Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS; French: chef d'état-major de la Défense; CEMD) is the title of the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the senior military position, the CDS advises the Cabinet, particularly the minister of national defence and the prime minister. The position is a Crown-in-Council appointment made on the advice of the prime minister.
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👉 Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; French: Forces armées canadiennes, FAC) are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the National Defence Act, the Canadian Armed Forces are an entity separate and distinct from the Department of National Defence (the federal government department responsible for the administration and formation of defence policy), which also exists as the civilian support system for the forces.
The commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces is Charles III, who is represented by the Governor General. The chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces, who under the direction of the minister of national defence and together with the assistance of the Armed Forces Council, manages the operations of the Canadian Armed Forces.
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
- 👉 Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Canadian Armed Forces
- Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Canadian Army
- Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Minister of National Defence (Canada)
- Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Armed Forces Council (Canada)
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Canadian Army
The Canadian Army (French: Armée canadienne) is the branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) responsible for conventional land operations. As of 2024, it includes about 22,500 Regular Force personnel, 21,500 reservists, and 5,300 Canadian Rangers. Headquartered at NDHQ Carling in Ottawa, it maintains bases and facilities across Canada. The Army is led by the Commander of the Canadian Army, under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Staff.
The Army traces its roots to the colonial-era Canadian militia, though nearly all of its existing units were established after the Militia Act of 1855, which created the Active Militia in the Province of Canada. Shortly after Confederation, the Active Militia became Canada's sole functional military force, participating in several conflicts before being renamed the Canadian Army during the Second World War. It was reorganized as Force Mobile Command in 1965, ahead of the 1968 unification of Canada's military. Renamed Land Force Command in 1992, it reverted to the Canadian Army name in 2011.
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Minister of National Defence (Canada)
The minister of national defence (MND; French: ministre de la défense nationale) is a minister of the Crown in the Cabinet of Canada responsible for the management and direction of all matters relating to the national defence of Canada.
The Department of National Defence is headed by the deputy minister of national defence (the department's senior civil servant), while the Canadian Armed Forces are headed by the chief of the Defence Staff (the senior serving military officer). Both are responsible to the minister of national defence. The King (represented by the governor general of Canada) is Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces and has final authority on all orders and laws for the "defence of the realm".
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) in the context of Armed Forces Council (Canada)
The Armed Forces Council is the senior military body of the Canadian Armed Forces. It meets to advise and assist the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) on all matters concerning the command, control, and administration of the forces, and generally meets once per month. It was created in 1964 to replace the Chiefs of Staff Committee in preparation for the 1968 unification of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Council is chaired by the CDS and consists of the following positions: