Joint Operations Symposium 2023 - CJOC Executive Summary

3000-1 (DJR/RDIMS # 554954)

12 January 2023 

Aim

The purpose of this document is to provide an executive summary of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Joint Operations Symposium 2023 (JOS 2023).

Background

As an integral part of JOINTEX (JX), the JOS series has grown into a valuable senior leader forum for open discussions on important national security issues and the profession of arms. It is an important venue where the CAF/Department of National Defence (DND) can engage Other Government Departments and Agencies (OGDAs), academia, key allies and other security partners. At present, these annual symposiums are the principal CAF/DND platform to lead discussions on the CAF approach to operations. Currently, the JOS is focused on continuing to develop and enhance the CAF’s operational approach to the demands of resurgent strategic competition, and persistent threats to national security and the Rules-Based International Order (RBIO).

JOS Series Key Tenet

The JOS series is founded on the principle that ongoing adaptations are necessary on how the CAF and the broader Canadian national security enterprise work together in pursuit of a more integrated Whole-of-Government (WoG)-led effort to more effectively deter and compete in the rapidly evolving, and increasingly dangerous global operating environment.

JOS 2023 Outline

Concept.  JOS 2023 will be a combined in-person and virtually streamed symposium to be conducted on 21 and 22 February 2023 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Canada.

Main Theme.  Strengthening Canadian and North American Defences: Reshaping and reinvesting in deterrence to better defend against threats to Canada and North America in a time of resurgent strategic competition.

Daily Themes:

1. Day 1 – 21 February 2023 - How to deter armed conflict and sub-threshold actions in the 21^st Century: In concert with our allies and other security partners, determine what essential pillars underpin a credible National and CANUS Bi-National deterrence posture that is effective above and below the threshold of armed conflict; and
2. Day 2 – 22 February 2023 - Rebuilding a National Deterrence Framework: Developing a Canadian deterrence framework that will meet Canada’s National, CANUS and NORAD obligations aimed at more effectively competing with our adversaries, and deterring aggression at home, and in North America.

Program. Joint Operations Symposium Agenda

Day 1 Overview – Framing the Keynote Speech & Panel Discussions

Keynote Address Title: Reshaping and reinvesting in deterrence in the 21^st Century: In a time of resurgent strategic competition, defending Canada, the US and North America through a renewed, integrated and credible deterrence posture.

Keynote Framework. Changes in global and regional threats to Canada, the US and North America. Past as Prologue: Cold War lessons and deterrence for 21st century strategic competition. Threats to the RBIO in, and from the Indo-Pacific region, with focus on China. Enhancing Canadian and North American defence and security through strengthening national, NORAD, US, FVEY, NATO and other partnerships.

Panel 1 Topic: How to deter armed conflict and sub-threshold actions in the 21^st Century: In concert with our allies and other security partners, determine what essential pillars underpin an effective deterrence framework and posture for Canada and North America.

Panel Framework. Discuss what we are trying to deter. In the 21^st century, do we need to expand or amend our deterrence approaches developed for the Cold War? Explore the foundational pillars of a credible strategic level deterrence framework or strategy that aptly demonstrates Canada’s credibility, capability, and capacity to effectively defend against attacks on Canada and North America. Aligned with the Government of Canada (GC) Strong, Secure Engaged (SSE) Defence Policy, the planned Defence Policy Update (DPU) and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, how to enhance the protection of Canada through a WoG-led integrated effort?

Panel 2 Topic: Strengthening National Defence and Domestic Resiliency: Deterring against adversarial actions below the threshold of armed conflict.

Panel Framework. Examine sub-threshold activities that significantly threaten and challenge Canada’s security, resiliency and the RBIO. Are threats and attacks below the threshold of armed conflict increasing, and becoming the dominant zone of competition? Explore deterrence strategies focusing on sub-threshold threats from Russia and China. How to promote and enhance national resiliency aimed at mitigating the consequence of attacks on our country, people and critical infrastructure?

Day 2 Overview – Framing the Panel Discussions

Panel 3 Topic: Adapting to New Realities: In a time of resurgent strategic competition, through an integrated WoG-led effort, discuss how Canada will meet its National, CANUS and NORAD obligations aimed at effectively competing and deterring aggression at home, and in North America.

Panel Framework. How is resurgent strategic competition affecting the security of Canada and the North American continent, and how have our adversaries adapted to more effectively threaten North America? With respect to defending the continent, explore the differences between Canada’s National, CANUS and NORAD obligations. Modernizing North American defences – a progress report. What are the critical steps in building a strategic level deterrence framework for Canada and North America?

Panel 4 Topic. Addressing a gap in North American Continental Defence: Strengthening the Maritime Defence of Canada.

Panel Framework. Discuss Canada’s maritme operating area and the evolving maritime threats to Canada and North America. From a maritime defence and security perspective, what are the relationships, authorities, responsibilities and interdependencies between the CAF/DND, GC OGDAs such as Global Affairs Canada (GAC)/Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)/Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and NORAD, USNORTHCOM, USSOUTHCOM, and NATO. Examine Canada’s maritime defence capabilities, priorities and the need for an operational plan for the maritime defence of Canada. Discuss Canada’s contributions to the protection of Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Strategic Lines of Communications.

Summary

The current JOS focus is on continuing to develop and enhance the CAF’s operational approach to the demands of persistent strategic competition, and threats to national security and the RBIO. JOS 2023 will discuss ways of strengthening Canadian and North American defences through reshaping and reinvesting in deterrence to better defend against threats to Canada and North America. This will demand a new perspective, and adaptation through a broader set of military capabilities, integrated across domains, and with other instruments of national power.  This will also require a more integrated WoG-led approach to deterrence as well as a focused operational mindset to enable its success within the persistent competitive spaces above and below the threshold of conflict.

To enable the widest possible dissemination of this information and the insights from JOS 2023, the Post Symposium Report (PSR) will be posted to the JX website at www.jointex.ca as soon as practical after the activity, but no later than 31 March, 2023.

Contacts

Questions or comments may be directed to:

1. Col Dave Brassard, CJOC Director Joint Readiness (DJR) at (613) 992-6246 or email: David.Brassard@forces.gc.ca; or
2. Mr. Dave McComb, DJR JOS Series Lead Planner and Advisor at (613) 992-1421, mobile at 613-720-6686 or David.McComb@forces.gc.ca.