits: the supplier will reinvest an amount equal to the value of this contract back into the Canadian economy.
  • Jobs supported: Close to 8,500 jobs in the supply chain across Canada, and approximately 1,650 jobs at the GDLS-C plant in London, ON.
  • Vehicle delivery is expected to be completed by 2024-25.

Details

  • On August 16, 2019, the Minister of National Defence announced that the government will acquire 360 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C). Funds for the purchase are in the approved budget for Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.
  • General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada, whose parent company is General Dynamics (US), is Canada’s largest defence company. They have an extensive supply chain in Canada, including an Indigenous-owned company providing metalwork.
  • To maximize the economic benefits of this project for Canadians, the supplier will reinvest an amount equal to the value of this contract back into the Canadian economy.
  • These vehicles are based on the Light Armoured Vehicle 6.0 model, and will replace the Tracked Light Armoured Vehicles and Light Armoured Vehicles II Bison.
  • The similarities between the fleets will reduce the amount of training required for driving, so the Canadian Army can begin using them in operations right away.
  • The Media coverage of the September 2019 announcement, highlighted that the contract with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada also included a repayable loan worth up to $650 million. The $177 million requested in these supplementary estimates is not related to this repayable loan.

Compensation and Benefits

  • National Defence is committed to ensuring our military members are appropriately compensated for the sacrifices they make in their service to Canada.
  • That is why we amended the compensation and benefits instruction for the Canadian Armed Forces in May 2019.
  • National Defence is requesting $94.1 million in these Estimates in support of these amendments.
  • This funding will help provide:
    • Pay adjustments for Reservists, Medical and Dental Officers, Pharmacy Officers, Officer Cadets, and Chief Warrant Officers
    • Increased allowances for Rescue Specialists, and
    • Adjustments to the payment methodology for public servants called up for full-time Primary Reserve employment on short notice.
  • These changes will provide better compensation, bolster recruitment and retention, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces remains an employer of choice.

Key Facts

  • National Defence is requesting $94.1M to support amendments to the compensation and benefits of military members. The funding is broken down as follows:
    • Pharmacy Officers: $1.86M
    • Regular Officer Training Plan Candidates: $17.62M
    • Medical and Dental Officers: $20.27M
    • Reserve Force Pay Calculation: $53.96M
    • Rescue Specialist Allowance: $0.31M
    • Chief Warrant Officer Pay: $0.07M

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“We are committed to providing more flexible, tailored benefits and support that are personalized to the unique circumstances and needs of each member throughout this journey.”

Details Compensation and Benefits Instruction

  • The Compensation and Benefits Instruction for Canadian Armed Forces personnel was amended to ensure select professions in the Canadian Armed Forces remain competitive in the job market. These amendments will help attract the best and brightest, provide fair compensation, and bolster recruitment and retention.
  • The amendments to the Compensation and Benefits Instruction address eight specific categories of Regular and Reserve Force members’ compensation and benefits:
    • Increase Reserve Force pay rates to 92.8% of Regular Force pay rates;
    • Increase Officer Cadets’ pay by 30% to keep pace with the increased cost of rations and quarters at the Royal Military College of Canada;
    • Increase Chief Warrant Officers’ rates of pay;
    • Create a special military differential (difference between Canadian Armed Forces and Public Service pay rate) for Pharmacy Officers;
    • Increase total compensation of Dental and Medical Officers by 10%;
    • Increase Rescue Specialist Allowance by an average of $146 per month;
    • Update Pay Protection for Public Servants serving in the Reserve Force to eliminate ambiguity and ensure medical and financial coverage while serving on reserve duty; and
    • Update the Military Foreign Service Instructions to clarify entitlements and bring Canadian Armed Forces regulations in-line with other government departments.

Expand the Defence Team

  • People are at the core of everything the Canadian Armed Forces does.
  • As set out in Strong, Secure, Engaged, National Defence is expanding the Defence Team to meet 21st century security and defence challenges.
  • As part of this effort, we developed a plan to increase our Defence Team by 3,500 Regular Force members, 1,500 Reserve Force members, and 1,150 civilian personnel.
  • We are requesting $47.8 million in these Estimates support this growth.
  • In addition to salaries, this funding will cover costs related to recruitment, training, and operating and maintenance costs.
  • Investing in our people remains the single most important commitment we can make.

Key Facts

  • National Defence is requesting $47.8M in these Estimates. This funding can be broken down to:
    • $28.1M for Regular Force members;
    • $1.1M for Reserve Force members; and
    • $4.5M for civilian personnel; and
    • $14.1M for operating and maintenance costs.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“Implement a recruitment campaign to promote the unique full- and part-time career opportunities offered by the CAF…”

Details

  • The Defence team is composed of Canadian Armed Forces members and defence civilians of the Department of National Defence. This integrated, civilian-military team works to deliver Defence objectives.
  • To meet the high ambition set out in Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Canadian Armed Forces will increase its ranks by 3,500 Regular Force (to 71,500 total) and 1,500 Reserve Force members (to 30,000 total) and the Department of National Defence will hire an additional 1,150 defence civilians to support military operations in areas such as intelligence and procurement.

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UN Peacekeeping Operation in Mali

  • In the last year, Canada successfully delivered on its first “Smart Pledge” by providing aeromedical evacuation and air transport in support of United Nations forces in Mali.
  • During this period, the Air Task Force deployed in Gao performed 12 aeromedical evacuations and conducted more than 100 air transport missions.
  • Our aircraft also transported approximately 3,700 passengers and delivered more than 2 million pounds of cargo, over the course of approximately 4,000 flying hours.
  • Canada also assisted Romania in the takeover of this mission in August 2019, by providing airlift support and a Canadian Armed Forces transition team to assist in operational preparations.
  • National Defence is requesting $42 million in these Estimates to finalize payments from April 1 to August 30, 2019 related to the operation.
  • We will continue to work closely with the United Nations and other contributing countries to help address capability gaps in peacekeeping operations.

Key Facts

Status of operation:

  • Canada’s aeromedical and air transport contribution to MINUSMA is now complete.
  • However, Canada continues to provide up to 10 staff officers to United Nations Mission headquarters in Bamako.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“Our specialized capabilities and expertise can play a critical role in strengthening the effectiveness of missions on the ground, supporting peace processes and post-conflict peacebuilding.”

Details Operation Presence (Mali)

  • The Canadian Armed Forces provided aeromedical evacuation and air transport to the United Nations Mission in Mali through Operation PRESENCE from August 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019.
  • Located in Gao, the Air Task Force was composed of up to 250 Canadian Armed Forces members, two CH-147F Chinook helicopters to conduct medical evacuations and four CH-146 Griffon helicopters as armed escorts.
  • The Air Task Force provided 24/7 aeromedical evacuations, tactical airlift for UN forces, and carried out other critical missions for the United Nations Mission in Mali as required.
  • On July 31, 2019, the Canadian Armed Forces Air Task Force began its phased departure from Mali.
  • The Air Task Force conducted a phased departure to ensure a smooth and efficient transition with the incoming Romanian helicopter detachments.
  • The Canadian Armed Forces supplied a small transition team to assist Romania in its preparations and four C-17 aircraft flights to help Romania deploy personnel and equipment to theatre.
  • This minimized disruption in the availability of critical capabilities to the United Nations Mission in Mali forces and helped set up the Romanian contingent for operational success.
  • After more than a year of operations in Mali, the Canadian Armed Forces Air Task Force deployed in Gao completed its mission.

Operation Presence (Uganda)

  • In August 2019, the Canadian Armed Forces began the periodic deployment of a Tactical Airlift Detachment to Entebbe, Uganda.
  • The Detachment assists the UN’s Regional Support Centre by transporting troops, equipment, and supplies to UN missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
  • In doing so, the Canadian Armed Forces are playing an important role in helping to supply UN military and police personnel and civilian staff on peace support operations with critical resources.
  • This cross-mission approach is the first of its kind, ensuring the UN has reliable and predictable access to high-end military capabilities required to deliver sustainable peace and security to areas affected by conflict.

A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project CFB – Esquimalt

  • The A/B Jetty Recapitalization is replacing two jetties in Esquimalt Harbour.
  • “A” Jetty is over 75 years old and well beyond its service life and the “B” Jetty was recently demolished.
  • National Defence is requesting $27.7 million for the construction of the new “B” Jetty.
  • As an active naval operations base and industrial harbour for 150 years, activities at Esquimalt Harbour have led to contamination.
  • The A/B Jetty Project will also remove certain sediments to reduce the exposure of marine life to contaminants and provide a diverse habitat for marine communities.
  • These projects will help ensure the Navy will be ready to serve the interests of Canada at sea.

Key Facts

  • The A/B Jetty Project supports Canada's National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.
  • The Project is following a three-phased approach:
    • Phase 1, completed in November 2014, created portions of a new utility corridor at the Dockyard.
    • Phase 2A, the demolition and excavation phase, began in spring 2017 and is forecasted to end by March 2020.
    • Phase 2B, the construction of the new “B” Jetty is expected to begin in February 2020. The contract was awarded in July 2019.
    • Phase 3, the construction of the new “A” Jetty is slated to begin in 2024.
  • The funds requested will be expended on the first construction work tasks of the future new “B” Jetty.
  • Several hundred well-paying construction jobs and continued high demand for construction material is anticipated.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“With new investment, Canada’s Navy will be capable of meeting the anticipated defence and security challenges of the coming decades.”

Details

  • Upon final completion of the project in 2028, the new Jetties are expected to accommodate the future Joint Support Ship and Canadian Surface Combatant, the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship, and a Victoria Class Submarine.
  • The A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project will include:
    • Decommissioning, demolition and disposal of old “A” and “B” jetties, equipment, jetty cranes, buildings and utility services;
    • Dredging of the seabed and blasting of bedrock within the jetty footprint areas to achieve sufficient water depth for ship operations;
    • Remediation of contaminated sediments through dredging and disposal or capping;
    • Construction of the jetty substructure including: retaining walls, piles, beams and service access tunnels;
    • Construction of the jetty decking and the placement of utility and service lines in the below-deck tunnels;
    • Grading and paving of expanded Jetty-Apron space to improve access to berthed ships;
    • Construction of electrical sub-stations, ancillary buildings and two rail mounted cranes associated with jetty operations.
  • Benefits to the region and the Royal Canadian Navy include:
    • Short-term construction and materiel/equipment-supply employment opportunities;
    • Growth potential in the field of marine construction work;
    • Long-term improvements to naval response preparedness and disaster readiness;
    • Long-term operational efficiencies at CFB Esquimalt;
    • Long-term marine environment improvements within the waters of Esquimalt Harbour.

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CF-18 Hornet Extension Project

  • In July 2019, Canada launched an open and transparent competition to acquire 88 new advanced fighter aircraft.
  • The first delivery of a new advanced fighter aircraft is expected in 2025.
  • In the interim, National Defence is seeking to extend the life of the CF-18 fleet to ensure that the aircraft remain operationally relevant until 2032.
  • The Project will be delivered in two phases:
    • Phase 1 will deliver:
      • Avionics and mission support
      • Regulatory enhancements and meet allied military interoperability requirements for up to 94 aircraft.
    • Phase 2 will:
      • Focus on additional combat capability upgrades for up to 36 aircraft.
  • In these estimates, National Defence is requesting $26.4 million as part of Phase 1.
  • This funding will help ensure that Canada complies with both its regulatory and allied interoperability requirements.
  • These upgrades will help sustain our current fleet, while serving as a bridge to the new fighter’s full operational capability.

Key Facts

  • Funding requested will be used for Phase 1 of the Project.
  • The total budget for Phase 1 is approximately $500 million.
  • The Hornet Extension Project is currently estimated to cost $1.3 billion to ensure CF-18 to operational relevancy until 2032.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“Investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force – Recapitalize or lifeextend existing capabilities in advance of the arrival of next generation platforms.”

Details CF-18 Modernization

  • To ensure that Canada retains a fighter capability during the transition period to the permanent replacement fleet, the current CF-18 fleet will be managed and extended to 2032, at which time the fleet will be 50 years old.
  • Individual aircraft will be retired when either their safe structural life has expired or they are no longer required by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
  • The Hornet Extension Project encompasses a number of enhancements and upgrades to extend the legacy fighter capability to 2032. The project is to be delivered in two phases:
  • Phase 1 will deliver enhancements mainly focused on addressing evolving civilian air traffic management regulations and meeting allied military interoperability requirements.
    • This includes Combined Interrogator Transponder, Satellite Radio’s, Inertial Navigation, and Mission Computer.
    • These upgrades will be delivered to the entire fleet of 94 aircraft, which includes the 18 Australian fighter aircraft.
    • The budget for Hornet Extension Project Phase 1 is approximately $500 million.
  • Phase 2 will focus on additional combat capability upgrades to ensure that sufficient, operationally relevant, mission-ready CF-18 fighters are available to meet air power capability requirements in the current battle space until the future fighter fleet reaches full operational capability.
    • This includes the delivery of a new sensor, new weapons, enhanced survivability and improved mission planning and security systems.
    • The budget for Hornet Extension Project Phase 2 is approximately $800 million.
    • Initial Operational Capability for the Hornet Extension Project is planned for 2023 with full Operational Capability planned for 2025.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems provide strategic surveillance, intelligence, and strike capabilities critical to addressing modern security challenges.
  • This is why we are moving forward with the procurement of these systems to enhance our military’s ability to conduct operations at home and abroad, in conjunction with our allies.
  • National Defence is requesting $8.33 million to undertake design work and conduct an open and competitive bidder selection process.
  • We will continue to ensure the Canadian Armed Forces has the modern capabilities required to conduct its operations at home and abroad.

Key Facts

  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft System are not autonomous. They are piloted by qualified pilots who control and monitor the aircraft from ground control stations.
  • 31 May 2019: List of eligible suppliers released
  • FY 2020/2021: Anticipated Request for Proposals
  • FY 2022/2023: Anticipated contract award date
  • FY 2024/2025: Anticipated first Delivery Date
  • Acquisition costs of the project are estimated between $1-5 billion.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“Remotely Piloted Systems offer great potential in helping Canada meet its defence needs, at home and abroad.”

Details Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Project

  • The Canadian Armed Forces does not currently operate a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems fleet.
  • Through the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System project, National Defence will acquire long range and long-endurance capabilities to support domestic and expeditionary operations.
  • The project seeks to acquire Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems through an open and transparent procurement process.
  • The systems will:
    • Complement the Canadian Armed Forces existing intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, and precision strike capabilities;
    • Support expeditionary, domestic, overland, maritime and Arctic operations in the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance roles;
    • Have a variety of sensors, including high resolution electro-optical cameras, imaging radar and Signals Intelligence gathering equipment that will be relayed to the ground control station and Canadian Armed Forces units in real-time. When these systems are used domestically, they will be operated in full accordance with Canadian privacy laws and statutes.
    • The systems will enable flexible and responsive decision making by providing commanders with comprehensive and reliable intelligence in real-time.

Canadian Surface Combatant Project

  • Combat ships play a crucial role in naval operations.
  • That is why National Defence is procuring 15 new multi-role Canadian Surface Combatant ships for the Royal Canadian Navy.
  • National Defence is requesting $3.2 million in these Estimates to continue work towards the design and begin the next phase of the project.
  • We will be requesting additional funding next year and beyond as the project matures.
  • This represents the largest and most complex investment in the Navy since the Second World War.
  • We have already selected a ship design that will meet the Navy’s needs, and we look forward to begin construction in the early 2020s.
  • We will continue to closely monitor this project to ensure that all ships are delivered in a timely manner and on budget.
  • These modern ships will help the Navy meet Canada’s defence and security challenges in the coming decades.

Key Facts

  • National Defence is requesting $3.2M in these Estimates, out of an estimated project cost of $56-$60B.
  • Construction of the first ship is set to begin in early 2020s, with the first ship delivery in the mid-2020s.
  • The last ship is expected to be delivered in the 2040s.
  • Economic benefits tied to Canadian Surface Combatants and Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships projects:
    • 2,400 direct shipbuilding jobs in Halifax
    • Thousands of jobs across Canada through supply chain and subcontracting

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“This policy now provides the full funding for all 15 ships; this will be one of the largest acquisitions in Canadian shipbuilding history and makes up a core part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy”.

Details

  • Canada’s new class of warship – the Canadian Surface Combatant – will replace both the Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class frigates, one for one. This single class of ship will be capable of meeting multiple threats on the open ocean and the coastal environment.
  • The new warships will be able to conduct a broad range of tasks, including:
    • Delivering decisive combat power at sea;
    • Supporting CAF forces, and Canada’s allies ashore;
    • Conducting counter-piracy, counter terrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations; and
    • Delivering humanitarian aid, search and rescue, and law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements.
  • Irving Shipbuilding has been selected as the prime contractor for the construction of the warships.
  • In February 2019, the Government announced that Irving Shipbuilding had contracted Lockheed Martin Canada to provide the design and design team. The selected design for the future fleet is based on BAE Systems’ Type 26 ship design.

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Transition

  • We are transforming the way we support our women and men in uniform as they transition to civilian life.
  • Last December, National Defence stood up the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group.
  • The Transition Group is providing professional, personalized, and standardized services to better meet the needs of military personnel and their families.
  • Within the Transition Group, the Joint Personnel Support Unit provides support to ill and injured members transitioning out of the Canadian Armed Forces.
  • National Defence is requesting $664,853 in these Estimates to improve transition to post-service life.
  • Originally provided to the Joint Personnel Support Unit Renewal initiative, this funding will address staffing and training for the growing Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group.
  • This investment will provide more support to the ill and injured CAF members and their families to ensure their seamless transition to civilian life.

Key Facts

  • National Defence is requesting $664,853 to help make the transition process simpler and more seamless for ill and injured members.
  • Approximately 8,600 Regular Force and Primary Reserve service members, plus a few hundred Cadet support staff (COATS) and Rangers, leave the Canadian Armed Forces annually.
  • Of those approximately 2,500 service members are releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces for medical reasons every year.
  • In addition, approximately 1,380 ill and injured members, (who are posted to the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group) and 3,720 service members (who are employed in various units) require additional, dedicated and personalized services to meet their needs.
    The Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group is staffed by 627 personnel with 32 transition centres located across Canada.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“We will transform the way the Canadian Armed Forces supports the transition of personnel, whether returning to active duty or transitioning seamlessly to post-military life and the services of Veterans Affairs Canada.”

Details

  • Before the release of Strong, Secure, Engaged, transition services were provided by the Joint Personnel Support Unit and were focused on ill and injured transitioning members only. The Joint Personnel Support Unit supported an average of 5,800 ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members annually.
  • Strong, Secure, Engaged provided additional funding to expand the mandate of the Joint Personnel Support Unit. This funding was used to merge the existing Joint Personnel Support Unit into the new Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group structure. This represented an expansion of the mandate to include all transitioning members. The Transition Group now serves 11,000 transitioning members and over 5,000 ill and injured remaining in service.
  • The Joint Personnel Support Unit still provides services to ill and injured members of the Strong, Secure, Engaged, but is now a component of the larger Transition Group.
  • On December 10, 2018, the Transition Group assumed a new role within the Canadian Armed Forces to standardize and professionalize transition services to better meet the needs of all Canadian Armed Forces members. The Transition Group, in collaboration with Veterans Affairs Canada, provides a centralized and reliable source of information and services to support members during and after military service.
  • An expanded Transition Group will ensure that:
    • All serving Canadian Armed Forces members are better educated on transition services, trained earlier in their careers on transition, and undergo mandatory training when transitioning to post-military life;
    • The unique needs of the ill and injured are met;
    • All transitioning members develop a transition plan based on the domains of well-being; and
    • All Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families have access to a full suite of professional, personalized, and standardized transition services, aligned across National Defence, Veterans Affairs Canada, and other supporting agencies.

Internal Transfers

NATO Military Budget

  • Canada’s commitment to NATO is unwavering.
  • As demonstrated at the NATO Leaders’ Summit, Canada is stepping up its support for NATO and for the collective security of the Alliance.
  • The Prime Minister announced that Canada will expand its contribution to the NATO Readiness Initiative, including through an additional frigate and 6 fighter aircraft.
  • National Defence is also internally reallocating $41 million in these Estimates to the NATO Military Budget.
  • The NATO Military Budget funds the operating and maintenance costs for Allied military activities.
  • This funding will go towards NATO’s Airborne Early Warning and Control Force and security system updates.
  • These efforts support enhanced readiness and responsiveness within the Alliance.
  • By investing in NATO, Canada has access to strategic information, opportunities to work with Allies, and an equal voice in high-level decisions affecting security and stability.
  • We will keep working with NATO Allies to enhance our collective security and promote peace and stability around the world.

Key Facts

  • National Defence has been increasing its contribution to NATO:
    • $140.3M 2019-20 (Main Estimates)
    • $104.9M 2018-19 (Main Estimates)
  • Canada is the 6th largest contributor to NATO common-funded budgets.
  • Canada’s defence spending for 2018-19 was 1.31% of GDP, ranking 20th out of 29 Allies.
  • National Defence forecasts that total defence spending as a percentage of GDP will increase to 1.48% by 2024-25.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“Our commitment to collective security is reflected in our long-standing support for our core alliances, NATO and NORAD.”

Details

  • National Defence contributes to Canada’s share of NATO’s Military Budget, which is funded by all NATO members.
  • The NATO Military Budget funds the operating and maintenance costs of the NATO military structure and activities, including deployed operations.
  • During the NATO Wales Summit in 2014, member nations established the guidance to increase spending on defence with the aim of reaching at least 2% of their GDP.
  • Starting in 2015, Canada aligned its accounting of defence spending with criteria established by NATO. This resulted in the inclusion of new spending categories related to veterans, personnel and program support, which were not previously accounted for.
  • In 2017, through Strong, Secure, Engaged, National Defence committed to increase its defence spending by 70% over ten years.
  • Canada’s defence spending for 2018-19 was 1.31% of GDP, ranking 20th out of 29 Allies. National Defence forecasts that total defence spending as a percentage of GDP will increase to 1.48% by 2024-25. Canada’s progress towards meeting spending goals does not yet include future expenditures to modernize NORAD.
  • Canada actively contributes to several NATO missions:
    • Commanding the NATO battlegroup in Latvia;
    • Commanding the NATO training mission in Iraq;
    • Commanding the NATO maritime task force in the Mediterranean; and
    • Contributing to the NATO-led peace-support operation in Kosovo.

2019 NATO Leaders’ Summit

  • On the margins of the Summit, President Trump asked Prime Minister Trudeau whether Canada would ever reach 2% of GDP for military spending. Prime Minister Trudeau responded that Canada has increased defence spending by 70% which represents 1.48% of GDP. So far, Canada has increased defence spending to 1.31% of GDP.
  • At the same time, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, stated he is “extremely grateful for Canada’s many contributions to the Alliance, and by standing together, we are all safer”. –Stoltenberg added, “in an unpredictable world, we need strong multilateral institutions like NATO, and Canada is helping us to strengthen NATO”.

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Vancouver Principles

  • Canada is committed to ensuring that all children are safe from harm and have every opportunity to grow and learn.
  • That is why Canada launched the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in 2017.
  • 95 countries have endorsed these principles, which will help keep children off the battlefield and out of harm’s way.
  • National Defence is internally reallocating $225,000 through these Estimates.
  • The money will be used to finalize payments for a workshop that took place in November 2019 in Rwanda to help countries operationalize the Vancouver Principles.
  • The reallocation will also support Canada’s contribution to the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security.
  • Preventing the recruitment and the use of child soldiers is critical to setting the conditions for lasting peace and security.

Key Facts

  • The Vancouver Principles were launched during the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial, hosted by Canada in Vancouver in November 2017.
  • To date, 95 countries have endorsed the Vancouver Principles.
  • Canada developed the Vancouver Principles in partnership with the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative (RDCSI), the United Nations, civil society experts, and UN Member States.
  • The estimated cost of Vancouver Principles Contribution Program is $1.125 million.

Strong, Secure, Engaged

“Canada is committed to working with the United Nations to end conflict-related sexual violence and the use of child soldiers.”

Details

  • The Vancouver Principles were launched in November 14, 2017 on the margins of the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in Vancouver, Canada.
  • The Vancouver Principles were conceived by the Government of Canada, in partnership with the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, and developed in consultation with:
    • The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations;
    • The United Nations Children’s Fund;
    • The Special Representative to the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict;
    • Child protection actors and civil society partners and;
    • UN Member States.
  • They are a set of non-binding pledges aimed at preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers in context of UN peacekeeping.
  • The Vancouver Principles are geared toward troop and police contributors operating under a UN peacekeeping mandates.
  • By endorsing the Vancouver Principles, UN Member States commit to undertake several steps to prevent children from being used as soldiers.
  • These include planning and training; reporting abuses and Grave Violations; and sharing best practices.
  • Canada led a consultative process to develop Implementation Guidance. This served as a guide for countries to develop national strategic policy, doctrine, training, and education to counter the use of child soldiers.
  • This included hosting the International Review Workshop on the Implementation Guidance for the Vancouver Principles in Ottawa in Feb 2019, which hosted more than 75 experts.

Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security

  • On June 25, 2019, the Minister of National Defence announced that the CAF, in partnership with RDCSI, will be establishing the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security, within the Canadian Defence Academy.
  • The Minister also announced that National Defence will be providing RDCSI with a contribution of $1.175 million over five years to conduct research and identify lessons learned and best practices regarding the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

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