July 22, 2020 – Appearance by the Minister of National Defence
Advice to the Minister – Canadian Armed Forces Assistance to Long Term Care Facilities
Question: Why has the Canadian Armed Forces left long term care facilities when staff still need their help?
- The Canadian Armed Forces have provided unwavering support to Canadians across the country throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- We mobilized approximately 1,700 personnel to provide support to long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario.
- Over the past two and half months, Canadian Armed Forces efforts made a difference in a total of 54 long-term care facilities – 47 in Quebec and 7 in Ontario.
- Thanks to their hard work, the situation in all of these homes has stabilized.
- I am pleased to report that all Canadian Armed Forces members who contracted COVID-19 as a result of their work in long fully recovered.
- Going forward, a rapid response team stands ready to deploy to Quebec facilities, if required.
If pressed on proposed military information campaign
- As part of the Canadian Armed Forces support for the Government’s response to COVID-19, military officials developed an Information Operations plan.
- While the planning document was mistakenly issued on April 8, 2020, it was suspended on April 13, 2020 and formally rescinded on May 1, 2020.
- Furthermore, the annex was suspended well before the Canadian Armed Forces commenced activities in support of Long Term Care Facilities.
- The annex did not authorize the use of assets such as psychological operations or military deception that may occasionally be used on overseas operations against an adversary.
- The Canadian Armed Forces would never use such capabilities during a domestic operation where there is no domestic authority to do so nor an adversary.
If pressed on information collection by Precision Information Teams
- The Canadian Armed Forces respects the privacy of Canadian citizens at all times.
- Specialized teams – Precision Information Teams – collected publicly available information on regions where Canadian Armed Forces personnel would likely deploy.
- This included general geographic and demographic information, as well as information on the spread of COVID-19 in these regions.
- The gathering and analysis of this information complements data from across government and allows the Canadian Armed Forces to anticipate where, when, and how they might be needed.
Quick Facts
Location of CAF assistance in LTCF
- Quebec: CAF personnel worked with provincial partners to deliver support in a total 47 facilities in and around Montreal.
- 35 facilities on the island of Montreal
- 5 facilities on the south shore of Montreal
- 7 facilities in Laval
- Ontario: CAF personnel worked with provincial partners to deliver support in a total of 7 facilities in and around Toronto.
- 2 facilities in North York
- 1 facility in Brampton
- 1 facility in Etobicoke
- 1 facility in Pickering
- 1 facility in Scarborough
- 1 facility in Woodbridge
COVID-19 cases within the CAF population providing support in LTCF
- Total: 55 cases
- Active: 0
- Resolved: 55
Information Operations Plan
- On April 8, 2020, Canadian Joint Operations Command issued a fragmentary order to Operation LASER, which included the addition of an Information Operations Annex.
- The issuing of an Information Operations Annex for Operation LASER was a mistake.
Precision Operations Teams
- Joint Task Force Central Precision Information Teams collected publicly available information on regions where CAF personnel would likely deploy. This included geographic and demographic information, data on the spread of COVID-19, as well as information on medical facilities and other relevant organizations.
- CAF assistance to Canadians during OP LASER was enabled by these activities.
Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Canadian Joint Operations Command.
July 22, 2020
Advice to the Minister – Canadian Armed Forces Support to the Whole-of-Government Response to COVID-19
Question: What is the Canadian Armed Forces doing to help Canadians in response to COVID-19?
- The Canadian Armed Forces have been a key part of the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the start.
- In March the Prime Minister announced the mobilization of up to 24,000 Regular and Reserve members to help Canadians at home.
- From April to July, Canadian Armed Forces efforts made a difference in a total of 54 long-term care facilities – 47 in Quebec and 7 in Ontario.
- Going forward, a CAF contingency response team stands ready to deploy to Quebec facilities, if required.
- Currently, National Defence is providing limited continued support to Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Partners.
- Canadian Rangers are deployed throughout northern and remote areas to conduct local awareness and support tasks.
- Canadian Armed Forces liaison and planning teams remain assigned to Public Safety and Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Canadian Armed Forces personnel continue to stand ready to assist Canadians.
- National Defence will continue to work with all levels of government to provide the support Canadians need, when they need it.
If pressed on proposed military information campaign
- As part of the Canadian Armed Forces support for the Government’s response to COVID-19, military officials developed an Information Operations plan.
- While the planning document was mistakenly issued on April 8, 2020, it was suspended on April 13, 2020 and formally rescinded on May 1, 2020.
- Furthermore, the annex was suspended well before the Canadian Armed Forces commenced activities in support of Long Term Care Facilities.
- The annex did not authorize the use of assets such as psychological operations or military deception that may occasionally be used on overseas operations against an adversary.
- The Canadian Armed Forces would never use such capabilities during a domestic operation where there is no domestic authority to do so nor an adversary.
If pressed on information collection by Precision Information Teams
- The Canadian Armed Forces respects the privacy of Canadian citizens at all times.
- Specialized teams – Precision Information Teams – collected publicly available information on regions where Canadian Armed Forces personnel would likely deploy.
- This included general geographic and demographic information, as well as information on the spread of COVID-19 in these regions.
- The gathering and analysis of this information complements data from across government and allows the Canadian Armed Forces to anticipate where, when, and how they might be needed.
Quick Facts
Operation LASER preparations
- As CAF continues to return to routine business activities, the Regular, Reserve and Canadian Ranger Forces remain on standby to quickly respond to requests from the Government of Canada at a moment’s notice.
Information Operations Plan
- On April 8, 2020, Canadian Joint Operations Command issued a fragmentary order to Operation LASER, which included the addition of an Information Operations Annex.
- The issuing of an Information Operations Annex for Operation LASER was a mistake.
Precision Operations Teams
- Joint Task Force Central Precision Information Teams collected publicly available information on regions where CAF personnel would likely deploy. This included geographic and demographic information, data on the spread of COVID-19, as well as information on medical facilities and other relevant organizations.
- CAF assistance to Canadians during OP LASER was enabled by these activities.
Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Canadian Joint Operations Command.
July 22, 2020
Advice to the Minister – Modernization of Victoria Class Submarines
Question: Why is the Government failing to provide the Canadian Armed Forces new and modern equipment, including new submarines?
- Victoria-class submarines are key strategic assets for conducting surveillance of Canadian and international waters.
- These assets have intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance capabilities, and serve to deter to potential adversaries.
- Modernizing these vessels remains the most effective means of ensuring continued submarine operations for the Navy into the 2030s.
- Modernization will allow our submarines to continue to covertly monitor situations at home and abroad, and conduct longer missions.
- It will also enable them to serve as critical protection for our sea-based forces, providing an unmatched sovereign defence and security capability.
If pressed on the return to service of the submarines
- Operating in unforgiving environments requires submarines to undergo maintenance to sustain capabilities and ensure safety.
- Since 2019, all submarines have undergone planned maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, which are essential for a submarine’s operational cycle.
- While work on the Victoria-class submarines has been impacted by COVID-19, work has resumed at a reduced rate and should continue as health and safety restrictions are being lifted.
- Our goal is to return the submarines to sea as soon as this maintenance work is completed.
Quick Facts
- Victoria-class submarines in the Royal Canadian Navy fleet: 4.
- Return to Service: Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the remaining work to be completed, the intent is to return the submarines to sea through 2020 to 2022.
- Sustainment costs for the Victoria-class fleet of submarines: approximately $325M/year.
- Modernization program funding range: $1-4.99B.
- Project status of the modernization program: Options analysis phase.
Note: The return to service aligns with information provided in National Defence’s response to Q-456.
Responsible Principals: Royal Canadian Navy, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel).
July 22, 2020
Advice to the Minister – Canadian Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Reporting on COVID-19
Question: When did the Canadian Armed Forces warn the Government about the coronavirus, and why did they not take action?
- Within National Defence, we have a team that evaluates threats from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.
- This group of medical and intelligence experts focuses on potential threats to our military personnel and their operations.
- Since the first indications of the outbreak on December 31, 2019, National Defence has worked closely with other government departments, as part of a Whole of Government effort.
- All relevant information and analysis was briefed to senior officials in a timely manner, with copies of briefing material made available to other departments and agencies, including the Public Health Agency.
- Since January, National Defence has also participated in interdepartmental discussions related to COVID-19.
- We continue to work collaboratively with our partners to ensure that we are basing our decisions on the best advice available.
Quick Facts
- On January 2, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada alerted all federal departments and provincial authorities of the spread of COVID-19.
- On January 14, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada convened a meeting of the Canadian Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health.
- On January 17, 2020, the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command delivered its first written briefing to the Minister of National Defence.
- On January 27, 2020, the Government convened an incident Response Group to follow the issue.
Note: This timeline aligns with National Defence’s response to Q-430.
Responsible Principals: Canadian Forces Intelligence Command.
July 22, 2020
Advice to the Minister – Canadian Armed Forces Stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment
Question: Why is this Government not ensuring our military personnel have the personal protective equipment they need to do their jobs safely?
- National Defence’s stockpile of medical-grade personal protective equipment is centrally tracked, maintained, and managed by the Canadian Forces Health Services Group.
- Stockpiles of medical-grade personal protective equipment remained stable in the early months of the pandemic, as military personnel provided assistance in response to COVID-19.
- Since then, we have acquired additional supplies of medical-grade personal protective equipment for the Canadian Armed Forces.
- National Defence will continue to closely monitor these stockpile levels to ensure that the military has the equipment it needs to carry out its important work in support of Canadians.
Quick Facts
- On March 31, 2020, National Defence’s stockpile contained:
- 5,955 gowns;
- 1,509,600 surgical masks;
- 106,353 N95 masks;
- 1,731,700 pairs of gloves; and,
- 2,346 face shields.
- As of May 11, 2020, the Canadian Forces Health Services Group has received an additional:
- 600 gowns;
- 1,500 surgical masks;
- 1,200 N95 masks;
- 224,825 medical-grade gloves; and
- 10,560 face shields.
Note: These figures were released as part of National Defence’s response to Q-425 and Q-431.
Responsible Principals: Military Personnel Command, Strategic Joint Staff.
July 22, 2020
Advice to the Minister – Addressing Hateful Conduct and Discrimination in the Canadian Armed Forces
Question: When will the Government start taking racism and discrimination within the Canadian Armed Forces seriously and address the problem?
- Hateful conduct and discrimination are totally incompatible with Canadian values and our military ethos.
- This is why the Canadian Armed Forces recently published a new directive on hateful conduct.
- The directive clearly defines hateful conduct, and demonstrates how such conduct is unacceptable within its ranks.
- All members now have a clear understanding of hateful conduct so they can identify and report it.
- In addition, a new tracking system will help ensure our military has the capability to identify and track any suspected incidents within the organization.
- If any member, including the chain of command, is found to be contravening this directive, the Canadian Armed Forces will act decisively – respecting the rule of law and due process.
If pressed on changes to ‘Seaman’ rank titles
- To ensure an inclusive environment that is representative of Canadian society, the Royal Canadian Navy is making changes to Seaman rank titles.
- Through an online poll, the Royal Canadian Navy is currently consulting its members and the public on the rank title changes.
- The results of the online poll will be incorporated into our decision making.
Quick Facts
The new Defence Administrative Order and Direction (DAOD) on Hateful Conduct:
- The DAOD on hateful conduct, issued on July 10, 2020, provides a definition, and policy direction regarding requirements, compliance and consequences for members and the chain of command.
- DAOD definition of hateful conduct: An act or conduct, including the display or communication of words, symbols or images, by a CAF member, that they knew or ought reasonably to have known would constitute, encourage, justify or promote violence or hatred against a person or persons of an identifiable group, based on their national or ethnic origin, race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics or disability.
Royal Canadian Navy rank title changes:
- On July 17, 2020 The Royal Canadian Navy launched an online poll open to the public and Canadian Armed Forces members to vote on Seaman rank title changes, including replacing "seaman" with "sailor", and/or "able" and "leading" with "sailor first class" and "sailor second class". The online poll also provides an option to suggest alternative terms.
Responsible Principals: Military Personnel Command, Royal Canadian Navy, Judge Advocate General.
July 21, 2020
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