Operations

Description

Detect, deter and defend against threats to or attacks on Canada. Assist civil authorities and law enforcement, including counter-terrorism, in support of national security, domestic disasters or major emergencies, and conduct search and rescue operations.

Detect, deter and defend against threats to or attacks on North America in partnership with the United States, including through NORAD.

Lead and/or contribute forces to NATO and coalition efforts to deter and defeat adversaries, including terrorists, to support global stability. Lead and/or contribute to international peace operations and stabilization missions with the United Nations, NATO and other multilateral partners. Engage in capacity building to support the security of other nations and their ability to contribute to security and the security of Canadians abroad. Assist civil authorities and non-governmental partners in responding to international and domestic disasters or major emergencies.

Planning highlights

To deliver on Canada’s defence objectives, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) must be able to undertake its eight core missions, as set out in Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), to ensure Canada remains Strong at home, Secure in North America and Engaged in the world.

The Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) conducts operations at home, across North America, and around the world. CJOC directs missions from planning to conclusion, and ensures national strategic goals are met. To ensure continued mission success, the CAF will innovate through initiatives, such as the Joint Targeting enterprise which improves DND/CAF’s ability to gather and analyse information, determine targets, develop plans to achieve operational and strategic objectives and, ultimately, achieve our goal. The CAF will plan, execute, measure and adjust, while remaining flexible to respond to the unforeseen. This will be reinforced by a culture of teamwork and respect.

The CAF will continue to strengthen its collaboration with other government departments and agencies working on the front lines of Canadian national security and reinforce efforts to advance the evolution of joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance. The CAF will continue to foster interoperability and strengthen intelligence sharing relationships in the spirit of reciprocity. CJOC’s role in conducting intelligence continues to grow in response to the increasing demands, complexity of the global security environment, and the expanding scope of support required for possible new Joint Operating Areas.

The CAF will assume an assertive posture in the domain of cyber by developing the capabilities to conduct active cyber operations against potential adversaries in the context of government-authorized military missions.

A changed security environment demands that the CAF enhances its ability to operate in the Arctic. The CAF will conduct training and presence operations while seeking to improve mobility and enhance surveillance capabilities in Canada’s North. This increased familiarity and situational awareness will enable the success of CAF operations in this harsh operating environment.

Planned Costs for Major Canadian Armed Forces Operations^{Footnote ix} and information on current CAF operations and exercises^{Footnote x} are available on the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces website. 

Key Corporate Risk(s)

There are no key corporate risks associated with the Operations core responsibility at this time.

Departmental Result 1.1 – Canadians are protected against threats to and attacks on Canada

• Maintain a continuous watch over Canada’s land mass, air and maritime approaches, and space and cyber domains to take action against threats before they reach Canadian shores and to respond appropriately to contingencies and requests for assistance.
• Assume an assertive posture in the cyber domain by hardening our defences, and by improving the capability to conduct active cyber operations against potential adversaries in the context of government-authorized military missions.
• The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command remain positioned to identify, confront and defeat threats to Canadians and Canadian interests at home and abroad through a cooperative joint interagency and multinational approach.
• As a key partner in Canada’s National Security community, the CAF will strengthen its collaboration with, and support to other government departments and agencies to improve the nation’s ability to detect, deter and degrade threats to Canadians and Canadian interests.
• Respond to a range of domestic emergencies by providing military support to civilian organizations on national security and law enforcement matters, such as rapid disaster response, medical evacuations and other humanitarian incidents, if requested by the responsible provincial, territorial or municipal authority.

Planned results

Departmental Result 1.2 – People in distress receive effective search and rescue response

• Focus on our primary responsibilities of providing aeronautical Search and Rescue and coordinating the aeronautical and maritime Search and Rescue system, as well as assisting in ground Search and Rescue efforts which include Canadian Rangers and Primary Reserve members.

Planned results

Departmental Result 1.3 – Canada’s Arctic sovereignty is preserved and safeguarded 

• Enhance the mobility, reach and footprint of the CAF in Canada’s North through increased support to operations, exercises, and demonstrating the ability to project and sustain forces in the region.
• Conduct a series of capability building activities across the Arctic region throughout the year, improving CAF’s readiness to operate in the North and improving interoperability with international and whole-of-government mission partners – Operation NANOOK.
• Key activities include: exercising a whole-of-government response to a safety incident scenario in the Yukon; interagency presence activities in the Northwest Passage; maritime presence, community relations and support to other government departments and agencies; and High Arctic training.
• Advance interoperability, situational awareness and information sharing initiatives through collaboration with NORAD and USNORTHCOM, NATO engagements, the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable and the Arctic Security Working Group.
• Increase CAF surveillance of the Arctic, working with NORAD to develop options to renew the North Warning System and progressing DND/CAF’s All Domain Situational Awareness project.
• Achieve Initial Operating Capability of the Nanisivik Naval Facility, a dedicated Government of Canada docking and refueling facility in the Arctic, in 2019.
• Leverage the CAF Arctic Training Centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, a permanent and strategic base, to better protect the High Arctic; to pre-position equipment and vehicles, as well as a command post for emergency operations and disaster response in support of civilian authorities and further support Northern operations and exercises.
• The Canadian Army (CA) Arctic strategy “Northern Approaches – the Army Arctic Concept 2021” remains the overarching CA plan to support SSE’s Arctic initiatives. It will be refreshed and reissued with an expanded horizon beyond 2021.

Planned results

Departmental Result 1.4 – North America is defended against threats and attacks

• Collaborate with our allies, regional partners and other Canadian government departments in order to detect, confront and defeat trans-regional threats, including from violent extremist organizations, before they reach our borders. This includes multiple regional capacity-building initiatives with partners around the globe.
• Provide coordinated binational delivery of maritime and aerospace warning and aerospace control capabilities to protect and respond against threats to North America, through the NORAD Agreement. Warning entails the binational awareness of the aerospace domain through the monitoring of global aerospace activities and maintaining situational awareness in the air and space domains.
• Respond in times of crisis or to unauthorized airborne activities. The NORAD Contingency Plan (CONPLAN) is a binational plan that outlines flexible warning response options to deter, detect and, if necessary, defeat threats to North America, for both Canadian and American assets. NORAD CONPLAN 3310 will undergo a thorough review in 2019. Processes and procedures in response to unauthorized civilian aircraft activity, in and within the approaches to North America are explicitly articulated in NORAD CONPLAN 3310 and are executed under Operation NOBLE EAGLE.
• In support of the Evolution of North American Defence (EvoNAD) Study, NORAD, USNORTHCOM and CJOC through applicable combined joint planning teams, will analyze current plans, initiatives and emerging threats in the Aerospace, Space and Land Domains, as well as any other identified domains. Following the analysis, the combined joint planning teams will develop the associated chapters of the EvoNAD Study, in which recommendations to close the gaps and seams will be made. Staffing and approval of these chapters, as well as the final approvals for the Maritime and Cyber chapters, are expected to occur in 2019.
• As part of Operation CARIBBE, provide CAF resources to include personnel, Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS), and aircraft to Operation MARTILLO, a United States-led Joint Interagency Task Force – South effort by the nations of the Western Hemisphere and Europe to prevent illicit trafficking by transnational organized crime in the Caribbean Basin, the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and the coastal waters of Central America. 

Operation CARIBBE

Operation CARIBBE takes place in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Under this operation, Canada sends CAF ships and aircraft to help Operation MARTILLO. This United States-led effort involves fourteen countries and aims to stop illicit trafficking.

Planned results

Departmental Result 1.5 – Canadian Armed Forces contribute to a more stable and peaceful world

• In support of NATO assurance and deterrence measures:
  • Deploy maritime, land and periodic air forces under Operation REASSURANCE with the aim of promoting security and stability in the regions of Central and Eastern Europe; and
  • Provide force elements to, and command a robust multinational battlegroup in Latvia as one of the four Framework Nations (alongside Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States) supported by the Task Force Latvia Headquarters.
• Based on the government’s announcement to rejoin NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System program, support the Alliance’s ability to conduct long-range aerial surveillance, and to command and control forces from the air by contributing to the program’s Operations and Support budget.
• Continue to support NATO operations in Kosovo under Operation KOBOLD, to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Continue to play a leadership role in Operation ARTEMIS, and fulfill our commitment to Combined Task Force 150 for the conduct of counter-terrorism and maritime security operations across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region.
• Through Operation IMPACT, DND/CAF remains a committed partner to the multinational coalition to dismantle and defeat Daesh, by:
  • Contributing to a whole-of-government approach to security, stabilization, humanitarian and development assistance in response to the crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on Jordan and Lebanon;
  • Focusing our efforts on training, intelligence and aiding humanitarian support in Iraq and Syria; and
  • Responding to coalition needs.
• Under the rubric of the Multinational Joint Commission, continue to provide military training and capacity building to Ukrainian forces’ personnel under Operation UNIFIER to support Ukraine’s efforts to maintain sovereignty, security, and stability. Focus primarily on tactical soldier training, also known as small team training, which consists of individual weapons training, marksmanship, reconnaissance, tactical movement, explosive threat recognition, communication, combat survival, and ethics training.
• Continue the CAF’s initiative to incorporate training for Ukrainian police teams on how to better respond to gender-based violence and ensure that policewomen have access to Canadian training on modern policing techniques.
• In response to the 2018 Fall Reports of the Auditor General of Canada, the CAF plans to increase the number of pilots and maintenance personnel as a critical capability for the CAF. This will increase the CAF’s capability to control Canada’s vast airspace and contribute to international operations at the same time.
• Play an important role in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping in contribution to broader government objectives and whole-of-government efforts to prevent conflict, stabilize fragile situations and combat threats. Some of the capabilities we have available to UN peace operations are as follows:
  • Tactical airlift support to help the UN address critical gaps around the ability to transport troops, equipment, supplies, and food to support ongoing missions and the rapid deployment of UN forces; and
  • Operation PRESENCE: Deployment of an Air Task Force consisting of CAF personnel, four armed CH-146 Griffon, and two medium CH-147 Chinook helicopters in support of MINUSMA located in Gao, Mali until 31 July 2019.
• To enhance overall effectiveness of UN Operations, the CAF’s commitment to the Elsie Initiative^{Footnote xv}; the CAF will endeavour to ensure a minimum of 15% of its personnel deployed on UN missions will be women. Further, as part of the same initiative, the CAF, along with Ghana and Zambia will be undertaking a Barrier Assessment to identify institutional barriers to the full participation of women, specifically in peacekeeping operations.
• Develop and implement innovative training for peace operations, by helping to enhance the overall effectiveness of UN operations, including through support for the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations. Training support will include:
  • A new Canadian Training and Advisory Team to work with partner nations before and more importantly, during a deployment to enhance their contribution to a given mission; and
  • Activities to meet UN needs in various training centres and schools, as well as contributions to mobile training teams.
• CAF members will continue to operate in maritime environments globally, enhancing relationships with Canada’s allies and partners. The deployment of sailors, ships, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft supports the defence policy goals of increasing Canada’s understanding and active involvement in the world, as well as building partner capacity in support of peace and stability. Operation PROJECTION^{Footnote xvi} demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to global peace.
• Continue to promote peace, stability and a rules-based international order in the Asia-Pacific through contributions to security on the Korean Peninsula, presence and capacity building efforts throughout the region as well as engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with the aspiration of eventually gaining membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
• Support the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and his work as Chair of the Women, Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network for FY 2019-20. The CDS will foster the network and advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda on an international scale. Canada intends to support this initiative through conducting and assisting with training, sharing of best practices, exploring novel issues such as Counter-Violent Extremist Organizations and gender and facilitating open discussion between members of the Women, Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network.
• Work in close collaboration with Global Affairs Canada. DND/CAF will continue to develop international engagements with a view to advancing Canada’s broader foreign policy objectives to achieve a more peaceful and stable world.
• Maintain increased situational awareness, enabling early strategic warning of emerging crises, in conjunction with our NATO partners and Five Eyes allies (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States), via timely and credible intelligence processing, exploitation and dissemination.
• Incorporate gender perspectives into defence planning. Continue to integrate guidance provided from UN Security Council Resolutions, the Canadian National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, NATO policy and guidance and Government of Canada direction on Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) into CAF’s planning and operations and expand into the wider CAF institution.

Planned results

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)

Human resources (full-time equivalents)