Message from the Deputy Minister

November 25, 2021 - Defence Stories

Team,

Today, the Prime Minister of Canada announced through Governor in Council appointment that General Wayne Eyre is the next Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

I am delighted by this news, both in my official capacity as Deputy Minister of National Defence, and as someone who has come to deeply respect General Eyre for the thoughtful, forthright and deeply ethical human that he is.

In February, General Eyre was called upon to serve as the Acting CDS at a time of profound institutional upheaval. It’s difficult to overstate the size and scope of the challenges he faced less than an hour after he stepped into the role. Yet without fail, General Eyre approached every challenge he faced with courage, humility and a determination to do his very best for each and every person who serves in uniform. It has been humbling to watch a person so experienced in strategy, tactics, analysis and leadership apply every ounce of their insight, humanity and resilience to his new responsibility.

On behalf of the Department of National Defence, I would like heartily congratulate General Eyre on his well-deserved appointment. I would like to thank Jennifer, Alexander and Breanna for their unfailing support to him and—by extension—to our Defence Team and the Canadians we defend during these enormously stressful past months. And I look forward to our continued partnership as we work together to strengthen our Defence Team, and to defend our country from the many challenges we face as a nation, both today and in the future.

Jody Thomas
Deputy Minister of National Defence