OTTAWA – Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin assumed command today of Canada’s Army from Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie in an official ceremony at the Canadian War Museum.
The ceremony was attended by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and presided over by General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff.
“The Army proudly represents Canada and protects Canadian interests at home and around the world. Canadians are extremely grateful to our soldiers for all that they do on behalf of Canada,” said Minister MacKay. “I’m thankful to Lt.-Gen. Leslie for his efforts as Army Commander and offer my sincere congratulations and support to Lt.-Gen. Devlin in his role as Chief of the Land Staff.”
“Lt.-Gen. Devlin is a highly experienced and knowledgeable officer,” said Gen. Natynczyk. “I have complete confidence in his ability to continue to provide the Army with the excellent leadership it has enjoyed under the command of Lt.-Gen. Leslie.”
“Canada has one of the finest Armies in the world and our soldiers are second to none,” said Lt.-Gen. Devlin. “I am honoured to accept this command and thank Lt.-Gen. Leslie for his outstanding efforts over the past four years and wish him the best of luck.”
“It has been my privilege to command Canada’s Army for the past four years,” said Lt.-Gen. Leslie. “Rest assured that the Army will be in excellent hands in the years to come with Lt.-Gen. Devlin as the new commander.”
Lt.-Gen. Devlin was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Regiment in 1978 and has held numerous operational and command appointments including recent tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He comes to the Land Staff from Canadian Expeditionary Force Command where he served as Deputy Commander.
Lt.-Gen. Leslie will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Canadian Forces Chief of Transformation.
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Note to news editors: Lt.-Gen. Devlin’s biography and photo can be found on the Army Website at http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/ata-asl/biography-biographie/index-eng.asp
