Understanding the relationship between the Canadian Armed Forces and the political executive is essential for understanding the military and the civilian structures that direct, guide, and support the department.
The Governor General of Canada is the Commander-in-Chief of Canada. As such, the Governor General plays a significant role in encouraging excellence and recognizing the important role of Canada’s military at home and abroad.
The head of National Defence is the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Department of National Defence (DND) consists of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and public servants.
The National Defence Act stipulates, that there shall be a Deputy Minister of National Defence who may exercise all of the Minister's powers, with the exception of:
- Matters that the Minister reserves for himself or herself.
- Any case where contrary intention exists in legislation.
- The power to make regulations.
The Deputy Minister (DM) administers the Department of National Defence.
Military members are members of the CAF who are governed by the National Defence Act and its regulations.
Under Canadian defence policy, the Canadian Armed Forces fill three major roles. They:
- Defend Canada.
- Defend North America.
- Contribute to International Peace and Security.
Civilians are public service employees who are governed by the Treasury Board.
Civilians fill three roles in DND. They provide:
- Local or base support services at a base or station (firefighters, cleaners, environmental safety officers etc.).
- Operational support (mechanics, shop repairmen, quality control, engineers, technical inspectors, university teachers etc.).
- Corporate support (policy analysts, personnel consultants, procurement specialists, finance officers etc.).
The Minister of National Defence sets Canada’s defence policy within the larger context of national objectives and policy priorities decided by the government as a whole. Defence policy determines the nature of the mission, roles and tasks to be undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Minister carries legal responsibility and is accountable to Parliament for the administration of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces through the various Acts of Parliament which govern them including:
- The National Defence Act
- The Emergencies Act
- The Emergency Preparedness Act, etc.
Virtually all decisions and actions taken by Departmental and Forces personnel in respect to these Acts are carried out, directly or indirectly, on behalf of the Minister of National Defence.
The Minister, being accountable to Parliament for the actions of these officials, expects to be kept fully informed of any decisions or activities by the Canadian Armed Forces or departmental personnel that may be of concern to Parliament or the public.
The head of National Defence is the Prime Minister and Cabinet
National Defence is one of the few Canadian national institutions that come solely under the federal government. This means that the federal government is the only authority in matters of defence and protection of Canadian sovereignty.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), who is Canada’s senior serving officer, is the head of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The CDS is responsible for the command, control and administration of the Canadian Armed Forces and is at the head of a military chain of command that is responsible for the conduct of military operations and is the senior military advisor to the Minister of National Defence.
The CDS:
- Advises the Minister of National Defence on all CAF matters, including the possible consequences of undertaking or failing to undertake various military activities.
- Advises the Prime Minister and the Cabinet directly (as required) on major military developments.
- Is responsible for the conduct of military operations and for the readiness of the CAF to carry out the tasks Parliament has assigned to DND.
- Issues all orders and instructions to the CAF, and is responsible for all CAF personnel matters.
- Implements government decisions involving the Canadian Armed Forces by issuing appropriate orders and instructions.
