General Jonathan Vance Appointed Canada's New Chief of Defence Staff

News Release

July 17, 2015 – Ottawa – Department of National Defence / Chief of the Defence Staff

General Jonathan Vance was appointed Canada’s new Chief of the Defence Staff during a change of command ceremony held today in Ottawa. The event was presided over by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and marked the official transfer of command of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from General Tom Lawson to General Jonathan Vance. The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence were also in attendance.

Quick Facts

Per the National Defence Act, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) has direct responsibility for the command, control, and administration of the Canadian Armed Forces, and is appointed by the Governor-in-Council, by recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The CDS also has a special relationship with the Governor General who, as the Queen’s representative in Canada, exercises virtually all of the powers of that office under the Constitution and serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces.
General Tom Lawson is retiring after 40 years of distinguished service in the CAF. His career began at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. Following his graduation, he served as a fighter pilot on the CF-104 and later on the CF-18. He has held several commands and senior positions throughout his career, including Commanding Officer of 412 (Transport) Squadron in Ottawa, Commander of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, Ontario, Commandant of RMCC, and Deputy Commander North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).
General Jonathan Vance joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982 and, in 1986, upon graduation from Royal Roads Military College, was commissioned as an infantry officer into The Royal Canadian Regiment. He commanded at all levels within the field force as well as 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Edmonton before deploying as Commander of Joint Task Forces Afghanistan and Kandahar in 2009, and again in 2010. General Vance also completed a tour as Deputy Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, in July 2014, before assuming the position as Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command later that year.
This change of command comes at a time when the Canadian Armed Forces are involved in two major military operations. Operation IMPACT is the Canadian Armed Forces’ contribution to the Middle East Stabilization Force – the multinational coalition to halt and degrade the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the Republic of Iraq and in Syria, while Operation REASSURANCE provides support to NATO assurance measures in Central and Eastern Europe.

Quotes

“I wish to thank General Lawson for his lifetime devotion to the Canadian Armed Forces over his 40 years of distinguished military service, particularly as Chief of the Defence Staff during challenging times. I wish him and his family all good things in the future.”

"General Jon Vance begins his tenure as Chief of the Defence Staff with a remarkable record of leadership, focused on operational effectiveness. I am confident that he will maintain the reputation of the Canadian Armed Forces as one of the world's most effective fighting forces, able to defend Canada's interests and values around the word."
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“General Lawson has made outstanding contributions to Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces, not just in his three years as Chief of Defence Staff but also his four decades of distinguished service. I wish him well in his future endeavours. I am equally pleased to extend a sincere welcome to General Jonathan Vance to this prestigious position. The Chief of the Defence Staff represents the pinnacle of military leadership.”
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence

“I will always remain extremely proud of the many accomplishments of the Canadian Armed Forces during the three years I served as CDS. I wish to thank our members and their families for their continued exemplary support and loyal service. I know that Canada’s forces will remain in good hands as General Vance takes command and I wish him the utmost success in the position.”
General Tom Lawson, outgoing Chief of the Defence Staff

“I thank General Lawson for his valued contributions to the Canadian Armed Forces. He has had an exceptionally long and productive career, filling a range of roles including scholar, pilot, commander and the most senior position in the CAF. I look forward to this rare privilege of commanding the men and women of our armed forces. I will do my utmost to care for our people and ensure operational excellence now and into the future. I am very pleased to be your new Chief of the Defence Staff.”
General Jonathan Vance, incoming Chief of the Defence Staff

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Contacts

Lauren Armstrong
Press Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Lauren.Armstrong2@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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General Jonathan Vance Appointed Canada's New Chief of Defence Staff

News Release

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