CAF Support to the Whole-of-Government Response to COVID-19

CAF/COVID-19

What is the Canadian Armed Forces doing to help Canadians in response to COVID-19?

The Canadian Armed Forces have played a key role in the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, at the outset of the pandemic, the Canadian Armed Forces supported the repatriation of Canadians from epidemic epicentres around the world.
The Canadian Armed Forces have made a real difference in assisting their federal, provincial and territorial partners.
The Canadian Armed Forces supported some of our most vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario.
The Canadian Armed Forces is also currently providing vital assistance and care to Northern and Indigenous communities.
The Canadian Rangers also continue to be active across Canada, providing assistance to Northern and Indigenous communities, as required.
And the Canadian Armed Forces is also supporting vaccine distribution efforts across Canada.
National Defence continues to stand ready to contribute to the whole-of-government response to COVID-19, while also maintaining operational readiness abroad.

If pressed on the safety of Canadian Armed Forces members in response to COVID-19:

The health and safety of our women and men in uniform remains a top priority.
That is why we are taking several measures to protect the health of our members, and preserve our ability to conduct mission-essential operations.
These measures include the application of layered risk mitigation strategies and enforcement of public health measures.

Approximately 1,700 CAF members mobilized as part of Op LASER to provide support to long-term care facilities in Quebec (47 facilities) and Ontario (7 facilities).
Another 30 CAF members assisted Public Health Ontario in conducting contact tracing over a 71 day period, establishing contact with 1536 individuals.
DND infrastructure was used to house testing equipment, distribute essential medical equipment domestically, and transport personal protective equipment samples for testing in the US.
The CAF delivered over 180,000 lbs of medical supplies into Latin America and the Caribbean between July 23^rd and August 3^rd, 2020.
In the second wave of COVID-19, the CAF has deployed hundreds of members to multiple Indigenous communities to provide medical care, establish alternate isolation accommodations, and mobilize humanitarian supports.
Operational readiness as of January 2021:
- Almost 2,000 members are on standby to provide support; and,
- 190 members are currently assigned across Canada to support whole-of-government efforts.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Canadian Joint Operations Command
January 14, 2021