Domestic and Continental Security

Arctic Sovereignty and Security

Key Facts

Details

CAF Footprint in the Arctic

• The CAF exercises surveillance and control in the Arctic, maintains a visible and persistent presence, responds to aeronautical search and rescue (SAR) incidents, assists provinces and territories with ground SAR operations and natural disaster emergencies when required, supports Arctic and Northern peoples and communities, and contributes to whole of government priorities in the region.
• The CAF’s permanent presence in the North is anchored by Joint Task Force North (JTF-N) in Yellowknife, along with 440 Transport Squadron RCAF, 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Headquarters and a Company of reserve infantry. JTF-N has approximately 300 personnel, including two JTF-N detachments in Whitehorse and Iqaluit.
• The Canadian Army’s Arctic Response Company Groups are regionally-focused elements capable of projecting to Canada’s North to conduct sovereignty operations, facilitate disaster response support, and provide general assistance to other Government departments.
• The CAF’s footprint in the North also includes:
  • Canadian Forces Station Alert, the northernmost CAF outpost; and
  • Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Centre (CAFATC) in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, which provides a permanent location for training and operations in the High Arctic. The Canadian Army runs an annual Northern Exercise (NOREX) at CAFATC.
• National Defence also has a number of assets used by NORAD, including the North Warning System, and three Forward Operating Locations in Yellowknife and Inuvik (NWT), and Iqaluit (Nunavut).Through NORAD modernization, National Defence is investing in upgrading these three Forward Operating Locations, as well as the Deployed Operating Base, 5 Wing Goose Bay (NL). This will strengthen NORAD’s ability to mount a more robust forward presence, including to support deployments of the future fighter, with potential opportunities for multipurpose infrastructure that could benefit local communities, including Indigenous partners.

Operation NANOOK

• Op NANOOK is the Canadian Armed Forces’ signature northern operation with three strategic objectives. First, to enhance and expand the CAF’s capabilities, footprint, and readiness. Second, to preserve and safeguard Canada’s Arctic sovereignty. Third, to develop interagency, intergovernmental, Indigenous, and multinational partnerships and interoperability.
• Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2023. March 1 to 20, 2023. More than 200 CAF personnel worked together with armed forces members from Norway, Belgium, France, and the UK to conduct activities including joint long-range patrols, complex logistical support, and under-ice diving activities.
• Operation NANOOK-TUUGAALIK 2023. August 8 to September 29, 2023. A maritime exercise intended to build capability in the Arctic and interoperability with allies. In 2023, the U.S., Denmark, and France participated in the operation, including for the first time, a U.S. Navy submarine, the USS San Juan.  
• Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT 2023. August 25 to September 9, 2023. A series of presence and surveillance activities in the Northwest Passage.
• Operation NANOOK-TATIGIIT 2023. October 24 to 28, 2023. Whole-of-Government emergency and disaster response exercise, planned and executed with territorial, federal, Indigenous, and community partners. This exercise took place in Whitehorse and this year’s iteration focused on an ice storm scenario.
• Additional northern operations include Operation LIMPID, the Canadian Armed Forces’ ongoing surveillance and presence mission, and Operation BOXTOP, the mission to supply Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert.

International Cooperation

• As outlined in Strong, Secure, Engaged, and the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, the Defence Team will work to enhance cooperation with Arctic Allies and partners to strengthen domain awareness and information sharing and will also look to increase participation in joint training exercises in the region.
• National Defence is also deepening strategic-level collaboration with like-minded Arctic Allies and partners. In September 2023, the Chief of the Defence Staff attended the annual meeting of the Arctic Chiefs of Defence in Oslo. DND/CAF also continues to engage like-minded Arctic nations at the officials’ level to explore opportunities for deepened collaboration.
• Additionally, the Prime Minister attended an annual meeting with Nordic Prime Ministers in Iceland on June 25-26, 2023, to strengthen ties with Nordic nations and address key mutual priorities, including Arctic security.
• Defence Research and Development Canada is an active participant in the International Cooperative Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR) with several Arctic nations, excluding the Russian Federation, to advance National Defence’s scientific knowledge of the evolving Arctic environment (e.g., sea ice, temperature, salinity, ambient noise levels); and to ensure continued effectiveness in defence capabilities, systems and platforms, and their adaptation for future Canadian Armed Forces operations.
• Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) is an annual event co-chaired by Norway and the United States through USEUCOM, to promote regional understanding, dialogue, and cooperation among Arctic Security Forces, and enhance multilateral Arctic security and safety operations.
  • ASFR includes representatives from the seven like-minded Arctic states, as well as France, Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands.  The last in-person meeting took place in Turku, Finland in April 2023, with Commander Joint Task Force North attending as Canada’s senior representative.

Cooperation with the United States in the Arctic

• Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) is a U.S. Army exercise in Alaska that focuses on training in extreme cold weather environment and Northern conditions. JPMRC 24-2 will occur in Alaska from mid-late February 2024 and includes Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force participation, enhancing cooperation between Alaskan units and our forces.
• Exercise ARCTIC EAGLE-PATRIOT is a regularly scheduled exercise that involves the response to a natural disaster with small task Arctic warfare events and last ran from February 23 to March 2, 2022, in Alaska. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) exercised Light Urban Search and Rescue capabilities and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defence capabilities during this exercise.
• ICE EXERCISE (ICEX) was a submarine under/through the ice operation, which took place in the winter of 2022 in Alaska. ICEX 2022 was the 98th iteration of the exercise. The Royal Canadian Air Force worked with the U.S. Navy on the construction of a temporary ice camp by providing two CC-138 Twin Otter to transport supplies and personnel into and out of austere locations on sea ice.
• Operation NOBLE DEFENDER is a recurring NORAD defensive operation that takes place throughout the year and has been ongoing since 2019. The latest iteration of Operation NOBLE DEFENDER took place from August 15 to September 10, 2023, in Alaska. In addition to NORAD’s fighter aircraft and other air assets, this year’s operation included wider participation of Canadian and American military personnel.
• Exercise ARCTIC EDGE (EX AE) is a biennial exercise to demonstrate and refine joint Can-U.S. interoperability during Arctic Warfare Operations in a severely degraded Arctic environment. The CAF and Defence Research and Development Canada last participated in this exercise between February 28 and March 17, 2022. Planning is on going for Canada’s participation in the next serial from February 26 to March 8, 2024.

Back to top

Continental Defence and NORAD Modernization

(includes language on Over-the-Horizon Radar)

Key Facts

Details

Funding for NORAD Modernization

• “Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy” outlined the vision for Canada’s continued cooperation with the U.S. to meet emerging threats and perils to North America through the modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and continental defence efforts.
• NORAD modernization is a long-term project and the investments announced by the Minister of National Defence in June 2022 will support NORAD and the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) ability to protect Canadians against new and emerging aerospace threats to Canada and North America more broadly.
• Specific investments will include, among other initiatives, new Over-the-Horizon Radar systems; command, control, and communications upgrades; additional air-to-air refueling aircraft; advanced air-to-air missiles for fighter jets; upgrades to CAF infrastructure in the North; and additional funding to complete and augment key space projects. 
• Investments are broken down into 5 inter-related areas:
  • Bolstering our ability to detect threats earlier and more precisely by modernizing our surveillance systems ($6.96B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
  • Improving our ability to understand and communicate threats to decision-makers in a timely manner through upgrades to our command, control, and communications systems ($4.13B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
  • Strengthening our ability to deter and defeat aerospace threats by modernizing our air weapons systems ($6.38B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
  • Ensuring our Canadian Armed Forces can launch and sustain a strong military presence across the country, including in Canada’s North, through investments in new infrastructure and support capabilities ($15.68B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)
  • Future-proofing our capabilities to defend North America through investments in science and technology ($4.23B from fiscal year 22/23 - 41/42)

Over-the-Horizon Radar (OTHR)

• National Defence is currently assessing possible locations for Arctic OTHR sites in southern Ontario, including on and off DND lands. As part of this work, we are reaching out to private landowners, Indigenous communities, other federal government departments, the Province of Ontario and local municipalities to determine their interest in selling land to DND for this project.
• On July 20, 2023, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) posted a notice on CanadaBuys and in community newspapers to inform property owners of our interest in purchasing land in southern Ontario for this project. The results of this process are expected by September 2023. We expect to have a decision on the final location of the Arctic-OTHR sites by spring 2024.
• National Defence is also conducting research and development into the new Polar-OTHR, which will further extend surveillance coverage for early threat identification and warning.
• Canadian OTHR initiatives will be fully integrated with U.S. OTHR initiatives to provide surveillance of North America and its approaches to execute NORAD mission sets.

Canadian Armed Forces Contribution to NORAD

• Approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces members support NORAD in fulfilling its missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for the defence of North America.
• Canada also contributes fighter aircraft, command, communications and control nodes, bases and Forward Operating Locations across the country.
• Canada is also responsible for maintaining and operating the Canadian portion of the North Warning System, a chain of radar stations stretching from Alaska to Labrador.
• 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD): Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides operational command and control of assigned assets while the CADS located in North Bay, Ontario provides tactical command and control of assigned assets for the Canadian NORAD Region.

NORAD Missions

• Aerospace warning: detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles.
• Aerospace control: detection, interception, and if necessary, engagement of any air-breathing threat to Canada and the U.S.
• Maritime warning: processing, assessing, and disseminating intelligence and information related to the respective maritime areas, internal waterways, and approaches to the U.S. and Canada.

NORAD Modernization Implementation

• National Defence is working to establish and integrate NORAD modernization projects into the broader Defence program, move out on early priorities in the 20-year plan, and lay the ground for deeper partner and stakeholder engagement on the full suite of initiatives over the coming months and years.
• National Defence continues to conduct engagements with Northern provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments and organizations, taking a distinctions-based approach, to build relationships and hear their priorities relating to potential NORAD modernization investments.
• As implementation progresses, National Defence will strive to deliver capabilities that are relevant to, and inclusive of, all Canadians, and underpinned by meaningful dialogue with Indigenous and Northern governments and partners.
• In implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, and the Inuit Nunangat Policy, National Defence is committed to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into relevant defence activities.

Back to top

Infrastructure and Procurement in the North

Key Facts

Details

National Defence Initiatives to Enhance the CAF’s Ability to Operate in the North

• Participating in space-based global Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities through its contributions to the Medium Earth Orbit SAR system. National Defence is also building two SAR ground terminals in Canada and is providing SAR repeaters on a satellite system, greatly increasing the range in which emergency beacons can be detected.
• Enhancing Canada’s surveillance of northern approaches and northern presence through investments in Arctic and Polar-Over-the-Horizon Radar, space-based surveillance and communications capabilities, improvements to northern basing, and support capabilities that will extend the reach of the CAF as part of NORAD modernization.

Nanisivik Naval Facility

• In 2007, the Government announced its plan to convert the deep-water port at Nanisivik to a logistics hub, which will operate as a docking and refueling facility for the Royal Canadian Navy and other government vessels and serve to enhance the Navy’s presence in the North.
  • The construction of the Nanisivik Naval Facility in Nunavut is nearing completion. The primary role of the facility will be to refuel the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol ships during the navigable season, while also continuing to provide the Canadian Coast Guard with refueling support and storage capacity for re-supply missions.
• The Auditor General’s report on Arctic Waters Surveillance noted that the Nanisivik Naval Facility (NNF) would not be equipped with heated fuel tanks, limiting its period of operation to approximately 4 weeks per year.
  • As an Arctic facility, the operational year is usually from early August to as late as October, depending on ice-coverage and temperatures. As long as the waters are navigable and the facility is accessible, the site will be open to ships. There are a number of factors which contribute to the length of the facilities’ operating season.
  • The RCN have agreed with the Government of Nunavut to not break ice near the facility in order to protect community access to frozen waters and protect wildlife, therefore access is restricted to the RCN’s operational season, which is typically between four and six weeks.
  • As well, the NNF requires fuel to be shipped in at the start of the season and removed at the end of the season. The fuel barge cannot typically access NNF until early August because of ice coverage. Depending on the temperatures in late September, fuel may start to thicken as the fuel tanks and lines are not heated, limiting the Navy’s ability to use the fuel. At that point the fuel must be removed from the tanks.

Inuvik Airport Runway Extension Project

• Owned by the Government of the Northwest Territories, Inuvik’s Mike Zubko Airport hosts civilian aircraft and acts as a Forward Operating Location for the Royal Canadian Air Force and NORAD. As part of its role as a Forward Operating Location, the airport’s 6,000-foot runway is primarily used for CF-18 sovereignty operations in the North and NORAD operations and exercises.
• Upgrades to the Inuvik runway are primarily focused on improving the airfield’s suitability to operate larger and heavier aircraft, which is an important enhancement to NORAD and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) ability to operate in the North and Arctic. This work is vital to ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces continue to have the capability to meet emerging security challenges across the North and Arctic, and aligns with Canada’s plan to modernize its NORAD capabilities.
• The project was initially expected to cost up to $150 million. Following third-party reviews, the revised project cost is estimated at $230 million due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, and rising material costs.

NORAD Modernization and Northern Basing Infrastructure

• The department is currently working on upgrading CAF infrastructure at three Forward Operating Locations (FOL) in Canada’s North - Inuvik, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit – and at 5 Wing and Goose Bay - as part of the NORAD modernization/Northern Basing initiative.
• Upgrades will include runway modifications, airfield improvement, hangars, ammunition compounds, warehousing, operations, and life support facilities. Where and if possible, multi-purpose facilities will be considered to maximize flexibility during operations in the North.

Back to top

Canadian Rangers

Key Facts

Details

• The Canadian Rangers are a subcomponent of the Army’s Reserve Force, and provide surveillance and sovereignty patrols, conduct training and support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations to include federal responses to flooding, fires, and community evacuation events, and may be called upon to support provincial, territorial, and local authorities to assist ground search and rescue.
• Canadian Rangers are trained and supported by the Canadian Army and provide a CAF local presence, operational capability, and support to community resiliency in sparsely settled, remote, northern, coastal, and isolated areas of Canada which cannot be expeditiously supported by other elements of the CAF and the federal government.
• Canadian Rangers are considered trained upon enrolment. They receive no mandatory individual training. They also do not need to meet the CAF’s physical fitness standards.
• The Canadian Rangers also play a critical role in support of their local and neighbouring communities, including during the pandemic through the transportation and distribution of information and supplies, provision of wellness checks, and staffing of emergency centres. In addition, they provide evacuation support in the event of flooding and fires.
• Canadian Rangers provide a range of support and services, including: support to sovereignty operations; assistance to domestic operations (including through Op LENTUS); maintain a CAF presence in their local communities; instruct, mentor and supervise the Junior Canadian Rangers, and; participate in and support events in their local communities.

Canadian Ranger Training

There are two optional Individual Training courses offered to the Canadian Rangers:

• Canadian Ranger Basic Military Indoctrination training that lasts 7 days and includes:
  • General Canadian Ranger service knowledge, CAF benefits, and administrative requirements;
  • Function as a patrol member and how to fire the Canadian Ranger service rifle, and;
  • Employ field craft and first aid.
• Canadian Ranger Patrol Leaders Course that lasts 8 days:
  • Leading a patrol and conducting patrol administration and small arms ranges.
• Common training for all Canadian Rangers include:
  • Safe handling and shooting of the C19 rifle;
  • Map reading and navigation;
  • First aid;
  • Communication;
  • Survival and fieldcraft;
  • Small party tasks, including sovereignty patrols, support to a conventional force, and Ground Search and Rescue.

Employment

• The Canadian Rangers employed for force generation are funded by the Canadian Army for part-time, basic, individual, and collective training activities, such as:
  • Basic and routine local training
  • Individual Training and unmentored patrol activity
  • Collective patrol training
  • Compensated (Paid) on average 12 days per year

Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) Program

• The JCR program is a youth program. Under the Mentorship of the Canadian Rangers, the program provides young Canadians (ages 12 to 18) with Life Skills, Ranger Skills and Traditional Skills based on the culture and history of their local communities.

Reimbursement

• Acquiring equipment for Canadian Rangers through the local economy or the Canadian Forces Supply System presents significant sustainment challenges.
• As such, a Canadian Ranger that is authorized to use personal equipment for an approved CAF activity that incurs damage or results in the loss of equipment, is entitled to reasonable cost of repairs or the fair market value of a replacement item, so long as these items are not already insured under a private premium.
• The primary source of delay in payment for a loss or damage claim is the Canadian Armed Forces obligation to meet the conditions set out in DAOD 7004-2, Compensation for Loss or Damage to Personal Property and CBI 210.01(4) (Canadian Rangers – Equipment eligible for compensation) prior to authorizing said payment.

Back to top

British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS)

Key Facts

Details

Reduced U.K. Presence

• The U.K. has historically conducted large-scale training on an annual basis at BATUS with upward of 1,400 soldiers. These exercises were halted in 2020 as a result of the pandemic and the British Armed Forces ultimately did not return to CFB Suffield for training purposes during the 2021 or 2022 season.
• In November 2021, a number of unsubstantiated media reports were published, indicating that the U.K. would be closing BATUS in favour of a new training facility in Oman.
• In response to these reports, then-Minister of Defence Ben Wallace issued a press release affirming that the U.K. had no plans to shutter BATUS, though armoured training may be flexed to other locations in order to remain in-line with defence priorities.  
• Since 2021, the U.K. has removed its training fleet of Challenger 2 tanks from BATUS, along with more than 1,000 other vehicles and pieces of heavy equipment, artillery and most supplies and stores.
• There are currently no operations or training activities at BATUS. All tanks, artillery, infantry fighting armoured personnel carriers, and lighted armour engineer vehicles have been repatriated.  
• In September 2023, the U.K. Ministry of Defence formalized their intent to substantially reduce their operational activities and cease all training activities for a minimum of two years, and likely well beyond this date.
• BATUS has made an important contribution to the local Medicine Hat, Ralston and regional Alberta economy since 1972. Base services, which were designed to sustain hundreds of U.K. staff and their families, include a library, gymnasium, skating rink, and swimming pool — all of which benefit the local community.

The Future of BATUS

• BATUS is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding and a treaty, which regulate the U.K.’s continued use of grounds within CFB Suffield.
  • Should the U.K. choose to leave BATUS completely, associated termination costs under the treaty, including costs related to remediation of the land, would be triggered.
• Since December 2022, National Defence and the U.K. Ministry of Defence have held high-level constructive and honest discussions on the future of BATUS.
  • These discussions have highlighted the sensitive Canadian domestic considerations that are at play, including the impact that the U.K. drawdown has had on the local community and economy around CFB Suffield, as well as the need to support Canadian federal public servants employed at BATUS.
  • These high-level conversations have also sought clarity on the U.K.’s long-term approach to BATUS, highlighting the unparalleled value of this training space. 
  • The U.K. have officially signed in agreement to proceed with the formal WFA process based on the agreed requirement to maintain 22 BATUS-funded positions.
  • While a small number of public service positions [22] will be maintained in support of BATUS, employees experiencing a lack of work are subject to the entitlements and benefits found in the Work Force Adjustment Directive.

Workforce Adjustment

• With reduced operations at BATUS, the lack of meaningful work for Canadian public service employees has resulted in the need for National Defence to engage in a WFA situation, which is a negotiated protection as part of employees’ collective agreements to ensure employment continuity or, where not possible, to provide access to transitional support.
• As a first step, all affected employees will be offered access to a Voluntary Departure Program (VDP), which includes access to the selection of WFA options. This will help to identify those wishing to retire, take education leave, and so forth.
  • It is anticipated that a small number of employees (approximately 30) will signal their interest to depart.
• All employees will be eligible for one or more transitional support measures, either via a lump sum payment, educational allowances, or a pension waiver for those nearing retirement eligibility. 
• The WFA process may include a competitive process when there are more employees in a job classification than the number of jobs being retained longer term.
• Employees who do not wish to leave the public service will be given a 12-month priority status for appointments in the Core Public Administration, and will continue to be paid.
• By way of next steps, employees will be able to signal their interest in the Voluntary Departure Program until early December. In early January, all affected employees will be issued letters to inform them of their status; whether they have been accepted for early departure; if they are in a position that requires them to compete for the remaining position(s); whether they are in a position to receive a reasonable job offer or if they are no longer affected and will be retained as part of the 22 Care & Maintenance positions.

Back to top

Contaminated Water in Bagotville

Key Facts

Details

PFAS at CFB Bagotville

• PFAS have been found in surface water, sediment, soil, and groundwater on CFB Bagotville property.
• The presence of PFAS at CFB Bagotville is thought to be related to the past use of firefighting foams for training and operations. From 1972 until the early 2010s, National Defence conducted firefighter training with foam. These activities were conducted according to the accepted practices and regulations of the time.
• While water is now used for training, firefighting foams containing PFAS are still used for emergencies as they are the safest and most effective way to extinguish fuel fires. When used, we follow standardized procedures to try to contain the foams and minimize their impacts on the environment as much as possible.
• In November 2023, National Defence announced that the Government of Canada is committing to provide up to $15.5 million in funding to the City of Saguenay for a short-term solution to address the presence of PFAS in the municipal water supply, in response to a request from the City of Saguenay.

Latest Information on PFAS Environmental Testing

• Groundwater: PFAS levels vary at sampled locations across CFB Bagotville. There is no concentration over the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) criteria for groundwater at the property limit. The CCME is a minister-led, intergovernmental forum that establishes standards for environmental issues of national concern.
• Surface water: PFAS concentrations were detected in surface water along water retention basins at the northern property limit, but at levels below the provincial and federal thresholds to protect aquatic life.
• Soil: PFAS levels vary at sampled locations across CFB Bagotville and in some areas exceed the applicable CCME criteria for the protection of potable groundwater. Testing at the base has monitored for several contaminants, including but not limited to: PFAS, nitrates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals. As the base is on federal land, federal guidelines are used to assess soil results.
• Vegetation: At this time, we have not tested any vegetation. There are currently no guidelines available in Quebec to determine acceptable PFAS levels in crops and food for human or animal consumption.

PFAS Testing at Other Bases

• After perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was regulated by the federal government in 2008, National Defence identified sites that are suspected to be impacted by PFAS.
• Since 2015, National Defence has undertaken clean up of land or ground contamination at 12 airports and aerodomes, including:
  • RCAF 3 Wing Saguenay-Bagotville Airport
  • Eureka Aerodrome (project complete)
  • Greenwood (project complete)
  • RCAF 9 Wing Gander International Airport (project complete)
  • Blissville Airport
  • CFB Edmonton (project complete)
  • North Bay Jack Garland Airport
  • Victoria International Airport
  • RCAF 12 Wing Shearwater
  • RCAF 8 Wing Trenton
  • CFB Valcartier
  • RCAF 19 Wine Comox
• National Defence is currently prioritizing site assessments and environmental monitoring at Defence properties based on past and current firefighter operations at these locations.

Back to top

Impact of Climate Change on CAF Ops

Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy (DCSS) 2023-2027

Key Facts

Details

Real Property (RP) Resiliency

• Detailed risk assessments of critical infrastructure will identify changes such as surface water levels, rainfall, wind. This will inform decisions about impacted buildings and infrastructure, Master Real Property Plans and major and minor capital projects.
• Defence has committed to assessing 20% of critical real property assets by 2027. Bases and wings identified as having a higher climate vulnerability will be prioritized for a detailed risk assessment. These risk assessments will identify changes, such as surface water levels, rainfall, and wind, and delineate which infrastructure is at risk.
• These assessments will prepare for Energy Performance Contracts, which can include exterior building upgrades, improved heating and electrical efficiency, and the installation of new renewable energy capacity.

NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence

• The establishment of a NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) is an ongoing initiative led jointly by Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence, to better understand climate change security challenges and inform military preparedness.
• The CCASCOE will be a platform for both military and civilians to develop, enhance, and share knowledge on climate change security impacts. It will also allow them to work together to build required capabilities, develop best practices, and contribute to NATO’s goal of reducing the climate impact of military activities.
• In addition to hosting the Centre and supporting its operation, Canada is bringing its unique knowledge and abilities in a range of relevant sectors to the functioning of the Centre. Through the cooperative efforts of its participants, the work of this Centre will enhance the security of Canada, NATO, and people around the globe.
• The CCASCOE has reached initial operating capacity in October 2023 with the opening of its temporary location in Montreal and with the arrival of some key Canadian and international staff, including its Director. Next steps include obtaining NATO accreditation and reaching full operating capacity by summer 2024.

DND/CAF Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability Science & Technology (CRESST) Strategy

• The CRESST is a departmental strategy publicly announced on 6 November 2023. The CRESST identifies ways in which S&T efforts can help National Defence achieve its climate and environmental ambitions, while maintaining or improving operational effectiveness.
• Encompassing a long-term perspective, the CRESST provides a guide towards opportunities for collaborative partnerships, knowledge exchange, and targeted defence research within three strategic objectives set in the context of defence and security:
  • Conduct research to enable climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability;
  • Assess challenges, risks, and opportunities with the environment and climate change; and,
  • Conduct research to support climate change adaptation and resilience.

Back to top