Activities

Activities – Domestic

Military Assistance to Civilian Authorities and Law Enforcement

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• One of the eight core missions of the Canadian Armed Forces in Strong, Secured, Engaged is to provide assistance to civil authorities and law enforcement, including counter terrorism, in support of national security and the security of Canadians abroad.
• Civil authorities and law enforcement can submit a request for military assistance when there is a need for unique military skills and capabilities. Following the receipt of the request, the Minister of National Defence makes the decision to employ the Canadian Armed Forces.
• The Canadian Armed Forces provide support to civil authorities and law enforcement to a number of requests, this includes:
  • security for official travel by Canadian officials to high risk areas;
  • support for major events in Canada (i.e. Royal visits, North American Leaders Summit, G7 Summit);
  • at sea surveillance of vessels suspected of transporting illegal narcotics or illegal fishing; and
  • assistance to Indigenous communities.
• Some requests require operations run on a regular basis, this includes:
  • Operation SABOT: The Royal Canadian Air Force provides aircraft and crews to support the RCMP identify illegal marijuana grow-ops from the air.
  • Operation DRIFTNET: The Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft and crews patrol the North Pacific Ocean with Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials to look for signs of illegal fishing.

Canadian Armed Forces Response to Climaterelated Disasters

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• Provincial and territorial authorities respond to natural disasters in Canada.
• Provinces and territories can submit a request for military assistance to the federal Minister of Public Safety, when there is a need for unique military skills and capabilities. Following the receipt of the request, the Minister of National Defence makes the decision to employ the Canadian Armed Forces.

Canadian Rangers

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The Canadian Rangers provide patrols and detachments for national security and public safety missions in sparsely settled northern, coastal and isolated areas of Canada.

Review of the Canadian Rangers Program

• In 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces launched a comprehensive review of the Canadian Rangers’ organization and structure. This was broken down into four phases:
  • Phase 1: Organization and Policy Review
  • Phase 2: Command and Control, Manning
  • Phase 3: Financial and Personnel Administration
  • Phase 4: Resource and Infrastructure
• Based on a detailed analysis, it was recommended that the Canadian Rangers increase to an additional 29 Patrols and 11 Sections between 2018 and 2022.
• Funding was requested and approved for an additional 12 Patrols in 2018-19 and 9 Patrols in 2019-20, with the remaining growth expected in future years.

Canadian Ranger Rifle

• The new C-19 Canadian Ranger rifle started being issued in April 2018. The rifle is based on the Finnish-designed SAKO Tikka T3 compact tactical rifle, and is being manufactured by Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ontario.
• The current Lee Enfield No. 4 rifle will be phased out. The Cadets have been authorized by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff to retain 9,600 rifles for drills and ceremonial activities, and the Treasury Board Secretariat has authorized the donation of rifles to Rangers.

Activities – Continental

NORAD Modernization

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a bi-national military organization established in 1958 by Canada and the United States to monitor and defend North American airspace.
• Today, NORAD provides the capability to exercise effective surveillance of continental approaches and operational control of Canadian and U.S. airspace and, since 2006, this includes a maritime warning mission. Given the size of Canada’s airspace, bi-national warning and defence cooperation through NORAD provides a cost-effective way to meet critical defence objectives and safeguard Canadian sovereignty.
• NORAD missions are conducted on a daily basis across the continent. Key contributions to collective defence include northern sovereignty operations, missile launch detection and warning, and, increasingly, support to Head of State visits and high profile events (i.e. Vancouver 2010 Olympics, G8/G20 Toronto and G7 Charlevoix). Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, NORAD created Operation NOBLE EAGLE which provides the response to asymmetric air security threats occurring within North America, such as civilian aircraft being used as a weapon.
• Canada contributes financial, physical, and human resources to NORAD including:
  • approximately 300 Canadian Armed Forces personnel posted to Canadian Element NORAD (CANELEMNORAD) serving in the following locations across the US; Alaska, Washington, New York, Colorado, Oklahoma, Florida and California;
  • fighter aircraft on alert and air-to-air refueling tankers on high readiness status;
  • the operation and maintenance of the Canadian portion of the North Warning System of radars; and
  • three forward locations in Inuvik, Iqaluit and Yellowknife to support fighter operations in the North.
• The global security environment is evolving rapidly and presents a variety of threats to North America. In Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada committed to work with the United States to modernize NORAD to meet existing and future challenges.

North Warning System

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The North Warning System is a key NORAD capability and constitutes a chain of radar sites across northern Canada and Alaska established to detect and enable an early response to potential threats to North America approaching from the north. The North Warning System is expected to reach the end of its original estimated operational life as early as 2025.
• Through Strong, Secure, Engaged the Government committed to collaborate with the United States on the development of new technologies to improve Arctic surveillance and control, including the renewal of the North Warning System.
• National Defence is investing more than $100 million in the All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) Science and Technology Program. This will allow National Defence to identify, assess, and develop technologies to support potential surveillance solutions for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface, and sub-surface approaches to Canada, particularly in the Arctic.
• Canada and the United State established the Bi-National Steering Group, whose primary function is to facilitate the governance of a replacement capability for the North Warning System.
• Canada is also working with the United States on the first-ever bi-national Northern Approaches Surveillance Analysis of Alternatives, studying innovative technological solution to airspace surveillance.

Canadian Armed Forces Activities in The Arctic

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details Operations in The North

• Canada’s operations in the North include:
  • OP BOXTOP: The Bi-annual resupply of Canadian Forces Station Alert and Fort Eureka.
  • OP LIMPID: The routine, and contingency, domestic surveillance and control in Canada’s air, maritime, land, and space domains.
  • OP NANOOK: A signature Arctic training operation, reinforces the Canadian Armed Forces as a key partner and expert in Arctic safety, security, and defence. OP NANOOK is the overarching operation which is composed of four annual sub-components.
  • OP NEVUS: An annual operation to perform maintenance on the High Arctic Data Communications System.

Canadian Armed Forces Capabilities in the Arctic

• Modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces capabilities in the Arctic include acquiring six new Arctic and Offshore Patrol ships, and supporting the modernization of the Inuvik Airport runway to, among other things, improve military aircraft landing systems.
• In Strong, Secured, Engaged, National Defence committed to acquiring next generation surveillance aircraft, remotely piloted systems for use in the Arctic, and a number of all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and larger tracked vehicles optimized for use in the Arctic.

Arctic and Northern Policy Framework

• On 10 September 2019, Canada’s Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs announced the release of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. This new framework is intended to be the long-term vision for federal activities in the Canadian and circumpolar Arctic through to 2030 and includes the security challenges and risks faced by Canada in the Arctic. The framework is consistent with Strong Secured, Engaged.

Conducting Search and Rescue

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• Search and rescue is a shared responsibility among federal, provincial/territorial and municipal organizations, as well as air, ground, and maritime volunteer organizations.
• To facilitate the conduct of aeronautical and maritime search and rescue incidents in Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces provides aeronautical services, while the Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for the provision of maritime services.
• Ground search and rescue operations are outside the Canadian Armed Forces mandate; however, they may assist province and territories during ground operations when requested.
• The Canadian Armed Forces devotes approximately 950 personnel to provide search and rescue services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Royal Canadian Air Force operates in three search and rescue regions:
  • Halifax: covers eastern Québec, Atlantic Canada, and the waters of the North Atlantic.
  • Trenton: covers from the British Columbia-Alberta border to the North Pole and Québec City.
  • Victoria: covers British Columbia, the Yukon, and a portion of the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

Activities – International

Peacekeeping and Smart Pledges

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

Un Peacekeeping and Smart Pledges

• Canada is committed to supporting UN peacekeeping by providing high-value military capabilities to address capability gaps in UN peacekeeping operations, in partnership with other contributing countries. Canada’s contributions will help sustain international peace and security.
• On November 14-15, 2017, Canada hosted the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in Vancouver, where Canada committed to deliver a number of “Smart Pledges” to provide specialized military capabilities to UN peace support operations. These include:
  • an Aviation Task Force of medium utility and armed helicopters;
  • tactical airlift support to transport troops, equipment, and supplies to UN missions; and
  • a Quick Reaction Force, comprised of a reinforced company with corresponding equipment.
• In addition, Canada committed to develop and implement innovative peace support operations training, including through a Canadian Training and Advisory Team that will work with the Ghanaian Armed Forces before and during their UN deployment as part of the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, as well as contributions to mobile training teams and activities to meet UN needs in various training centres and schools.
• From August 2018 to August 2019, Canada delivered on its first “Smart Pledge” by providing two Chinook and four Griffon helicopters, as well as 250 personnel, to conduct aeromedical evacuations and tactical airlift in support of UN forces in Mali. During this period, Canada delivered approximately 2 million pounds of cargo, and transported 3,700 passengers. Canada assisted Romania in the takeover of this mission in August 2019, by providing intra-theatre airlift to deploy its personnel into theatre and a Canadian Armed Forces transition team to assist them in their operational preparations.
• The Canadian Armed Forces is currently delivering on another pledge by providing a Hercules aircraft that is conducting tactical airlift out of Entebbe, Uganda, to help sustain UN operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. This is currently an episodic mission of 30 hours per month.

Leadership of NATO Training Mission and Other Activities in Iraq (Operation IMPACT)

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• Canada works with partners in the region to set the conditions for stability and security in Iraq. The Canadian Armed Forces supports the Global Coalition to degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh, as well as the NATO training mission in Iraq.
• In support of these activities, up to 850 Canadian Armed Forces members are deployed at one time in numerous command, support, training, advisory, and assistance roles.

Canada’s Support to the Global Coalition

• Under the command and control of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, the Canadian Armed Forces in Iraq contribute to US-led Operation Inherent Resolve through embedded personnel in the headquarters, support to Coalition air operations including deployment of tactical airlift (Hercules) and transport helicopters (Griffon), and tactical training to the Iraqi Security Forces.
• Infantry teams, combat engineers, and highly specialized members from the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command also provide training to Iraqi security forces, to assist in developing their military skills.
• The Canadian Armed Forces also support operations to counter Daesh in the Middle East by building security capacity in Lebanon and Jordan.

NATO Training Mission in Iraq

• As part of the NATO training and capacity building mission in Iraq, Canadian Armed Forces members are deployed to Baghdad and the surrounding area.
• Canada contributes the command team, a force protection company, advisors and trainers, mission headquarters staff, and a helicopter detachment to the NATO training mission in Iraq.
• On June 26, 2019, Canada announced the extension of its command of the NATO training mission in Iraq until November 30, 2020. Following completion of its command, the Canadian Armed Forces will continue contributing military assets to the NATO training mission in Iraq until March 31, 2021.

Leadership of Nato Battle Group in Latvia and Other Activities in Eastern Europe (Operation REASSURANCE)

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The Canadian Armed Forces supports assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe through Operation REASSURANCE. The Canadian Armed Forces is contributing to NATO land, maritime, and air measures.

Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia

• Canada is leading a NATO Battle Group in Latvia with military members from eight other nations, including: Albania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
• Approximately 540 members are deployed on an ongoing basis as part of this Battle Group, including headquarters staff, an infantry company with light armoured vehicles, military police, and logistical and communications support. The Battle Group conducts collective training, serving to bolster interoperability between NATO militaries.
• In July 2018, the Prime Minister announced that Canada is extending its NATO commitment in Latvia by another four years to March 2023 and would boost the number of troops in the country to 540 (from 455) in a show of ongoing solidarity with the Alliance.

Maritime Task Force

• Canada contributes one frigate to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, conducting assurance measures and surveillance in the Mediterranean. Canada is currently leading the Standing NATO Maritime Group two in the Mediterranean until December 16, 2019.

Air Task Force

• Canada is contributing to a peacetime collective air policing mission to safeguard the integrity of NATO airspace.
• Five CF-188 Hornets and approximately 135 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel are currently serving on its fourth deployment in Romania since 2014.

Proposed Peacekeeping Operation in Ukraine

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• In 2015, Canada launched its military training mission in Ukraine in response to requests from the Government of Ukraine. Approximately 200 Canadian Armed Forces members are deployed at one time to Ukraine on a rotational basis. The Canadian Armed Forces provide Ukrainian Security Forces with specialized training to help them maintain stability and security. This includes military engineering and military police training, combat medical training, as well as mentorship and guidance.
• The Canadian Armed Forces provides this valuable training to Ukrainian security forces, alongside the United States, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden, to coordinate training, equipping, and capacity building efforts.

Contribution to Implementation of un Sanctions Against North Korea (Operation NEON)

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. The series of UN sanctions, imposed between 2006 and 2017, aim to pressure North Korea to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs, and respond to North Korean nuclear weapon tests and ballistic missile launches.
• During 2019, 2020, and into 2021, Canada will periodically deploy military ships, aircraft, and personnel to conduct surveillance operations to identify suspected maritime sanctions evasion activities, in particular ship-to-ship transfers of fuel, coal, and other commodities banned by the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
• Canadian Armed Forces members participate in this effort alongside our likeminded allies and partners.

Multinational Effort

• During the January 2018 Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula, Canada and other partners committed to:
  • work collectively, with partners in the region and globally, to ensure effective implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea;
  • share information with partners and with the UN Panel of Experts responsible for sanctions related to North Korea, in order to combat sanctions evasion; and
  • counter North Korea’s maritime smuggling in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

International Port Visits and Naval Presence (Operation PROJECTION)

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The Canadian Armed Forces deploys ships, submarines, aircraft, and personnel to support naval presence operations and engagements with foreign partners.
• The Royal Canadian Navy conducts port visits in coordination with Global Affairs Canada and the relevant Canadian Embassies. These visits help build Canada’s overall diplomatic efforts, in conjunction with National Defence’s defence diplomacy efforts.
• In 2019, the Canadian Armed Forces deployed a total of three ships to conduct port visits and training in Asia-Pacific region:
  • HMCS OTTAWA to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Guam.
  • HMCS REGINA to the Philippines, Singapore, Seychelles, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Fiji, and Guam.
• MV ASTERIX to Guam, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, and Australia.

Contribution to the U.S.-led Mission to Prevent Illegal Trafficking in The Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean (Operation CARIBBE)

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The Canadian Armed Forces contribute to reducing illegal trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean through Operation CARIBBE. The Canadian Armed Forces deploy vessels, aircraft, and personnel in support of Operation MARTILLO, a U.S.-led effort involving fourteen countries, to counter illicit trafficking.
• Canadian Armed Forces vessels (including frigates, and Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels) provide a support role in Operation MARTILLO, by assisting in the detection and monitoring of targets of interest. Canadian Armed Forces vessels do not directly conduct law enforcement activities or participate in interdiction and embarkation of targets, unless there is a safety of life at sea concern. U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments embarked on Canadian ships use small boats to board and search suspect vessels. If contraband is found, suspects are held on their own vessel until their transfer can be arranged to a U.S. Coast Guard ship. The Aurora aircraft patrols international airspace covering the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean to detect and track vessels.
• Since 2006, the Canadian Armed Forces has contributed to the disruption or seizure of approximately 102.7 tonnes of cocaine.
• In spring 2019, two Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (HMCS Yellowknife and HMCS Whitehorse), and one long-range patrol aircraft (Aurora) assisted with three drug interceptions, seizing approximately 2,657 kilograms of narcotics.
• From November 19 to December 9, 2019, one long-range patrol aircraft (Aurora) along with a detachment of 25 Royal Canadian Air Force members based out of El Salvador.
• The next maritime iteration is anticipated between February and May 2020, involving two Kingston Class vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Allegations of Mistreatment of Detainees by U.S. NAVY

• In a limited number of circumstances involving safety of life at sea, detained persons may be brought onto a Canadian Armed Forces vessel. In such a case, these detainees remain in the care, custody, and control of the U.S. Coast Guard.
• In 2018, the CBC reported that the Royal Canadian Navy may have been complicit in the alleged mistreatment of detainees by the U.S. Navy during the U.S.-led Operation MARTILLO. These allegations were determined to be unfounded. Since the allegations, National Defence has undertaken an extensive assessment of our participation in Operation CARIBBE, developed an enhanced framework for detainee handling and transfer, and engaged with our American counterparts on the matter.
• A Memorandum of Understanding, signed in October 2010, sets out the most recent arrangement under which the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments operate with Canadian warships.

Operation ARTEMIS

Key Facts

Strong, Secure, Engaged

Details

• The Canadian Armed Forces are working to counter terrorism and provide maritime stability through Operation ARTEMIS. Through this operation, the Canadian Armed Forces is contributing to a naval partnership of 33 nations, which leads missions to stop terrorism at sea, as well as criminal activities funding terrorism.
• This multi-national naval partnership, established by the United States in 2001, is comprised of three Combined Task Forces: Combined Task Forces 150 (maritime security), Combined Task Forces 151 (counter-piracy), and Combined Task Forces 152 (Arabian Gulf security and cooperation).
• Canada has been promoting peace and security in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region since 2001, first through Operations APOLLO and ALTAIR, and most recently through Op ARTEMIS, Canada’s contribution to Combined Task Forces 150 since 2012.
• The renewal of Op ARTEMIS until April 2021, announced May 29, 2017, authorizes the Canadian Armed Forces, on order of the Chief of the Defence Staff, to:
  • Deploy up to 375 personnel to the Area of Operations, which includes the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean
  • Seek command of Combined Task Forces 150 twice during the four year mandate
  • Provide a Halifax-class frigate once every two years and a CP-140 Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft once each year, and
  • Enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 2317 related to the arms embargo and the ban on the import and export of charcoal into or out of Somalia.
• Canada took command of Combined Task Forces 150 in November 2018 and was replaced by Pakistan in April 2019. The CP-140 Aurora aircraft was deployed from 1 Apr to 11 Apr as part of Combined Task Forces -150.
• HMCS Regina and MV ASTERIX provided support to Combined Task Forces 150 until 16 May 2019.
• As of December 5, 2019, 7 Canadian Armed Forces personnel are deployed to CTF 150 HQ in Bahrain to support Australia’s command until April 2020.