March 2020 - Flipbook – Transition binder 2020

On this page

• Welcome
• Logistics
• Communications: Key messages
• Departmental overview
• Key advisors
• Deputy Minister of Defence, Jody Thomas
• Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance
• List of senior advisors
• List of advisors
• Upcoming engagements & events
• Major operations
• Military ranks
• Glossary

Welcome

Congratulations on your appointment as Minister of National Defence, and welcome to the Department

This booklet contains essential information to familiarize yourself with the Department, your senior advisors, key messages, upcoming events, major operations, and military ranks.

Below are the contact details for key individuals you may wish to communicate with early:

Deputy Minister – Ms. Jody Thomas
Office: (613) 992-4258
[REDACTED]

Chief of the Defence Staff –
General Jonathan Vance
jonathan.vance@forces.gc.ca
[REDACTED]

Senior Military Assistant –
Captain (N) Steven Archer
[REDACTED]

Driver – Corporal Mike Hillary
[REDACTED]

Logistics

Phones

• You have received a temporary phone that includes the contact information of key stakeholders (DM, CDS, PMO Switchboard, temporary military driver). Upon your arrival to the office, an updated phone with full access to e-mail and BBM will be provided.

Office location

• There are three office locations in Ottawa for you and your staff.
  • Pearkes Building: 101 Colonel By Drive
  • Carling Campus: 66 Moodie Drive
  • A Hill Office will be assigned to you in the coming weeks.

Minister’s driver

• Should you need a driver, a military driver, Corporal Mike Hillary, is temporarily assigned to you until an exempt staff driver is appointed by you.

Pass

• A DND building pass will be ready upon your arrival to the DND building.

Communications: Key messages

Below are key thematic messages, should you be pressed for comments after the swearing in ceremony or in the early days of your mandate.

Overarching

• Canada’s defence policy – Strong, Secure, Engaged – is focused on meeting the needs of military members and their families, while making significant investments in the CAF to ensure Canada and Canadians are safe and secure and that Canada’s defence challenges are met, now and in the future.
• The overarching mission of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is always to defend Canada and Canadians at home and abroad.
• The CAF must be prepared to conduct concurrent operations around the world, including sustained operations, surge operations, and routine operations in NATO and NORAD.
• The CAF must also be able to respond rapidly with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. 

Our people

• Our number one priority is the care and support of our people and their families.
• We are investing to ensure our military personnel are well-equipped to carry out their missions.
• Defence must ensure our military and civilian personnel are treated fairly, respectfully, and with dignity in the workplace.

Hateful conduct / Sexual misconduct

• There is no room in the CAF and DND for harassment, discrimination, extremism or hateful conduct, and we are working together to ensure a healthy, respectful workplace.

Defence spending

• Defence has an obligation to manage the money we receive from Canadian taxpayers responsibly and transparently.
• Responsible management of public funds allows the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the department to deliver results for Canadians – in operations at home and abroad, in economic contributions that help businesses and communities grow, and in responsible stewardship of our environment.

Procurement

• Defence will continue to invest in the traditional domains of air, sea and ground. In addition, we recognize the importance of emerging domains, particularly space, cyber, and remotely piloted systems in the evolving security environment.
• Canada’s defence policy has been rigorously costed and is fully funded to deliver the capabilities and resources the CAF requires to meet Canada’s defence needs — now and in the future.

Sound bites

People – Our number one priority is the care and support of our people and their families.

Reserves – We are committed to a larger, better supported, and fully integrated Reserve Force: a full-time capability through part-time service.

Indigenous – We are working with Indigenous populations to enhance relationships, and build partnerships based on recognition of rights, respect, and co-operation.

Procurement – We are investing to ensure our military personnel are well-equipped to carry out their missions.

Innovation – We are exploring new ways to network and connect with Canada’s innovation community: looking to all Canadians to find new solutions to defence and security challenges.

Operations – Canada must remain strong at home; secure in North America; and engaged in the world.

Policy & Defence Relations – We are unwavering in our commitment to our long-standing alliances and partnerships including NORAD, NATO and the UN.

Infrastructure – We continue to invest in sustainable facilities to enable a modern military.

Environment – We are Greening defence for a clean environment and strong economy.

Departmental overview

Mandate

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) are two distinct but complementary entities working together to fulfill the Canadian government's mission to defend Canadian interests and values, and to contribute to international peace and security.

They make up two important parts of the overall national security structure of the country.

• The CAF’s mandate is to protect and serve Canadians.
• DND’s mandate is to enable the CAF’s activities.

Represented in more than 3,000 communities, DND/CAF have a significant footprint and economic presence in every province and territory.

National Defence Act

The National Defence Act establishes the Department of National Defence (DND), names the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and provides the legal basis for numerous matters relating to DND/CAF.

The NDA came into effect on January 1, 1923, and merged previously distinct ministerial positions into one to form that of Minister of National Defence. Mr. George Perry Graham was sworn in as the first Minister of National Defence and held the position from January 1st to April 27, 1923.  

Budget

DND is the largest department within the federal government in terms of budget and size. In 2019-20, DND’s budget of $21.9 billion, accounted for approximately 7.3% of the total Main Estimates for Canada.

The largest portions of the budget are allocated to Personnel (37%), Operating (36%), and Capital (17%).

Composition

There are approximately 124,200 members of DND/CAF across Canada. This includes Canada’s soldiers, sailors and airmen/airwomen in the Regular and Reserve Forces, DND’s civilian employees, as well as Canada’s northern Ranger Patrols.

Portfolio

In addition to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF), the Defence Portfolio includes a number of separate but related organizations:

• Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
• Military Grievances External Review Committee (MGERC)
• Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC)
• Office of the Chief Military Judge (CMJ)
• Office of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsperson

The National Defence Act grants authorities and responsibilities to the Minister of National Defence in relation to these organizations. For example, the MGERC and the MPCC report to Parliament through the Minister of National Defence, while the CSE Chief and the Ombudsperson report directly to you.

Key advisors

Your two principal advisors are the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Ms. Jody Thomas, as well as the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance.

The Deputy Minister (DM) is your most senior civilian advisor, and is authorized under the law to carry out, on your behalf, many aspects of the management and direction of the Department. She is responsible for policy advice, departmental management, interdepartmental coordination, and international defence relations, among other roles.

In addition, the DM is an accounting officer and holds specific authorities and responsibilities for the control and spending of funds and the management of property, both real and personal.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) serves as the primary military advisor to the Prime Minister and to the Government. He has direct responsibility for the command, control and administration of the CAF. The CDS advises you on issues such as military requirements, force capabilities, possible courses of action, and the implications of undertaking various military activities.

The CDS is also the commander of the CAF, while the Governor General of Canada is the Commander in Chief of the CAF (which is largely a ceremonial role).

Deputy Minister of Defence
Jody Thomas

Ms. Thomas was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defence on October 23, 2017.

She began her career in the Public Service in 1988 when she was appointed Chief of Business Planning and Administration with Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Atlantic Region.

From 1995-2010, she served in various roles with Passport Canada, including as the Chief Operating Officer, where she managed service delivery at 35 locations involving 3,000 employees across Canada.

In 2010, she joined the Canadian Coast Guard, eventually becoming the Commissioner of the Coast Guard on January 1, 2015. On March 13, 2017, she joined the Department of National Defence as the Senior Associate Deputy Minister before being appointed Deputy Minister.

Chief of the Defence Staff
General Jonathan Vance

General Vance was promoted to his current rank and formally appointed as the Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff in July 2015. He was previously Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command.

He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982 and was commissioned as an infantry officer into The Royal Canadian Regiment in 1986. General Vance has served in Canada and deployed on various operational tours abroad, including to Germany, on UN Peacekeeping operations, as well as Afghanistan. He has commanded at all levels within the field force and has served in various roles in National Defence headquarters.

General Vance has been awarded various decorations, including the Order of Military Merit, the Meritorious Service Cross, as well as the Vimy Award for his contributions to Canadian defence and security.

List of senior advisors

Associate Deputy Minister: Claude Rochette

Associate Deputy Minister: Gordon Venner

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff: Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier

List of advisors

Department of National Defence

ADM (Finance) & Chief Financial Officer: Cheri Crosby

ADM (Policy): Peter Hammerschmidt

ADM (Materiel): Troy Crosby

ADM (Public Affairs): Chris Henderson

ADM (Data, Innovation, Analytics): Stephen Burt

ADM (Human Resources - Civilian): Kin Choi

ADM (Science & Technology): Isabelle Desmartis

ADM (Information Management) & Chief Information Officer: Len Bastien

ADM (Review Services): Julie Charron

ADM (Infrastructure & Environment): Rob Chambers

DND/CAF’s Legal Advisor (CFLA): Michael Sousa

Corporate Secretary: Isabelle Daoust

Canadian Armed Forces

Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) / Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) : Rear-Admiral Scott Bishop

Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) : Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau

Commander Royal Canadian Navy (RCN): Vice-Admiral  Art McDonald

Commander Canadian Army (CA) : Lieutenant-General Wayne D. Eyre

Commander Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) : Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger

Director of Staff, Strategic Joint Staff (SJS): Major-General Trevor Cadieu

Chief of Military Personnel (CMP): Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson

Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD): General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy

Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM): Major-General Pete Dawe

Judge Advocate General (JAG): Commodore Geneviève Bernatchez

Other

Chair, Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition (IRPDA): Larry Murray

Executive Director, Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC): Dr. Denise Preston

Executive Director, National Security and Intelligence Review and Oversight Coordination Secretariat (NSIROCS): Susan Cole

Chief, Communications Security Establishment (CSE): Shelly Bruce

Chair, Military Grievances External Review Committee (MGERC): Christine Guérette

Chair, Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC): Hilary McCormack

Chief Military Judge (CMJ): Colonel Mario Dutil; Lieutenant-Colonel Louis-Vincent d’Auteuil (Acting cmJ)

National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsperson: Gregory Lick

Upcoming engagements & events

Key bilateral engagements and multilateral events are scheduled to take place during your first few months in office. They will enable you to meet and build personal relationships with key allies and foreign counterparts, advance the Government’s agenda, and promote Canadian values and interests.

In the short term, key meetings and engagements include:

• Halifax International Security Forum (22-24 November 2019)

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders’ Meeting in London, UK (3-4 December 2019)

• NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels, Belgium (13-14 February 2020)

• Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany (14-16 February 2020)

You may also wish to continue the tradition of visiting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations abroad, as a morale-boosting exercise, during the pre-Christmas period.

Major operations

Operations requiring decisions

During your first 180 days in office, you will be asked to renew several key operations. You have the authority to extend some of these, but others will require Cabinet approval or concurrence from other Ministers.

• You may be required to make decision on ongoing operations such as Operation NOBLE EAGLE, which seeks to address asymmetric aerial threats within Canadian and US airspace. You are identified as the designated Engagement Authority/decision-maker if the Prime Minister is unavailable. Given the reactive nature of this operation, it is unlikely but possible that it could be triggered at any time.

Below is a selected list of key operations.

Current Continental Operations & Activities

• Operation LENTUS
  • Provision of assistance and relief to natural disasters in Canada.

• North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
  • Binational (Canada/United States) military command responsible for aerospace warning and control, and maritime warning.

Current International Operations & Activities

• Operation IMPACT: Global Coalition to Defeat Da’esh (Iraq/Syria)
  • Canada’s military contribution to address the instability caused by Da’esh.

• Operation IMPACT: NATO Mission Iraq
  • Non-combat, advisory and training mission to strengthen Iraqi defence and security institutions.

• Operation REASSURANCE (Europe)
  • Canada’s contribution to NATO’s deterrence and defence efforts against potential adversaries in Eastern Europe.

• Operation UNIFIER (Ukraine)
  • Capacity building and professionalization of Ukraine’s security forces to bolster its security, stability and sovereignty.

• Operation NEON (Asia-Pacific)
  • Canada’s contribution to multinational efforts to monitor and deter North Korean maritime sanctions evasion.

Other Operations & Activities

• Operation HONOUR
  • Operation HONOUR is the CAF’s mission to eliminate sexual misconduct in the Canadian military. The CAF is responsible and accountable for the implementation of Operation HONOUR.

Military ranks

Royal Canadian Navy

• Royal Canadian Navy military ranks

  Admiral (Adm):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Gold background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with four maple leaves in a diamond formation underneath;
  • Sleeve – Four bars on cuff of sleeve. First three bars are 1.2 cm in width with the top most bar forming a loop above it. Bottom bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Vice-Admiral (VAdm):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Gold background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with three maple leaves, one in the centre, two at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – Three bars on cuff of sleeve. First two bars are 1.2 cm in width with the top most bar forming a loop above it. Bottom bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Rear-Admiral (RAdm):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Gold background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with two maple leaves, one in the centre, one at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – Two bars on cuff of sleeve. First bar is 1.2 cm in width and forms a loop above it. Bottom bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Commodore (Cmdre):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Gold background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with one maple leaf at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – One bar and one circle/loop on cuff of sleeve. Loop sits on top of bar. Bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Captain (N) (Capt (N)):

  • Sleeve – Four bars on cuff of sleeve, all 1.2 cm in width with the top most bar forming a loop above it.

  Commander (Cdr):

  • Sleeve – Three bars on cuff of sleeve, all 1.2 cm in width with the top most bar forming a loop above it.

  Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr):

  • Sleeve – Three bars on cuff of sleeve, top and bottom bars are 1.2 cm in width with the top most bar forming a loop above it. Middle bar is 0.7 cm in width.

  Lieutenant (N) (Lt (N)):

  • Sleeve – Two bars on cuff of sleeve, both 1.2 cm in width with the top most bar forming a loop above it.

  Sub-Lieutenant (SLt):

  • Sleeve – Two bars on cuff of sleeve, top bar is 1.2 cm in width with a loop forming above it. Bottom bar is approximately 0.7 cm in width.

  Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A/SLt):

  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve, 1.2 cm in width a loop forming above it.

  Naval Cadet (NCdt):

  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve, 0.7 cm in width.

• Canadian Army military ranks

  General (Gen):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Rifle Green background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with four maple leaves in a diamond formation underneath;
  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve. Bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Lieutenant-General (LGen):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Rifle Green background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with three maple leaves forming a triangle underneath;
  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve. Bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Major-General (MGen):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Rifle Green background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with two maple leaves, one in the centre, one at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve. Bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Brigadier-General (BGen):

  • Shoulder Slip On– Rifle Green background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with one maple leaf at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve. Bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Colonel (Col):

  • Shoulder Slip On – One crown on top, one pip in the middle and one pip at the bottom in a straight vertical line.

  Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol):

  • Shoulder Slip On – One crown in the middle and one pip at the bottom in a straight vertical line.

  Major (Maj):

  • Shoulder Slip On – One crown at the bottom.

  Captain (Capt):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Three pips, one at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom in a straight vertical line.

  Lieutenant (Lt):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Two pips, one in the middle and one at the bottom in a straight vertical line.

  Second-Lieutenant (2Lt):

  • Shoulder Slip On – One pip at the bottom.

  Officer Cadet (OCdt):

  • Shoulder Slip On – One pip at the bottom with a white bar running across the bottom of the slip on, the same width as the pip.

• Royal Canadian Air Force expandable

  General (Gen):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Blue background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with four maple leaves in a diamond formation underneath;
  • Sleeve – Four bars on cuff of sleeve. First three bars are 1.2 cm in width. Bottom bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Lieutenant-General (LGen):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Blue background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with three maple leaves forming a triangle underneath;
  • Sleeve – Three bars on cuff of sleeve. First two bars are 1.2 cm in width. Bottom bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Major-General (MGen):

  • Shoulder Slip On – Blue background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with two maple leaves, one in the centre, one at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – Two bars on cuff of sleeve. First bar is 1.2 cm in width. Bottom bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Brigadier-General (BGen):

  • Shoulder Slip On– Blue background with Crown and crossed sabre on upper half with one maple leaf at the bottom;
  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve. Bar is 4.5 cm in width.

  Colonel (Col):

  • Sleeve – Four bars on cuff of sleeve, all 1.2 cm in width.

  Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol):

  • Sleeve – Three bars on cuff of sleeve, all approximately 1.2 cm in width.

  Major (Maj):

  • Sleeve – Three bars on cuff of sleeve, top and bottom bars are 1.2 cm in width. Middle bar is 0.7 cm in width.

  Captain (Capt):

  • Sleeve – Two bars on cuff of sleeve, all 1.2 cm in width.

  Lieutenant (Lt):

  • Sleeve – Two bars on cuff of sleeve, top bar is 1.2 cm in width. Bottom bar is approximately 0.7 cm in width.

  Second-Lieutenant (2Lt):

  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve, 1.2 cm in width.

  Officer Cadet (OCdt):

  • Sleeve – One bar on cuff of sleeve, 0.7 cm in width.

Glossary

ADM:

Assistant Deputy Minister

CA:

Canadian Army

CAF:

Canadian Armed Forces

CANSOFCOM:

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

CDS:

Chief of the Defence Staff

CMP:

Chief of Military Personnel

CJOC:

Canadian Joint Operations Command

GAC:

Global Affairs Canada

L1:

Level 1 Organization (e.g. reports to the Deputy Minister or to the Chief of the Defence Staff)

NDHQ:

National Defence Headquarters

OGD:

Other government department

RCAF:

Royal Canadian Air Force

RCN:

Royal Canadian Navy

SJS:

Strategic Joint Staff

VCDS:

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff