House Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) appearance on mandate and priorities  

September 26, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario

Merci, Mr. Chair. Good morning everyone. 

This is my first appearance here as Chief of the Defence Staff, so I want to begin by saying how much I value the work this committee does.

I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my mandate and priorities for the Canadian Armed Forces.

I’m joined today by Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey.

We face a volatile and unpredictable global security environment.

From ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

From climate change to disruptive technology to disinformation.

These threats require us to be vigilant and forward-thinking in the way we approach defence.

I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside the members of the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years. Now I have the privilege of leading them.

They are skilled, courageous, and dedicated beyond measure.

Supporting and caring for our people must continue to be our top priority.

I’m committed to building on the work of my predecessors.

That means focusing on three R’s: recruitment, retention, and readiness.

These are issues many of our Allies face as well.

We need to get our Forces back to full strength within 5 years. This is vital.

To do it, we need to continue modernizing how we recruit and who we recruit. 

That means improving our processes without lowering our standards.

And it means making a big push to recruit Canadians from all backgrounds, including opening the door to more permanent residents.

Diversity makes us more operationally effective.

What worked in the last 20 years will not work in the next 20 years. We can’t continue relying on the same thinking, the same mindset, and the same people around the table.

We need to bring in new and broader perspectives, approaches, and ideas if we’re going to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.

On retention: we have stopped the downward trend and stabilized our numbers.

We’re making progress, but there’s more to do.

When we uphold the highest standards of conduct and performance…

When our people can grow and thrive both professionally and personally…

Not only will we attract the best and brightest—we will keep them.

We also need to be ready. Always. And for anything.

Readiness is a constant and it is a must.

The world is in a state of transition.

Outcomes are not guaranteed. We must be comfortable being uncomfortable.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t be more organized and prepared.

Readiness means having a stronger and more diverse foundation of personnel.

With advanced capabilities that meet the future of warfare.

With a willingness to innovate, adapt, and take risks.

And it means collaborating with our Allies and partners around the world.

This is particularly true when it comes to defending North America alongside the US—both through NORAD and more generally through the collaboration of our Canadian Joint Operations Command and the United States Northern Command.

As you know, global interest in the Arctic is growing, including from our competitors and adversaries, and so we must be diligent in protecting and asserting Canadian sovereignty in the North.

I visited NORAD Headquarters this week and saw firsthand how Canadian military members work seamlessly with their US colleagues 24/7 to defend our shared continent.

We need to continue working closely through NORAD to detect, deter, and defend against aerospace threats.

And beyond NORAD, through CJOC and US NORTHCOM to monitor our combined maritime approaches.

This past July, for example, NORAD fighter jets from Canada and the United States intercepted Russian and Chinese aircraft in international airspace near Alaska.

That same month, HMCS Regina shadowed a Chinese polar research vessel in the Bering Strait.

As always, we must ensure our intercepts are carried out safely and professionally.

Mr. Chair, I know none of this is easy.

We’re transforming the Canadian Armed Forces while also fulfilling our growing duties.

That’s like building and flying an airplane at the same time.

But we know what our internal challenges are, and we know what we need to do.

I believe deeply in this institution and what it stands for.

We will continue tackling this work with determination and resolve.

And we will get it done.

Thank you. Merci. I’m happy to take your questions.

General Jennie Carignan
Chief of the Defence Staff