Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) (French: Chef d'état-major de la défense) is the second most senior member of the Canadian Armed Forces (after the commander-in-chief) and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements. The position is held by a senior member of one of the three main branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. The current CDS, since 17 July 2015, is Jonathan Vance.^[1]

History

Until 1964, there existed a Chief of the Naval Staff, as head of the Royal Canadian Navy; a Chief of the General Staff, as head of the Canadian Army; and a Chief of the Air Staff, as head of the Royal Canadian Air Force. A position known as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee existed, which had a loose coordination function, although it lacked the command and control responsibilities of the later position of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).^[2]

The position of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the positions of the three service chiefs were abolished in 1964 and replaced by the position of CDS. This change was based on a white paper initiated by Paul Hellyer, Minister of National Defence in the Cabinet headed by Lester B. Pearson.^[3] Following the tabling of the white paper, the minister introduced legislation that took effect in August 1964. The newly established Chief of the Defence Staff was to "head all of Canada's military forces, backed by a defence headquarters that was integrated and restructured to reflect six so-called functional commands, replacing eleven former service commands. Functional described a command that was non-geographic and beyond any particular service or traditional arm."^[3] In May 1967, Bill C-243 was passed by parliament and was effective as of 1 February 1968. The law dissolved the three armed services and created the Canadian Armed Forces under the command of the CDS.^[4]

In 2011, the three functional commands—named Maritime Command, Land Force Command, and Air Command—had their original names reinstated, becoming once again the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force, respectively.^[5]

Rank and command

The Chief of the Defence Staff follows in rank only the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, who appoints the CDS and is the person from whom the CDS receives his or her orders.^[6] In practice, the commander-in-chief—the Canadian monarch, represented by the governor general—typically acts only on the advice of his or her ministers of the Crown, meaning the CDS normally reports directly to the Minister of National Defence.^[6]

The CDS has been charged with four main priorities, each having multiple sub-priorities: The first is to conduct operations, which includes the successful implementation of domestic and international operations, protection of the forces through a culture of risk management, and ensuring that recruitment is at a level required to sustain the operational forces at full potential to meet their commitments.^[7] Secondly, the CDS is expected to expand the regular and reserve forces to meet international and domestic obligations, which means the management of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group so as to streamline the enlistment process of new forces members.^[7] The third task is to implement the national defence strategy as outlined by the Queen-in-Council, requiring both the acquisition of new equipment and the strengthening of diplomatic relations via the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and North American Aerospace Defence Command."^[7] Lastly, the CDS must enhance the forces' programme delivery while optimising the use of resources.^[7]

The CDS is also the Chair of the Canadian Forces Decorations Advisory Committee, which reviews and recommends to the governor general members of the forces eligible to receive decorations for valour, bravery, and meritorious service, as well as Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendations.^[8] This committee mirrors that for the Order of Military Merit, of which the CDS is ex-officio a member and the Principal Commander.^[9] Separately, the CDS presents the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation (French: Mention élogieuse du Chef d'état-major de la Défense)—in the form of a gold bar pin that bears three equilaterally spaced maple leaves—to recognise deeds or activities beyond the normal demands of duty,^[10] as well as the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, which is given by the CDS on behalf of the entire forces.^[11]

The CDS awards the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation to recognise activity or service beyond regular expectations.^[12][13] It can be presented to members of the Canadian Forces, civilian members of the Defence Team (in an overseas operation), and members of an allied foreign military (who's actions benefited Canada).^[13] The insignia for wear has the form of a gold bar bearing three gold maple leaves and the award comes with a scroll bearing the citation.^[13]

Chiefs of the Defence Staff

Name	Rank	Image	Year	Branch	Home Province	Appointed by	Prime Minister	Notes
Frank Robert Miller	Air Chief Marshal[14]		1964–1966	Royal Canadian Air Force	BC	Georges Vanier	Lester B. Pearson	[15]
Jean-Victor Allard	General		1966–1969	Canadian Army	QC	Georges Vanier	Lester B. Pearson	[16]
Frederick Ralph Sharp	General		1969–1972	Air Command	SK	Roland Michener	Pierre Trudeau	[17]
Jacques Alfred Dextraze	General		1972–1977	Mobile Command	QC	Jules Léger	Pierre Trudeau	[18]
Robert Hilborn Falls	Admiral		1977–1980	Maritime Command	ON	Jules Léger	Pierre Trudeau	[19]
Ramsey Muir Withers	General		1980–1983	Mobile Command	ON	Edward Schreyer	Pierre Trudeau	[20]
Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault	General		1983–1986	Air Command	QC	Edward Schreyer	Pierre Trudeau	[21]
Paul David Manson	General		1986–1989	Air Command	BC	Jeanne Sauvé	Brian Mulroney	[22]
John de Chastelain	General		1989–1993	Mobile Command	AB	Jeanne Sauvé	Brian Mulroney	[23]
John Rogers Anderson	Admiral		1993	Maritime Command	BC	Ray Hnatyshyn	Jean Chrétien	[24]
John de Chastelain	General		1994–1995	Land Force Command	AB	Ray Hnatyshyn	Jean Chrétien	[23]
Joseph Édouard Jean Boyle	General		1996	Air Command	ON	Roméo LeBlanc	Jean Chrétien	[25]
Larry Murray (Acting)	Vice-Admiral		1996–1997	Maritime Command	ON	Roméo LeBlanc	Jean Chrétien	[26]
Maurice Baril	General		1997–2001	Land Force Command	QC	Roméo LeBlanc	Jean Chrétien	[27]
Raymond Henault	General		2001–2005	Air Command	MB	Adrienne Clarkson	Jean Chrétien	[28]
Rick Hillier	General		2005–2008	Land Force Command	NL	Adrienne Clarkson	Paul Martin	[29]
Walter Natynczyk	General		2008–2012	Land Force Command/Canadian Army	MB	Michaëlle Jean	Stephen Harper	[30]
Thomas J. Lawson	General		2012–2015	Royal Canadian Air Force	ON	David Johnston	Stephen Harper	[31]
Jonathan Vance	General		2015 – Present	Canadian Army	ON	David Johnston	Stephen Harper	[32]

See also

• Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
• Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

References

External links

• Department of National Defence: Chief of the Defence Staff
• National Defence Act

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