Download DND/CF Briefing

Queen’s International Affairs Association presents the
Queen’s Interactive Crisis Simulation 2012
Guidebook:
The Department of National Defence and
the Canadian Forces
Pro Patria
Overview:
The activities of the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence, are carried out
within a framework of legislation that is approved and overseen by Parliament. It is established
by a statute – the National Defence Act – which sets out the Minister’s responsibilities, including
the Minister’s responsibility for the Department and the Canadian Forces. Both the DND and the
CF are under the jurisdiction of the Minister of National Defence, who is currently Peter Gordon
McKay.
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The Minister holds office during pleasure, has the management and direction of the
Canadian Forces and of all matters relating to national defence and is responsible for
o (a) the construction and maintenance of all defence establishments and works for
the defence of Canada; and
o (b) research relating to the defence of Canada and to the development of and
improvements in materiel.
Under the law, the Canadian Forces are an entity separate and distinct from the Department. As
stated in the Act, the Department is headed by a Deputy Minister of National Defence, the
Department’s senior civil servant, while the Canadian Forces are headed by the Chief of the
Defence Staff, Canada’s senior serving officer. Both are responsible to the Minister.
The Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence have complementary roles to play
in providing advice and support to the Minister of National Defence and in implementing the
decisions of the Government on the defence of Canada and of Canadian interests at home and
abroad. The separate authorities of the Deputy Minister and the Chief of the Defence Staff give
rise to different responsibilities. In broad terms:
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The Deputy Minister has responsibility for policy, resources, interdepartmental
coordination and international defence relations; and
The Chief of the Defence Staff has responsibility for command, control and
administration of the Canadian Forces and military strategy, plans and requirements.
Canada First Defence Strategy:
Established in 2008, the Canada First Defence Strategy aims to improve upon Canadian national
and international defence through the strengthening of the Canadian Forces. From the
Department of National Defence, “Building on the government's significant defence investments
over the past two years, the Canada First Defence Strategy sets a detailed road-map for the
modernization of the Canadian Forces. It puts forward clear roles and missions for the Canadian
Forces, outlining a level of ambition that will enable the CF to maintain the ability to deliver
excellence at home, be a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America, and project
leadership abroad by making meaningful contributions to operations overseas.”
The areas of focus for this new strategy are:
 Conduct daily domestic and continental operations, including in the Arctic and through
NORAD;
 Support a major international event in Canada, such as the 2010 Olympics;
 Respond to a major terrorist attack;
 Support civilian authorities during a crisis in Canada such as a natural disaster;
 Lead and/or conduct a major international operation for an extended period; and

Deploy forces in response to crises elsewhere in the world for shorter periods.
Canada and Arctic Sovereignty:
One area that is of great concern is the Arctic and Canada’s claim to sovereignty within the
Arctic. Right now there are five major countries making claims to Arctic territory based on their
continental shelves and Exclusive Economic Zones. These countries are Canada, Russia,
Denmark, Norway, and the United States.
Control over Arctic territory will result in a country making economic gains. There are resources,
such as oil, gas, and minerals that, due to global warming, are now obtainable (Proelss, 2009).
The oil resources of the Arctic are the last known untapped oil reserves in the world, which
means whichever country controls the Arctic territory will also have unrestricted access to this
oil (CBC, 2010). Furthermore, higher temperatures and melting ice have opened up the
Northwest Passage, which will allow for trade routes through the Arctic (Proelsss, 2009). This
could then be used as the primary shipping lane for transporting goods to Asia from Europe,
which eliminates approximately 7,000km from the same journey through the Panama Canal
(CBC, 2010). Whoever controls the Northwest Passage can regulate who is allowed to travel
through there, and what prices they would have to pay to go through. The issue over control of
resources and the Northwest Passage is an economic issue that has been caused by environmental
changes. The issue of climate change has opened up the Arctic for resources extrapolation and
the use of the Northwest Passage, which will mean huge economic gains for the country that
controls the Arctic territory.
In its Northern Strategy, the Government of Canada has committed to a "real, growing, and longterm presence in its Arctic region" (Harper, 2007). This is clear with Stephen Harper’s
commitment to expanding Canadian military presence on land, sea, and air in the Arctic. This
expansion and establishment of new bases is a way to create new jobs while cementing Canada’s
claim to the Arctic. The Canada First Defence Strategy calls for the Canadian Forces (CF) to
have the capacity to conduct daily domestic and continental operations, including in the Arctic.
The 2007 Speech from the Throne expressed the Government's intention to bring forward an
integrated Northern Strategy. The CF are contributing to this Northern Strategy in numerous
ways, particularly the commitment to "vigorously protect Canada's Arctic sovereignty." Effective
stewardship of the North can only be achieved through productive partnerships between federal
and territorial departments and agencies, and the peoples of the North. The CF have committed
to working closely with these partners, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),
the Canadian Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada at the federal level.
Canadian Military in the North:
Canada Command:
The military presence in the North falls under the jurisdiction of the Canada Command.
Formed on Feb. 1, 2006, Canada Command is the Canadian Forces organization responsible for
all routine and contingency Canadian Forces operations in Canada and continental North
America. It is responsible for all domestic operations and national security missions.
Canada Command is
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A single point of contact for Canadian civil authorities seeking Canadian Forces support.
A single military command for domestic and continental operations.
A focus on Canada as a single theatre of operations.
Canada Command will conduct operations to deter, prevent, pre-empt, and defeat threats and
aggression aimed at Canada, within its area of responsibility. When requested, Canada
Command will provide military assistance to civil authorities, including consequence
management, in order to protect and defend Canada. Canada Command will be the operational
link with U.S. Northern Command.
Additionally, Canada Command is responsible for the overall effective operation of the federal
coordinated maritime and aeronautical search and rescue system and the provision of air
resources in response to aeronautical and maritime SAR incidents. For this purpose the country
is divided into three search and rescue regions-SRRs Halifax (eastern Canada), Trenton (central
Canada), and Victoria (western Canada). The Trenton Search and Rescue Region, with its higher
headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides search and rescue coverage for most of the North.
Canada Command is also responsible for responding to a major air disaster in the North, and will
support responses to other disasters or humanitarian crises as requested.
Joint Task Force North:
The JTFN is responsible for all Canadian Forces operations and administration in northern
Canada, namely the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the waters of the Arctic Ocean
(within Canada) and Hudson Bay. JTFN is headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
The JTFN's area of responsibility encompasses approximately four million square kilometres, or
40 per cent of Canada's land mass and 75 per cent of its coastal regions. The Commander of
JTFN reports to the Commander of Canada Command. JTFN's role is to exercise Canadian
sovereignty north of the 60th parallel, to coordinate and support CF activities in the North, and to
provide liaison with the territorial governments and peoples of the three northern territoriesNorthwest, Yukon, and Nunavut. JTFN employs Canadian Rangers in the North through 1
Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. It also oversees two youth programmes: the Junior Canadian
Ranger programme and the Cadet programme, in the three territories. In addition to its
headquarters in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, JTFN maintains detachments in Whitehorse,
Yukon, and Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Canadian Rangers:
The mission of the Canadian Rangers is “to provide lightly equipped, self-sufficient, mobile
forces in support of the CF’s sovereignty and domestic operation tasks in Canada”. Prime
Minister Stephen Harper has made it clear that he is committed to the Arctic. In 2007, he made a
trip to Resolute Bay to announce this commitment by expanding the number of Canadian
Rangers by almost 1000 personel, from 4000 to 5000 people (Government of Canada, 2007). He
additionally committed to improving the Rangers equipment, which means upgrading all of their
weapons and resources. He also established the Canadian Forces Arctic Training Centre, which
open year-round, demonstrating how Harper is establishing military presence in the Arctic all
year, not just during the summer months (Canadian Forces, 2007)
The Canadian Rangers, a sub-component of the Canadian Forces (CF) Reserve, provide patrols
and detachments for employment on national-security and public-safety missions in those
sparsely settled northern, coastal and isolated areas of Canada which cannot conveniently or
economically be covered by other elements or components of the CF. Formally established in
1947,the Canadian Rangers protect Canada's sovereignty by reporting unusual activities or
sightings, collecting local data of significance to the CF, and conducting surveillance or
sovereignty patrols as required.
Canadian Rangers are dedicated, knowledgeable members of the Army and reflect the diversity
of the communities they belong to. Many Canadian Rangers are Aboriginal and play an
important role in advancing public recognition of Canada’s Inuit, First Nations and Métis.
The National Canadian Ranger Task List is as follows:
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Conduct and Provide Support to Sovereignty Operations:
o Conduct, participate in and provide support to sovereignty and surveillance
patrols and training in Canada
o Conduct North Warning Site patrols
o Report suspicious and unusual activities
o Collect local data of military significance.
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Conduct and Provide Assistance to CF Domestic Operations in Canada:
o Conduct coastal and inland water surveillance
o Provide local knowledge and CR expertise (guides and advice)
o Participate in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations
o Provide support in response to natural or man-made disasters and humanitarian
operations and;
o Provide assistance to Federal, Provincial/Territorial or Municipal authorities.
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Maintain CF presence in the Local Community:
o Instruct, mentor and supervise the Junior Canadian Rangers; their work with the
Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) Program, while not an “operational” task, does
assist in achieving national goals through nation building and significantly
improving the quality of life of young people in the most isolated areas of
Canada; and
o Participate in/support events in the Local community (such as Yukon Quest,
Canada Day, and Remembrance Day, etc.)
The Canadian Rangers are the military’s eyes, ears in the North hence their motto, Vigilans;
“The watchers”. Their original focus on sovereignty and surveillance is still a priority however
having proven time and time again their resourcefulness and capabilities the Canadian Rangers
have easily grown into other Domestic operations. Some significant examples of Ranger
activities include routine Search and Rescue Operations and significant contributions in disasters
such as the avalanche at Kangiqsualujjuaq in northern Québec or the drinking water crisis in
Kashechewan, Northern Ontario. The Rangers perform their tasks exceptionally well and their
value as an operational resource for the Canadian Forces cannot be disputed.
Canadian Navy in the Arctic:
The Canadian navy plays a key role in asserting sovereignty along Canada's three coasts and
routinely sails in the nation's northern waters. With the Government's intention to acquire new
ships and establish a berthing and refuelling facility that will support the navy in the Arctic, there
will be a marked increase in the navy's presence in Canada's Arctic waters.
The planned acquisition of six to eight ice-capable Arctic/Offshore Patrol Vessels will enable the
navy to conduct sea-borne surveillance operations in the Arctic during the navigable season, and
on the east and west coasts throughout the year. These new patrol ships will enhance Canada's
ability to enforce its right, under international law, to be notified when foreign ships enter
Canadian waters, and will further enhance the Canadian Forces' ability to support other
government departments in responding to emerging security challenges such as organized crime
and illegal immigration, and in carrying out drug interdiction operations and environmental
protection. The first ship is expected in 2014.
Harper also announced that he will establish a deep water docking and refuelling facility in
Nanisivik, Nunavut which is located at the edge of the Northwest Passage (Government of
Canada, 2007). This port will allow Canadian patrolling ships to refuel while still in the
Northwest Passage, which means that Canada will be able to have a sustained naval presence in
the Arctic at all times. According to the National Defense and Canadian Forces website, this
station should be fully operational by 2015 (Canadian Forces, 2007). The Department of
National Defence Berthing and Refuelling Facility at Nanisivik, Nunavut, will help Canada exert
a sustained naval presence in Arctic waters during the navigable season. Strategically positioned
inside the eastern entrance of Parry Channel, and more than 1,100 nautical miles by sea north of
Iqaluit, this facility will serve as a refuelling location for naval vessels on station in the high
Arctic, and a place to embark equipment and supplies, transfer personnel, and work closely with
the Canadian Coast Guard, who will also have access to the facility.
Canadian Air Force in the Arctic:
Today, Canada's waters face emerging security challenges such as illegal fishing, immigration,
drug trafficking, and pollution violations. With the assistance of regular Northern Patrols are
conducted by CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft. With an endurance of 17 hours and a
range of almost 10,000 kilometres, these strategic surveillance aircraft are helping to safeguard
Canada's waters.
440 (Transport) Squadron is the only formed Canadian air force unit based full-time in the North.
Operating four Canadian-designed and -produced aircraft, this Yellowknife-based squadron
conducts airlift, utility and liaison flights in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as
well as any assigned search and rescue missions. The Squadron operates these rugged Twin
Otters in some of the harshest weather conditions on the planet and maintains the capability to
conduct "off-airport" operations on skis in the winter and on tundra tires in the summer.
Given the lack of roads or ports throughout much of the North, aircraft are often the only lifeline
in and out of the many isolated communities in this region. Canadian air force aircraft such as the
CC-177 Globemaster III, CC-130 Hercules, CC-138 Twin Otter, CC-150 Polaris, and CH-146
Griffon helicopter provide a vital resupply service for northern military installations such as
Canadian Forces Station Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island and North Warning System
radar sites. The latest addition to the air force's fleet, the CC-177 Globemaster is already flying
support missions in the North. Many of these aircraft also support search and rescue response in
the North, including a potential response to a major air disaster.
The air force, in conjunction with NORAD, also maintains four Forward Operating Locations
(FOLs) where it can pre-deploy fighter aircraft in response to, or anticipation of, unwelcome
activity. The FOLs are located in Inuvik and Yellowknife, NWT, and in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet,
Nunavut. They provide all the necessary infrastructure and supplies to support the air force's CF18 Hornet fighter aircraft in these remote and isolated regions. A front-line, multi-role fighter
with a sophisticated radar system, the CF-18s and their world-class pilots capably defend
Canada's airspace throughout the North.
Financing the DND/Canadian Forces:
The Canada First Defence Strategy has outlined a plan to increase the Canadian government’s
military spending and “reverse the damage done by major cuts to the defence budget in the
1990s.” This plan will increase the annual National Defence Budget from 18 billion in 2008 to
just over 30 billion by 2027. Additionally, this plan outlines a consistent 2% annual increase in
the budget beginning in 2011/2012.
This chart indicates that the goal of the CFDS is to increase defence spending from 18
billion in 2008 to just over 30 billion by 2027.
The CFDS plan allocates a total of 490 billion dollars to the Defence budget over the next 20
years.
With this funding framework, National Defence will be able for the first time to plan for the
future on the basis of stable and predictable funding, which will allow it to strategically allocate
resources and build the capabilities necessary to meet the country's defence needs. Furthermore,
in addition to this new formula, the Government is committed to separately fund incremental
costs for major operations.
This commitment to long-term funding and to the detailed procurement strategy it supports will
also provide major new opportunities for Canadian industry and produce significant economic
benefits for Canadians. It will provide good jobs and new opportunities for tens of thousands of
Canadians who work in defence industries and communities with military bases. It will also
allow Canadian companies to align their long-term manufacturing, support, and research and
development programs to better meet procurement requirements. This comprehensive plan will
be implemented in concert with a new long-term procurement strategy designed to benefit
Canadian industry while building commercial capacity in relevant knowledge and technology
industries.
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/pri/first-premier/defstra/finance-eng.asp
Threats/Concerns
Source:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/are-chinese-golf-plans-iniceland-a-water-hazard-for-canada/article2259653/
The DND is concerned over China’s interest in the Arctic region from Iceland. A Chinese tycoon
is trying to purchase land in Iceland. While this does not pose a direct militarised threat against
Canada, this action is worrisome to the DND and Canadian government because they may use
this as a way to make a legitimate claim to Arctic waters. However those waters are internal.
This also signals a belief within the DND that this is why Canada needs more icebreakers, ships,
and submarines in the Arctic. This action of attempting to purchase land for a golf course in
Iceland can be seen as a veiled attempt on the Chinese to put them in a position to try to make a
legitimate claim to the Arctic. However, since the Arctic is Canadian territory, and claim on
behalf of the Chinese can be seen as hostile.
Issues Facing DND in the Arctic:
The availability and the reliability of basic equipment for the forces stationed in the Arctic is one
of the concerns facing the DND and the CF in the militarization of the North. Although Stephen
Harper has promised to improve upon the equipment of the Canadian Rangers while expanding
their numbers from 4000 to 5000 people, there are still questions surrounding how this will
actually happen.
This problem is highlighted by the recent death of Sgt. Janick Gilbert in Nunavut while on a
Search and Rescue mission. Although this incident was not a defence mission, Search and
Rescue is a very important part of the duties of the CF in the Arctic and Sgt. Gilbert’s death
raises serious questions about the reliability of the military equipment in the Arctic as well as the
military’s ability to provide timely rescue services in the North (Kim Mackreal, Globe and Mail).
Although it is unclear exactly how Sgt. Gilbert died and the investigation into his death is still
ongoing, the fact that he died while on a rescue mission in the Arctic brings into question the
capability of Canada’s military in the Arctic.
Although money towards military funding has increased over the last few years, the amount
designated to forces in the Arctic is unclear.
Conclusions:
The Prime Minister is dedicated to increasing the military presence within the Arctic to protect
against potential threats to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic, illegal activity in the Northwest
Passage, such as pollution and shipping, and attempts to extract precious resources such as oil or
other minerals.
This commitment to the Arctic has resulted in an increase of military presence on land and in the
air and sea. This militarization of the North is the direct responsibility of the Department of
National Defence and the Canadian Forces under the jurisdiction of the Canada Command. The
Canada Command has established the Joint Task Force North to be the first responder to any
threat or search and rescue mission within the Arctic.
There is expansion in the military through the Canadian Rangers, who will have their numbers
increased and their equipment improved, the Navy who will receive additional carrier and
icebreaker ships as well as a refuelling station in Nanisivik, Nunavut, and the Air Force, who
will be receiving new aircrafts to assist in defence and search and rescue missions.
The DND and CF will work closely with the Prime Minister and will be directly responsible for
conducting defence and search and rescue missions.
Current Problems:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-naval-officer-charged-with-leakingsecrets-to-foreign-interests/article2304213/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/allies-have-full-confidence-in-canada-despiteespionage-case-mackay-says/article2305116/
The Espionage Case
Currently, the Canadian Navy is facing a scandal, as one of its officers is being accused of
knowingly giving potentially secret information to foreign countries. The intelligence officer,
Sub-Lieutenant Jeffrey Paul Delisle, has been charged with breach of trust and passing on
restricted information. Allegedly, SLt. Delislie has been passing secrets for the past four and a
half years. The subject matter of these secrets is unknown, but it is likely that this officer would
have had access to American intelligence, since the Canadian and American naval intelligence
agencies work closely together. However, according to the RCMP, the information passed has
not put Canada in danger.
According to Peter McKay, the allies (NATO) still has full confidence in Canada, which
suggests that the secrets passed were not damaging to the security of Canada and its allies.
However, the Pentagon will have to do a damage assessment report to uncover the full extent of
any compromised secrets.
Background on carving up the Arctic:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/05/201151713273937174.html
This article is based on a Wikileaks Report, which confirms that countries that hold a stake in the
Arctic are planning on claiming as much territory as possible in the coming years. This is a
“realpolitik” scenario, where countries, such as Canada, the US, Russia, Norway, and Denmark,
and possible China, are strengthening their militaristic resources and presence in the Arctic in
order to make these territorial claims. This article suggests that there is a strong possibility of
resource wars in the Arctic actually coming to light. Global Warming and the desire to control
the resources of the Arctic means that these countries are going to have to act fast in order to
stake their claim and as these countries increase their military presence in the North, there is little
doubt the battle for the Arctic is a very real, and fast approaching threat.