Key Issues

• Operation AEGIS was the Canadian Armed Forces contribution to Canada’s effort to evacuate Canadian citizens and Afghans eligible for resettlement between July 30 and August 27, 2021.
• The Canadian Armed Forces provided strategic airlift, including CC-130J Hercules, CC-150 Polaris, and CC-177 Globemaster aircraft, aircrew, and support staff that worked around the clock to evacuate Kabul.
• Across the region, approximately 555 Canadian Armed Forces members directly supported the evacuation efforts.
• Many of these members were deployed to the region from Canada, while the rest were temporarily re-tasked from other operations in the region, such as Operation IMPACT.
• These efforts ensured the successful evacuation of 3,700 people from Kabul between 4 and 26 August, 2021.

If pressed on defence relations with Allies and partners:

• Canada’s defence relations with Allies and regional partners were key to ensuring the success of our evacuation efforts.
• For instance, thanks to our close working relationship with Kuwait, the Canadian Armed Forces were able to support the evacuation of Kabul from their territory.
• The evacuation “air bridge” also required close coordination with the US and 13 coalition partners to ensure that the maximum number of planes were able to depart from the airport in Kabul.

If pressed on cooperation with NGOs and veteran’s groups:

• National Defence leveraged networks of veteran’s groups and NGOs to help identify the Special Immigration Measures applicants who had assisted Canadian Armed Forces’ operations in Afghanistan.
• These applicants were then referred to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for an eligibility review under the Special Immigration Measures program.

• The Canadian Armed Forces worked tirelessly, alongside Allies and partners, to safely evacuate as many people as possible from Kabul.
• As part of the multi-national air bridge, Canada was guaranteed only one landing time each day.
• However, these efforts facilitated the successful air evacuation of 3,700 people from Kabul between 4 and 26 August, 2021.
• When determining how many passengers to load onto an aircraft, our aircrew had to account for a number of different factors to ensure that planes could safely reach their destination.
• Our aircraft were configured to carry the maximum number of people, and we updated this configuration to accommodate additional people whenever possible.
• For example, weather, fuel, cargo, and weight considerations fluctuated with each type of aircraft, and with each trip.
• The extremely strict airport schedule set by the host country was also a major factor in determining flight capacity, as planes were continuously landing and departing, leaving very little time to load passengers.
• To maximize the number of those evacuated, we coordinated closely with our Allied partners to fill aircraft rapidly, and optimize the number of planes that could land at Kabul’s airport.

• National Defence recognizes the crucial sacrifices made by Afghans who supported our mission in Afghanistan.
• On 23 July, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a Special Immigration Measures program to offer a pathway to citizenship for those Afghans at-risk due to their association with the Government of Canada.
• National Defence supports this effort by, when requested by Global Affairs Canada or NGOs, validating whether or not an Afghan applicant worked alongside the Canadian Armed Forces.
• After validation, National Defence refers the applicant to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for eligibility review under this program.
• As this is an immigration policy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada retains full authority to accept or deny a referral submitted by National Defence.
• National Defence continues to assist the Whole-of-Government effort resettle 40,000 Afghans in Canada.

If pressed on accepting additional applications or complaints about processing applications

• National Defence does not have authority to increase or decrease the amount of applicants received into the program, alter the process, or approve applications.
• As this is an immigration policy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada retains full authority over this program.
• They are responsible for the online web platform, processing requests, timelines, and increasing the limit of applications.

• Throughout Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, Afghans associated with the Government of Canada played critical roles supporting the Canadian Armed Forces mission and our members.
• National Defence works in support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to validate whether Afghan applicants to the Special Immigration Measures program have a significant and/or enduring relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces.
• For example, many former and current Canadian Armed Forces members came forward, or were contacted individually, to confirm Afghans’ relationships to the Canadian Armed Forces.
• Additionally, NGOs and advocacy groups provided lists of potential applicants to National Defence in an effort to help identify Afghans who worked side-by-side with the Canadian Armed Forces.
• Once National Defence validates an applicant’s relationship they are referred to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for eligibility screening under the Special Immigration Measures program.
• National Defence continues to assist the Whole-of-Government effort to resettle 40,000 Afghans in Canada.

If pressed on National Defence’s role supporting applications of Afghans associated with the Government of Canada:

• National Defence supports Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Special Immigration Measures program by validating the relationship of Afghan applicants with the Canadian Armed Forces.
• As this is an immigration policy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada retains full authority to accept or deny a referral submitted by National Defence.

• Relationships with Allies and partners, alongside credible intelligence, are critical to the success of any military operation.
• When indications of a deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan became known in spring 2021, the Canadian Armed Forces ramped up cooperation with Allies and regional partners.
• For example, the Canadian Armed Forces exchanged intelligence assessments with Allies, and coordinated Canadian embassy evacuation plans with other embassies’ security staff.
• Additionally, throughout 2020 and 2021, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command provided ongoing intelligence briefs on the developing situation in Afghanistan.
• These briefings helped inform Canadian Armed Forces and Whole-of-Government planning efforts that were underway to address the deteriorating situation.
• On July 27, the Department of National Defence received a joint request for assistance from Global Affairs Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
• Then on August 4, following approval of the request for assistance, the Canadian Armed Forces began evacuation flights from Kabul.
• Despite enormous challenges, the Canadian Armed Forces, working in lockstep with Allies and partners, helped conduct an historic airlift, facilitating the evacuation of 3,700 people from Afghanistan.

If pressed on evacuation of Afghans with association the Government of Canada:

• National Defence supports Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada by validating applicants to the Special Immigration Measures (SIMs) program who are believed to have a relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces.
• National Defence has leveraged networks of veteran’s groups and NGOs to help identify the Special Immigration Measures applicants who had assisted Canadian Armed Forces’ operations in Afghanistan.
• Once National Defence validates an applicant’s relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces, they are referred to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for eligibility screening.
• National Defence continues to assist the Whole-of-Government effort to resettle 40,000 Afghans in Canada.

• In the lead up to and during Op AEGIS, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command provided regular briefings to senior leaders within the Defence Team on the situation in Afghanistan.
• For example, throughout 2020 and 2021, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command provided regular updates to Defence Team seniors on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
• During summer 2021, intelligence briefings warned of the Taliban’s growing momentum and plausible risk of a potential sudden collapse.
• This intelligence was also shared regularly with other government departments, as well as the Minister of Global Affairs and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
• As well, the intelligence helped inform Canadian Armed Forces and Whole-of-Government planning efforts that were underway.
• Finally, throughout this process, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command remained in lock step with Allies and partners to share intelligence, information, and develop assessments.

• Canada has always stood ready to answer the call of our allies, and contribute to international peace and security.
• In the wake of the September 11th attacks, Canada took part in the United Nations-sanctioned and NATO-led mission to address terrorism in Afghanistan and help Afghans re-build their country.
• In Afghanistan, the Canadian Armed Forces conducted three principal operations: APOLLO, ATHENA, and ATTENTION, which focused on establishing and enhancing security in the region, driving out insurgent groups, training Afghan security forces, and delivering programs and projects.
• Canada’s whole-of-government effort included a substantial military force, as well as diplomats, development workers, police officers, and experts in human rights, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.
• Over the course of the mission, more than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan, making it Canada’s largest deployment since the Second World War.
• It was also one of the most costly, as 158 men and women in uniform gave their lives in service to Canada, and thousands more carry physical and mental scars from their service.
• The whole-of-government Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team worked with local authorities to encourage reform initiatives and coordinate development projects.
• The last members of the Canadian Armed Forces left Afghanistan in March, 2014, ending Canada’s military mission but leaving behind a legacy of courage, sacrifice and support.

• On October 7, 2001, in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced Operation APOLLO, Canada’s contribution of air, land, and sea forces to the international campaign against terrorism. 
• Canada quickly sent warships to the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf to help defend US Navy ships, and support counter-terrorism activities at sea and military operations in Afghanistan.
• The deployment soon became Canada’s largest naval commitment since the Second World War, with 15 different ships participating over the course of the operation.
• At the task force’s peak in January 2002, Canada deployed six warships and 1,500 personnel at one time.
• In Afghanistan, Canadian ground forces were integrated into US military formations, and worked alongside American forces to drive the Taliban from their strongholds.
• The Royal Canadian Air Force deployed aircraft with a range of capabilities, and were essential for assisting with medical evacuations, intelligence gathering, and resupply and transport.
• For example, between 2001 and 2002, Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft carried more than 3.4 million kilograms of cargo, transported 2,300 passengers, and logged over 4,300 flying hours.
• Thanks to the courage and dedication of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canada played an important role in the early stages of the international campaign against terrorism.

• Operation ATHENA was Canada’s contribution to the International Security Assistance Force that aimed to establish the security required to promote development in Afghanistan.
• Between 2003 and 2005, the Canadian Armed Forces provided an infantry battle group and command element for the multinational brigade that provided security in the capital, Kabul.
• At its peak, the Canadian battle group included nearly 3,000 personnel who established and enhanced security in the region, drove out insurgent groups, and delivered programs and projects.
• In 2005, the Canadian Armed Forces re-deployed to Kandahar province to fight the growing insurgency.
• The whole-of-government Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team worked with local authorities to encourage reform initiatives and coordinate development projects.
• As well, teams of Canadian Armed Forces members and civilian police forces worked alongside Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police units to deliver training.
• Canada’s military mission in Kandahar ended on December 31, 2011, and the Canadian Armed Forces re-deployed to Kabul to train the growing Afghan National Security Forces.

• Operation ATTENTION was Canada's contribution to the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan, which provided training and professional development to Afghan national security forces.
• Canada provided the deputy commanding general to this NATO-led training mission and the Canadian Armed Forces made up the second largest contingent of staff.
• Through Operation ATTENTION, Canada helped establish basic recruit training institutions and played a key role in training more than 160 Afghan Kandaks or battalion-sized units.
• Canadian Armed Forces members also provided specialized training in medicine, logistics, signals and air operations.
• These efforts were undertaken to further professionalize the security forces of Afghanistan, and prepare them to take responsibility for their own security.