Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program
The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program – or IDEaS – was announced as part of Strong, Secure, Engaged, and commits $1.6 billion to advancing innovations for defence and security over a 20 year period.
In these Main Estimates, National Defence is requesting $27 million in grant and contribution funding, of which $22 million will go towards contributions, and $5 million will go towards grants to support this program.
The $22 million in contribution money will fund research in areas critical to future defence and security needs.
This includes the continuance of the program’s COVID-19 projects in a variety of domains, as well as for autonomous systems, advanced materials, 5G, robotics, and integrated systems for relocatable temporary camps.
The $5 million in grant money will be used for contest prizes, including robotics as well as integrated systems for relocatable temporary camps.
The ongoing work conducted through the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program will ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces continues to benefit from the latest research.
Key Facts
IDEaS: This program was established in order to optimize investments in innovations for defence and security challenges by leveraging the capabilities housed in non-federal organizations including industry and academia.
Since April 2018: IDEaS has launched 69 challenges which has resulted in more than 581 contracts being awarded across all elements of the program.
Many projects have now matured and have informed DND/CAF on advancements in many domains of interest, and some have been selected for follow-on testing by DND/CAF. Some examples include:
“Understanding Cyber Intent”
Objective: Provide the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces the means to differentiate between targeted malicious and broad and opportunistic cyber-attacks in order to triage and prioritize cyber responses.
“Detection and Classification of Objects of Interest”
Objective: Novel approaches to enable and augment the ability of the Canadian Armed Forces and security personnel to detect, recognize, and identify persons or objects of interest in a physical environment and track identified persons and objects of interest using seamless information sharing across a decision network.
Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS)Program
The Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security program – or MINDS – delivers on Strong, Secure, Engaged’s commitment to strengthen the foundation of evidence-based defence policy-making.
MINDS delivers a program that:
responds to the need for relevant and timely advice from defence and security experts;
fosters the next generation of experts and scholars; and,
contributes to Canadians’ understanding of defence and security issues.
In these Main Estimates, National Defence is requesting $5 million in grant and contribution funding, of which $2.3 million will go towards contributions, and $2.7 million will go towards grants to support this program.
The $2.3 million in contribution money will support ongoing collaboration with multi-disciplinary networks of experts in addressing the key policy issues of the day.
The $2.7 million in grant money will enable innovative research and activities in support of Defence Team priorities and contribute to fostering the next generation of defence and security experts through scholarships and fellowships.
Key areas of research include sexual misconduct and hateful conduct, continental defence, great power competition, and emerging technology.
These investments are crucial to ensuring the Defence Team is equipped to anticipate and adapt to changes in the world in which we operate.
Key Facts
Since its launch in spring 2019,MINDS has supported the Defence Team by:
Funding over 150 research projects and events on some of the most pressing policy questions facing the Defence Team.
Engaging over 60high-caliber Canadian and international experts to brief the Defence Team on key issues of the day, such as identifying emerging technology, transforming military culture, and enhancing continental defence.
Establishing three-year, mutually supportive relationships with a total of twelvemultidisciplinary networks (three each year) of experts on issues ranging from North American security and defence to addressing sexual misconduct and hateful conduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Helping over 80youth from across Canada pursue their studies in the field of defence and security through the awarding of scholarships, including for Indigenous students.
Supporting the advancement of thinking on issues ranging from the impact of COVID and climatechange on global power structures to how to support institutional change by addressing sexual misconduct and hateful conduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Delivering three NATO Defense College Fellowships, as part of Canada’s ongoing support to the Alliance.
Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program
National Defence appreciates the flexibility and support that employers provide to Reservists.
That is why National Defence’s Compensation of Employers of Reservists Program helps employers offset the costs incurred when part-time Reservists deploy on full-time operational duty.
In these Main Estimates, National Defence is requesting $2.5 million to continue delivering this vital programming.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how important our women and men in uniform are at home, when thousands of Reservists answered the call to support Canadians.
This program was an important contributor to affording Reservists the availability to support their fellow Canadians.
National Defence is proud to continue support our Reservists and the Canadians who employ them.
Key Facts
The Program was approved in 2014 and funding is requested annually through the Main Estimates.
National Defence delivers the Program with support from Employment and Social Development Canada on a cost-recovery basis.
In 2022, this program will pay eligible employers and self-employed reservists approximately $475 per week when a reservist deploys.
The program also enables Reservists to be more fully integrated alongside the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force.
Number of active Primary Reservists in the Canadian Armed Forces as of February 2022:
22,799 Average Paid Strength
For the Primary Reserve, the numbers are expressed in Average Paid Strength, as directed by Treasury Board.
Recruitment target for Fiscal Year 2022-23:
Primary Reserve: 29,550
Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Program
I am committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual misconduct have the support, care, and resources they need.
That is why we are requesting $2.0 million in these Main Estimates for the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) to expand and revise its existing transfer payment program.
The Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Program will fund projects from not-for-profit community-based service providers, including (but not limited to):
Sexual assault centres;
Online platforms; and,
Mental health providers with the capacity and expertise to provide services and initiatives for survivors and those affected by sexual misconduct across the wider Defence community.
This program will replace the Contributions in Support of Various Sexual Assault Centres in Canada Program as of March 31, 2023, and the geographic scope will be expanded to every region in Canada.
National Defence will continue to expand our work to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the military, and to support survivors.
Key Facts
The Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Program will be augmented by a broader scope of eligible projects and services, including:
Providing crisis management, information and support through a communications line to provide supportive listening information and options on sexual assault, referrals, or access to hospital, medical or police services;
Providing individual and group counselling to address a range of needs related to having experienced sexual misconduct;
Providing specialized services that address the unique needs of female, male, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2) survivors;
Building relationships and working with individuals and community partners to provide outreach and education to the community;
Establishing support groups for survivors who have experienced sexual misconduct, including specialized groups and drop-in groups;
Providing information, referrals, accompaniment, or advocacy to assist survivors in the areas of healing, trauma, survivor support, health care, employment, criminal justice system, and legal rights and responsibilities;
Developing innovative tools (including virtual) that enable survivors to better access resources; and,
Producing research related to the support of those impacted by CAF sexual misconduct.
[REDACTED]
Budget 2021: Committed funding to advance a new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, as well as to address sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the CAF.
[REDACTED]
National Offices of the Cadet Leagues of Canada (Navy, Army, Air)
Through the Cadet Program, over 6,000 young Canadians have the opportunity to experience positive development opportunities and help strengthen communities across Canada.
The National Offices of the Cadet Leagues of Canada provides support for the Cadet Program, as currently requested by the Canadian Armed Forces.
In these Main Estimates, National Defence is requesting $1.5 million to help the National Offices coordinate their support to the Cadet Program.
The funding will be used for the Cadet Leagues’ administrative expenses, including paying salaries, rent and purchasing supplies.
It will also be used to provide insurance coverage for cadets and conduct security screenings for volunteers.
We are proud to support the Cadet Program, which provides valuable developmental opportunities and is an important source of youth engagement from coast to coast to coast.
Key Facts
Main Estimates funding is broken down as follows:
Navy Cadet League: $0.5M
Army Cadet League: $0.5M
Air Cadet League: $0.5M
Number of active Cadets as of February 2022:
42,000
Through its ongoing and planned activities, the Cadet Leagues of Canada aim to:
Improve League management and support through developing volunteer management, corporate governance, and standardize policies and procedures;
Increase communication through the national information centre and active recruitment to increase volunteer and cadet membership; and,
Promote liaison with the Government of Canada (at the national and international levels) through attendance and participation in national forums like the National Cadet Council.
