Joint Operations Symposium 2023: Leadership and good ideas have no rank

March 2, 2023 - Defence Stories

During his closing remarks at Joint Operations Symposium 2023, Major-General Darcy Molstad, Deputy Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command said: “Leadership and good ideas have no rank. Fearless advice and speaking truth to power are requirements to address ever-evolving threats to Canada, North America, and other democracies around the world.”

National Defence and Security leaders from the Privy Council Office, Public Safety Canada, the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, NORAD Headquarters, and the academic community convened at the Canadian War Museum and virtually on 21 and 22 February 2023 to have frank and open discussions about Deterrence and Continental Defence. A highlight of this year’s symposium was the keynote address by Dr. Hal Brands, who is the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

The illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s ongoing espionage and influence activities, including a high-altitude surveillance balloon over North America, are recent examples of violations to international law and territorial integrity. Other threats are not as visible, such as threats within the cyber, space and information domains, and to food and supply chain security, which are fundamental to our economy, security, prosperity and way of life. Everyone is a security actor and has a role to play in keeping our nation safe and protecting our democratic values and sovereignty.

In a time of resurgent strategic competition, we are adapting to new realities through an integrated Canadian government-led effort. During the Joint Operations Symposium 2023, the Defence Team, in concert with our allies and other security partners, identified essential pillars that underpin a credible national and North American deterrence posture that is effective above and below the threshold of armed conflict. Senior National Defence and Security leaders also discussed how Canada will meet its national, Canada-U.S. and NORAD obligations to effectively compete and deter aggression at home, and in North America.

Learn more about the Canadian Armed Forces’ Joint Operations Symposium Series and the Joint Operations Symposium 2023.