Canadian Joint Forces Command

December 4, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Overview

The Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC) has been established as a new command within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad and Chief Warrant Officer Donovan Crawford appointed as its inaugural command team. Its creation marks a major step forward in improving leadership, coordination, and accountability for joint capabilities across the Defence Team. Just as the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) manage their respective environmental capabilities, CJFC provides joint capabilities which span across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, and space.

CJFC is designed to be adaptive and forward-looking. Its structure and processes will continue to evolve to meet future security challenges, integrate emerging technologies, and respond to changing operational needs. Through commitment to evolution the CAF will remain relevant and effective in a dynamic global environment.

Purpose and Role

CJFC enables Canada’s military to take decisive actions in an increasingly complex global security environment. It brings together people, systems, and expertise from across the CAF to build and manage the joint capabilities essential for protecting Canada and supporting allies. These capabilities include:

• Logistics
• Health Services
• Operational Sustainment
• Joint Doctrine
• Joint Force Development

By integrating these functions, the CAF enhances operational readiness, efficiency, and strategic flexibility.

Why Was the Canadian Joint Forces Command Created

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
• Supporting interoperability across domains and with allied forces

Structure

CJFC integrates several specialized organizations:

• Chief of Combat Systems Integration
• Canadian Joint Warfare Centre
• Director General Health Services and Canadian Forces Health Services Group
• Chief of Joint Logistics
• Joint Information and Intelligence Fusion Centre

Some joint capabilities remain under their current level one organization but share accountability with CJFC, such as:

• Integrated Air and Missile Defence (RCAF)
• Joint Engineering (Assistant Deputy Minister Infrastructure & Environment)
• Joint Communication and Information Systems (Digital Services Group)

Addition of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group

Pursuant to the National Defence Act, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) currently acts under the general supervision of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. It is important to note that Bill C-11, which is currently before Parliament, would remove this provision, should it receive Royal Assent. With this change, the CFPM would become the Provost Marshal General, a Governor-in-Council appointment, and be responsible and accountable to the Minister of National Defence. While the Canadian Joint Forces Command, would be responsible for the provision of support to the Military Police, they would continue to execute their policing functions with independence. 

Related 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 (CJFC)
• Canadian Armed Forces establish Canadian Joint Forces Command