Canadian Armed Forces establish Canadian Joint Forces Command
News release
December 4, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
On November 25, 2025, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, officially established the Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC), a new Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) command designed to strengthen leadership, coordination, and accountability for joint military capabilities across the CAF.
Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad and Chief Warrant Officer Donovan Crawford have been named as the inaugural CJFC command team.
CJFC will bring together people, systems, and expertise from across the CAF to build and manage the joint capabilities needed to protect Canada and meaningfully contribute to our allies and partners. This new command reflects a shift toward integrated defence operations, enabling the CAF to respond effectively across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, space and information environment.
Just as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force develop and manage their respective capabilities, the creation of CJFC will enable the same standard for joint capabilities across the CAF.
Quotes
“The establishment of the Canadian Joint Forces Command marks a significant step forward in modernizing our military. I’m incredibly proud of the dedication, professionalism, and vision our members have shown in bringing it to life. This new command will allow the Canadian Armed Forces to be better integrated, agile, and ready to meet the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.”
- The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“The establishment of the Canadian Joint Forces Command reflects our commitment to building a future-ready force as part of our ongoing transformation and modernization efforts. I am extremely proud of the teams whose hard work and expertise made this possible. The future is joint, and by consolidating leadership and integrating joint capabilities, we are enhancing our ability to deliver joint effects across all domains.”
- General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff
“The creation of the Canadian Joint Forces Command is a critical step in strengthening our delivery of integrated capabilities. A unified command better enables Canada’s defence posture to remain agile, efficient, and ready to meet current and future challenges. I’m grateful for the exceptional collaboration across the Defence Team that brought us to this milestone.”
- Stefanie Beck, Deputy Minister of National Defence
“I am honoured to lead the Canadian Joint Forces Command as we begin this important mission. The Canadian Joint Forces Command will foster a culture of integration and agility, keeping our joint capabilities coherent, accountable, and ready to support Canada’s defence objectives.”
- Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad, Commander, Canadian Joint Forces Command
Quick facts
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Joint capabilities are military functions and resources that span multiple domains, such as land, sea, air, cyber, and space, and are used collectively by different branches of the armed forces. Examples include logistics, health services, joint doctrine and joint force development.
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Joint capabilities are essential for modern defence operations. They enable the CAF to operate cohesively across domains, respond rapidly to complex threats, and collaborate effectively with allies and partners. By integrating these capabilities, Canada enhances its operational readiness, efficiency, and strategic flexibility.
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Multiple studies identified gaps in how CAF joint capabilities are generated, developed, managed, and sustained. CJFC addresses these gaps by centralizing leadership and accountability for joint capabilities, improving coherence and innovation, and supporting interoperability across domains and with allied and partner forces.
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CJFC integrates several specialized organizations: the Chief of Combat Systems Integration, the Canadian Forces Military Police Group, the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre, the Director General Health Services and the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, the Chief of Joint Logistics, and the Joint Information and Intelligence Fusion Centre.
Related products
Associated links
- Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence - Canada.ca
- Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Minister Directive for the Delivery of Ready, Resilient, and Relevant Forces - Canada.ca
- Pan-Domain Command & Control (PDC2) Concept Paper - Canada.ca
- Canadian Joint Forces Command website
Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca