Defence Portfolio

The following organizations are part of the National Defence portfolio:

Statutory agencies

Statutory agencies are created by law to provide services, oversight or regulation. In accordance with the “arm’s length” principle, the deputy head for the agency directs the activities of the agency, but the Minister must answer questions in Parliament about its activities. Statutory agencies are funded independently from National Defence.

Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
One of Canada’s key security and intelligence organizations, focused on collecting foreign signals intelligence in support of the Government of Canada’s priorities, and on helping protect the computer networks and information of greatest importance to Canada.

Communications Security Establishment Commissioner (Office of the)
Provides independent, external review of the CSE activities to determine whether they complied with the laws of Canada.

Military Grievances External Review Committee (MGERC)
An independent administrative tribunal. The Committee reviews military grievances and provides findings and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Canadian Armed Forces member who submitted the grievance.

Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada (MPCC)
An independent, civilian, quasi-judicial oversight agency. It reviews and investigates complaints concerning military police conduct. It also investigates allegations of interference in military police investigations.

Intradepartmental organizations

Intradepartmental organizations operate outside of the National Defence chain of command. They have a separate or distinct identity and serve a particular operational function or provide a particular service. Intradepartmental organizations are funded by National Defence.

Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism, Discrimination with a focus on anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, LGBTQ2+ Prejudice, Gender Bias and White Supremacy
The Advisory Panel provides the Minister of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence with advice and recommendations on how to eliminate systemic racism and discrimination.

Chief Military Judge (Office of the)
An independent unit of the Canadian Armed Forces that provides military judges to preside at courts martial and administers courts martial and other judicial hearings.

Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition (IRPDA)
Offers expert third-party advice on defence procurement. It reviews and approves requirements for major National Defence procurement projects.

National Defence and the Canadian Forces Ombudsman (Office of the)
Investigates complaints and serves as a neutral third party on matters related to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.