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.
“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
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