Additional Notes – Issues of Interest to NDDN

CAF Operations in the Indo-Pacific

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Indo-Pacific Strategy

• Global Affairs Canada is the lead on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which was announced on November 27, 2022.
• Through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, National Defence is investing in the following initiatives to support the defence and security in the region over the next five years, including:
  • $369.4 million dollars to enhance Canada’s naval presence in the region and increase the number of frigates it deploys each year, from two to three;
  • $48.7 million dollars to increase the CAF’s participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional allies and partners;
  • $68.2 million to launch a new Canadian-led military capacity-building program, offering mentorship and expertise to our partners by delivering training directly to partner forces in the region; and
  • $6.5M to establish four new full-time civilian positions across the Indo-Pacific to support discussions with allies and partners on defence and security.
• National Defence will also play a key role in a whole-of-government cyber initiative (of $2.6M) by providing military-to-military advice and lessons learned to countries that are developing and refining their cyber security strategies.

Operation PROJECTION

• As part of Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada committed to being a reliable player in the Indo-Pacific region through consistent engagement and strong partnerships.
• Since 2017, the Royal Canadian Navy has achieved consistent presence in the Indo-Pacific under Op PROJECTION.
• Canadian warships regularly deploy to work with our allies and like-minded partners, including by conducting joint transits and exercises under Op PROJECTION, as well as contributing to the multinational effort of monitoring UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea under Op NEON.

RIMPAC

• From June 29 to August 4, 2022, HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Vancouver, (each with embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters), and two CP-140 Aurora Long range patrol Aircraft aircraft, participated in RIMPAC, the world’s largest naval exercise. Canada also occupied key leadership positions, including Deputy Command of Combined Task Force RIMPAC, Command of the Combined Force Air Component, and Deputy Command

Operation NEON

• Launched in 2019, Op NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to monitor UN Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. These 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.
• Under Op NEON, the CAF deploys warships, aircraft, and shore-based staff to conduct surveillance operations to identify suspected maritime sanctions evasion activities, in particular ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other commodities banned by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. This contribution bolsters the integrity of the global sanctions regime against North Korea, enhances regional peace and stability, and supports the rules-based international order.
• Authorities for Op NEON will expire at the end of April 2023, with authority renewal currently underway.

Interactions with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force Aircraft

• On several occasions, interactions occurred between a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft and aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
• These interactions occurred in international airspace during UN-sanctioned missions.

Recent Indo-Pacific Operational Highlights

• HMCS Vancouver transited the Taiwan Strait northbound with the US Destroyer, USS Higgins, on September 20, 2022.
• From August 4 to December 5, 2022, HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Vancouver operated extensively throughout the Western Pacific, including the South China Sea.

Defence Policy Update

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Cyber Capabilities

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Cyber Mission Assurance Program

• Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) directed the creation of the Cyber Mission Assurance Program. It is part of the cyber capability to protect critical military networks and equipment from cyber threats. Platforms like aircraft, ships, and vehicles are becoming increasingly dependent on cyberspace. The Cyber Mission Assurance Program ensures that cyber resilience is a primary consideration when new equipment is procured.
• Cyber threats pose unique challenges in projecting and sustaining military power. The changing global environment and the increasing dependence on cyberspace technologies demands a significant change in our culture. The introduction of cyber-resiliency mindset in all our activities is required for the CAF to maintain its competitive advantage. The Cyber Mission Assurance Program focuses on managing the risks associated with cyber threats, to improve resilience, and increase the probability of mission success.

Defensive Cyber Operations

• CSE may use defensive cyber operations to defend Canada against foreign cyber threats by taking online action. This authority can also be used to defend systems designated by the Minister of National Defence as being of importance to the Government of Canada, such as energy grids, telecommunications networks, healthcare databases, banking systems, and elections infrastructure.

Offensive Cyber Operations

• SSE committed the Canadian Armed Forces to assuming a more assertive posture in the cyber domain by hardening its defences, and by conducting offensive cyber operations against potential adversaries as part of government-authorized military missions.

• As outlined in section 19 of the CSE Act, the active cyber operations aspect of CSE’s mandate is to carry out activities on or through the global information infrastructure to degrade, disrupt, influence, respond to, or interfere with the capabilities, intentions or activities of a foreign individual, state, organization, or terrorist group as they relate to international affairs, defence, or security.

Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Operator

• SSE directed the creation of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Operator occupation. This trade includes both Reserve and Regular Force members who conduct both defensive and offensive cyber operations with the goal of supporting operational objectives and delivering tactical effects.

Canadian Armed Forces and CSE Cooperation

• The Canadian Armed Forces and CSE have a long history of partnership in the development of highly technical and specialized capabilities that support Canadian Armed Forces operations.
• These activities are subject to CSE’s rigorous system of internal policies and procedures as well as independent oversight and review.
• Cooperation between the Canadian Armed Forces and CSE ensures the best use of tools and capabilities, reduces unnecessary duplication of efforts, leverages each other authorities, and improves the chances of meeting mission objectives.

CSE and its Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

• Recent geopolitical events have elevated the potential risk of cyber threats, as outlined in the 2023-2024 National Cyber Threat Assessment.
• CSE continues to publish advice and guidance to help organizations be less vulnerable and more secure. It works with industry partners, including government and non-government partners, to share threat information and cyber security best practices.
• Cyber security is a whole-of-society concern, and the federal government works together with other jurisdictions, small-and-medium sized organizations, as well as critical infrastructure network defenders to raise Canada’s cyber security bar.
• If Canadian companies have been impacted by cyber threats, they are urged to contact cyber.gc.ca.

Privacy Protections and Safeguards

• CAF cyber operations are approved by the Government on a mission-by-mission basis consistent with the employment of other military assets, and will be subject to the same rigour as other military uses of force.
• CSE is prohibited by law from directing its cyber or intelligence activities at Canadians or any person in Canada and must not infringe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This prohibition is clearly defined in its legislative powers and extends to its foreign intelligence and cyber operations mandate to ensure that Canadian Charter obligations and the privacy of Canadians are respected and preserved.
• Cyber operations conducted under CSE authorities require the Minister of National Defence to issue a Ministerial Authorization, which requires either consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs (for defensive cyber operations) or at the request of or with the consent of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (for active cyber operations). In conducting cyber operations, Canada recognizes the importance of adhering to international law and agreed norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. Canada’s authorities and governance framework to conduct cyber operations is supported by strong independent and parliamentary review process, as well as internal oversight for operational compliance.

Recruitment and Retention

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House Standing Committee on National Defence: Recruitment and Retention Study

• On April 4, 2022, the House Standing Committee on National Defence launched its study on recruitment and retention in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Committee tabled its report on June 22, 2022.
• In the report, the Committee lists 16 recommendations for National Defence, highlighting five broad themes in the areas of: 1) Culture change, 2) Diversity and inclusion, 3) Improving the recruitment process, 4) Supports to military families and easing the burden of service, and 5) DND/CAF Ombudsman independence.
• On October 20, 2022, National Defence tabled the Government Response to the Committee’s Modernizing Recruitment and Retention in the Canadian Armed Forces report.

Current Programs and Initiatives

• National Defence implements a broad range of proactive and targeted recruitment programs aimed at increasing the representation of women, visible minorities, and Indigenous Peoples in the Canadian Armed Forces. These programs and initiatives include:
  • Operation GENERATION, an ongoing mission to meet employment equity goals, reduce enrolment times, and modernize recruiting activities;
  • The Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Entry Program, a three-week hands-on experience program for Indigenous Peoples who are considering a career in the CAF;
  • The Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year provides Indigenous participants with exposure to the CAF military and academic disciplines. Enrolled and paid as Officer Cadets, participants experience university-level educational and leadership opportunities at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario;
    • It is the only Indigenous program focused on developing potential officers. Participants are enrolled into the Regular Force as Officer Cadets;
  • Multiple six-week paid Primary Reserve Indigenous Summer Programs, which integrate cultural teachings with military training.
    • Participants who successfully complete a program are granted the CAF Army Reserve Basic Military Qualification.
• To improve retention, work is also underway to improve the CAF’s employment model and provide flexible career options, such as:
  • reducing the burden of relocation through the Seamless Canada Initiative;
  • component transfers (Regular Force to Primary Reserve and Primary Reserve to Regular Force);
  • flexible or interim work policies; and
  • modernizing the nature of full-time and part-time employment within the CAF.
• Permanent Residents: The Canadian Forces Recruiting Group accepts trained applicants from foreign militaries. These applicants include pilots, logistics officers, infantry officers and other skilled professionals, who may become enrolled in the CAF if they have permanent resident status in Canada.
• The intent is to broaden the pool to enable other permanent residents, who meet the same criteria as Canadian citizens to enroll in the CAF as new recruits or officer cadets.
• The Chief of the Defence Staff signed a document on October 18, 2022, that reinforces existing policy and designates authority to the Commander Military Personnel Command and the Commander Canadian Forces Recruiting Group for the enrolment of a citizen of another country who has permanent resident status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Other Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

• Other diversity and inclusion initiatives include, but are not limited to:
  • Dress Instructions Update – this has eliminated binary uniform and appearance choices, allowing CAF personnel the freedom to choose the uniform that makes them most comfortable.
  • Inclusive Ranks in French – French versions of all designations of ranks now have official Gender Inclusive equivalents.
  • Women’s Health Framework – this aims to enhance women’s health care and increase knowledge of women’s health issues and topics within the military.
  • Post-natal Care – the CAF has released its first Nursing and Pumping Policy, which requires all Commanding Officers to establish a lactation plan to support their members.
  • Compassionate Leave Policy – this allows members to request new types of leave to account for pregnancy loss, family violence, and parents of young victims of crime, for example.
  • Training Needs Assessment – the most recent Training Needs Assessment addressing professional conduct was conducted in 2020. Results are being reviewed to develop an implementation plan. 
  • Women in Force Program – this program helps raise awareness about life in the CAF and gives women the opportunity to speak with current CAF members while experiencing different facets of a military lifestyle. Plans to run the program were put on hold due to the pandemic. The intent is to reinvigorate the program prior to the end of the 2022/23 fiscal year.

Canadian Armed Forces Retention Strategy

• On October 6, 2022, National Defence released the Canadian Armed Forces Retention Strategy, which is composed of three elements:
  • Better understanding the drivers that impact/hinder retention rates;
  • Outlining key considerations from leadership responsibilities, to flexible policies to effective communication; and
  • Identifying concrete levels of effort to guide a deliberate approach to this problem-set, including strengthening governance.

Reconstitution

Key Facts

Indigenous Relations

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Indigenous Engagement

• National Defence has a legal duty to consult with Indigenous governments when contemplating activities that may have an impact on Aboriginal or Treaty rights. However, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP), National Defence is looking to go beyond this duty to engage with Indigenous partners in a meaningful way to gain their perspectives and priorities.
• National Defence participated in the creation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy, which was co-developed with Inuit;
  • This policy directs federal departments and agencies to consider Inuit priorities, and engage early on projects, policies or initiatives that affect Inuit Nunangat.
• In April, 2022, National Defence formally joined the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee (ICPC) as a way to formalize and improve cooperation and collaboration with Inuit partners on sovereignty, defence, and security. ICPC Leaders Meetings at the Ministerial level, occurs three times a year. Once a year, it is co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the President Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), Natan Obed. ITK is the national organization that represents all Inuit. Collaboration is also ongoing at the working level to make progress on shared priorities through a Sovereignty, Defence and Security Working Group.
• In September 2022, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence attended the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework Leadership Committee meeting and presented to Northern Territorial and Indigenous leaders and other federal Ministers on NORAD modernization.
• In February 2023, following an incident in the Yukon involving the shooting down of a high-altitude object, National Defence engaged the ANPF All Partners Working Group, which is an officials’ level meeting, to provide Northern territorial and Indigenous partners with an update on the situation as well as a high-level, unclassified threat briefing on the Arctic.

Indigenous Reconciliation

• National Defence also supports reconciliation with Indigenous partners by facilitating the strategic implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and National Defence’s participation in the associated Implementation Action Plan.
• There are several key areas of UNDRIP that have specific implications for National Defence and reconciliation:
  • Deepening engagement and collaboration on areas of mutual interest;
  • Facilitating governance, self-determination and free, prior and informed consent; and,
  • Negotiating lands, territories and resources (including the environment and access).

Indigenous Investments

• The Government of Canada has implemented a mandatory target to have at least five percent of the total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. This target includes both infrastructure and materials procurement. Departments will be phased in to meet this new target, with National Defence onboarding in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
• National Defence has partnered with Defence Construction Canada to develop a Joint Indigenous Procurement Strategy, which included outreach and consultation with Indigenous communities and firms.
• North Warning System In-Service Support Contract:
  • On January 31, 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, awarded a contract to the Nasittuq Corporation, an Inuit majority-owned company, for the operation and maintenance of the North Warning System.
  • Contract value: The contract is for an initial period of seven years, and is valued at $592 million ($527 million before taxes). The contract also includes four two-year option periods for a total estimated value of $1.3 billion ($1.1 billion before taxes).
• Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert:
  • On October 3, 2022, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, awarded a contract to Nasittuq Corporation to provide support services to CFS Alert in Nunavut. The contract covers all support services for CFS Alert, including accommodations, food services, maintenance and operation of grounds and roads, buildings, fuel storage tanks, fire alarm systems, water and sewage treatment systems, and a quarry operation.
  • Contract value: The contract is valued at $122 million (excluding taxes) for an initial period of eight-and-a-half years.

Canadian Rangers

• The Canadian Rangers, many of which are Indigenous, are part of the Reserve force and provide surveillance and sovereignty patrols, conduct training and operations, and may be called upon to support provincial, territorial, and local authorities conduct ground search and rescue. .
  • Canadian Rangers provided immediate Ground Search and Rescue support 40 times in 2021.
• They also play a critical role in support of Indigenous communities, including during the pandemic through transportation and distribution of information and supplies, wellness checks, and staffing emergency centres. In addition, they provide evacuation support in the event of flooding and fires.