TheCanadian Armed Forces (CAF;French:Forces armées canadiennes,FAC) are the unifiedmilitary forces ofCanada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as theRoyal Canadian Navy,Canadian Army and theRoyal Canadian Air Force.[8] Under theNational Defence Act, the Canadian Armed Forces are an entity separate and distinct from theDepartment of National Defence (thefederal government department responsible for the administration and formation of defence policy), which also exists as the civilian support system for the forces.[9][10][11]
Thecommander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces isCharles III, who is represented by theGovernor General.[12][13][14] Thechief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces, who under the direction of theminister of national defence and together with the assistance of theArmed Forces Council, manages the operations of the Canadian Armed Forces.
In 2024, Canada's military expenditure totalled approximately US$29.3 billion, or around 1.3 percent of the country'sgross domestic product (GDP) — placing it 16th formilitary expenditure by country.[4] The Canadian Armed Forces are a professionalvolunteer force that consists of approximately 68,000 active personnel and 27,000 reserve personnel, with a sub-component of approximately 5,000 Canadian Rangers.[2]
Canada's peacekeeping role during the 20th century has played a major role in its positive global image.[15][16] Canada has long been reluctant to participate in military operations that are not sanctioned by theUnited Nations (UN),[17][18] such as theVietnam War or the2003 invasion of Iraq.[17][18] Since the 21st century, Canadian direct participation in UN peacekeeping efforts greatly declined, with its military participation reallocated to UN-sanctioned operations through theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).[19]
The CAF operates several other commands, includingCanadian Forces Intelligence Command,Canadian Joint Operations Command, andCanadian Special Operations Forces Command. Personnel may belong to either theRegular Force or the Reserve Force, which has four sub-components: thePrimary Reserve,Supplementary Reserve,Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, and theCanadian Rangers.
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Prior toConfederation in 1867, residents of the colonies in what is now Canada served as regular members of French and British forces and inlocal militia groups. The latter aided in the defence of their respective territories against attacks by other European powers,Indigenous peoples, and laterAmerican forces during theAmerican Revolutionary War andWar of 1812, as well as in theFenian raids,Red River Rebellion, andNorth-West Rebellion. Consequently, the lineages of some Canadian Army units stretch back to the late 18th century, when militia units were formed to assist in the defence ofBritish North America against invasion by the United States.
The responsibility for military command remained with theBritish Crown-in-Council, with acommander-in-chief for North America stationed inHalifax until the final withdrawal ofBritish Army andRoyal Navy units from the city in 1906. Thereafter, theRoyal Canadian Navy was formed, and, with the advent of military aviation, theRoyal Canadian Air Force. These forces were organized under theDepartment of Militia and Defence, and split into thePermanent andNon-Permanent Active Militias—frequently shortened to simplyThe Militia. By 1923, the department was merged into theDepartment of National Defence.
The first significant overseas deployment of Canadian military forces occurred during theSecond Boer War when several units were raised to serve under British command. Similarly, when the United Kingdom entered into conflict with Germany in theFirst World War, Canadian troops were called to participate in European theatres. Battles that are particularly notable to the Canadian military include theSecond Battle of Ypres, theBattle of the Somme, theBattle of Vimy Ridge, theSecond Battle of Passchendaele, as well as aseries of attacks undertaken by theCanadian Corps during theHundred Days Offensive.
During this period, a distinctly Canadian army and navy were established, followed by an air force, that, because of the constitutional arrangements at the time, remained effectively under the control of theBritish government until Canada gainedlegislative independence from the United Kingdom in 1931, in part due to the distinguished achievement and sacrifice of the Canadian Corps in the First World War.[20][21] In November 1940, the Canadian militia was formally renamed the Canadian Army. However, in the 1950s, Reserve Army forces were once again referred to in official documentation as "Militia", which, although rare, is still used to refer to part-time members.
Canadian Forces entered theSecond World War in September 1939, after theCanadian Crown-in-Council declared war onNazi Germany. Battles and campaigns during the Second World War that was particularly notable to the Canadian military include theBattle of the Atlantic, theBattle of Britain, theBattle of Hong Kong, theDieppe Raid, theinvasion of Sicily andItaly,Operation Overlord, theSiegfried Line Campaign,Operation Veritable, as well as thestrategic bombing of German cities.
Conscription for overseas service wasintroduced only near the end of the war, and only 2,400 conscripts made it into battle. At the end of the Second World War, Canada possessed the fourth-largest air force and fifth-largest naval surface fleet in the world.[22] At one point, Canada was thought to have the third-largest navy in the world, but with the fall of theSoviet Union, new data based on Japanese and Soviet sources found that to be incorrect.[23]
Since 1947, Canadian military units have participated in more than 200 military operations in the world, andcompleted 72 international operations. Canadian soldiers, sailors, and aviators are considered world-class professionals through conspicuous service during these conflicts and the country's integral participation inNATO during theKorean War,First Gulf War,Kosovo War, and in United NationsPeacekeeping operations, such as theSuez Crisis,Golan Heights, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Libya.
Canada operated an aircraft carrier from 1957 to 1970 during the Cold War. It never engaged in combat but participated in patrols during theCuban Missile Crisis.
The current iteration of the Canadian Armed Forces dates from 1 February 1968,[24] when theRoyal Canadian Navy,Canadian Army, andRoyal Canadian Air Force were merged into a unified structure and superseded by elemental commands, known as Air Command, Land Force, and Maritime Command. On 16 August 2011, the names for the three elemental commands were reverted to their historical predecessor, although the unified structure of the Canadian Armed Forces was maintained.[25][26]
Deployment of Land Forces during this period has included NATO efforts in Europe, peacekeeping operations within United Nations-sanctioned conflicts and combat missions. The Canadian Forces deployed in Afghanistan until 2011, under the NATO-led United NationsInternational Security Assistance Force (ISAF), at the request of the Government of Afghanistan.
The Forces have also deployed domestically to provide aid during emergencies and natural disasters. Over 8,500 military personnel were sent to Manitoba after the1997 Red River flood to help with evacuation, building dikes, and other flood-fighting efforts.[27] The operation was considered a "public relations bonanza" for the military.[28][29][30] The Forces were also deployed after theNorth American ice storm of 1998, with relief efforts beginning on 8 January, after the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec requested aid.[31] Over 16,000 troops were deployed, making it the largest deployment of troops ever to serve on Canadian soil in response to anatural disaster,[29] and the largest operational deployment of Canadian military personnel since theKorean War.[32] The Forces were also deployed to British Columbia from 3 August to 16 September 2003, as a part ofOperation Peregrine. The operation was conducted after the province was overwhelmed by 800 separate forest fires, and the provincial government requested federal aid. Over 2,200 soldiers were mobilized, and at its height, more than 2,600 military personnel participated in the 45-day operation.[33]
The Constitution of Canada gives the federal government exclusive responsibility for national defence, and expenditures are thus outlined in thefederal budget. For the 2007–2010fiscal year, the amount allocated for defence spending wasCA$6.15 billion which is 1.4 percent of the country's GDP.[34][35] This regular funding was augmented in 2005 with an additional CA$12.5 billion over five years, as well as a commitment to increasing regular force troop levels by 5,000 persons, and the primary reserve by 4,500 over the same period.[36] It was further augmented in 2010, with another CA$5.3 billion over five years being provided to allow for 13,000 more regular force members, and 10,000 more primary reserve personnel, as well asCA$17.1 billion for the purchase of new trucks for the Canadian Army, transport aircraft and helicopters for the Royal Canadian Air Force, andjoint support ships for the Royal Canadian Navy.[37]
In 2008, the Government of Canada began efforts, through the "Canada First Defence Strategy", to modernize the Forces, through the purchase of new equipment, improved training and readiness, as well as the establishment of theCanadian Special Operations Regiment. More funds were also put towards recruitment, which had been dwindling throughout the 1980s and 1990s, possibly because the Canadian populace had come to perceive the Forces as peacekeepers rather than as soldiers, as shown in a 2008 survey conducted by the Department of National Defence. The poll found that nearly two-thirds of Canadians agreed withthe country's participation in the invasion of Afghanistan, and that the military should be stronger, but also that the purpose of the forces should be different, such as more focused on responding tonatural disasters.[38] Then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)Walter Natynczyk said later that year that, while recruiting has become more successful, the Forces was facing a problem with its rate of loss of existing members, which increased between 2006 and 2008 from 6% to 9.2% annually.[39]
Renewal and re-equipment efforts have resulted in the acquisition of specific equipment (main battle tanks, artillery, unmanned air vehicles and other systems) to support the mission in Afghanistan. It has also encompassed initiatives to renew certain so-called "core capabilities" (such as the air force's medium-range transport aircraft fleet—theC-130 Hercules—and the army's truck and armoured vehicle fleets). In addition, new systems (such asC-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft andCH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters) have also been acquired for the Forces.[40]
Canada has served in over 50 peacekeeping missions, including everyUnited Nations (UN)peacekeeping effort from its inception until 1989.[41] More than 125,000 Canadians have served in international peacekeeping operations, with approximately 130 Canadians having died during these operations.[42] Canada's support formultilateralism andinternationalism has been closely related to its peacekeeping efforts.[43][44][45] Canada actively promotesits domestically shared values through itsforeign affairs engagements.[46][47]
Canada's role in the development of and participation inpeacekeeping during the 20th century led to its reputation as a positivemiddle power.[48][49] Canada's successful role in mediating the 1956Suez Canal Crisis gave it credibility and established it as a country fighting for the common good of all nations.[50][51] The Canadian public came to identify the nation's peacekeeping role as the country's top contribution in international affairs.[52][53][54]
Canada faced controversy over its involvement in some peacekeeping efforts resulting in a military reassessment in the late 1990s.[55] By the 21st century, Canadian direct participation in UN peacekeeping efforts greatly declined, with its military participation reallocated to UN-sanctioned operations through theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).[56] This military reallocation resulted in a shift towards more militarized and deadly missions, rather than traditional peacekeeping duties.[57]
In the 1950s, the recruitment of women was open to roles in medicine, communication, logistics, and administration. The roles of women in the CAF began to expand in 1971 after the department reviewed the recommendations of theRoyal Commission on the Status of Women, at which time it lifted the ceiling of 1,500 women personnel, and gradually expanded employment opportunities into the non-traditional areas—vehicle drivers and mechanics, aircraft mechanics, air-traffic controllers, military police, and firefighters.[58]
The department further reviewed personnel policies in 1978 and 1985, after Parliament passed theCanadian Human Rights Act and theCanadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As a result of these reviews, the department changed its policies to permit women to serve at sea in replenishment ships and a diving tender, with the army service battalions, in military police platoons and field ambulance units, and most air squadrons.[59]
In 1987, occupations and units with the primary role of preparing for direct involvement in combat on the ground or at sea were still closed to women: infantry, armoured corps, field artillery, air defence artillery, signals, field engineers, and naval operations. On 5 February 1987, the minister of national defence created an office to study the impact of employing men and women in combat units. These trials were called Combat-Related Employment of Women.[59]
All military occupations were open to women in 1989, except submarine service, which opened in 2000. Throughout the 1990s, the introduction of women into the combat arms increased the potential recruiting pool by about 100 percent.[59] Women were fully integrated into all occupations and roles by the government ofJean Chrétien, and by 8 March 2000, even allowed to serve on submarines.[59]
All equipment must be suitable for a mixed-gender force. Combat helmets, rucksacks, combat boots, and flak jackets are designed to ensure women have the same level of protection and comfort as their male colleagues. Women's uniforms are similar in design to men's uniforms, but conform to the female figure, and are functional and practical. Women are also provided with an annual financial entitlement for the purchase of bras.[59]
In 2019, theNational Post columnistChristie Blatchford reported, per an anonymous source, that the CAF had been fulfilling employment equity targets for internal job postings by secretly rejecting applications from white males, and by not requiring Indigenous candidates to either write or pass, the Canadian Forces Aptitude Test. However, Brigadier-General Virginia Tattersall (commander of military forces generation, including the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group [CFRG]) said, "There are no occupations that we restrict based on gender", though "diversity is a consideration" and near the end of the recruiting year, "We will look at diversity applicants first."[60]
In March 2021, Lieutenant-Colonel Eleanor Taylor resigned citing sexual misconduct among the top brass.[61] Since then, the CAF has been under pressure over allegations of sexual misconduct. Former justiceLouise Arbour, who was tasked to lead a probe into military harassment and sexual misconduct claims in CAF in 2021, issued 48 recommendations to change the culture of the CAF. She said that she saw no basis for the CAF to retain the jurisdiction over sexual offences as it has not improved efficiency, discipline and morale.[62]
TheCrown has long occupied a central position in the Canadian Armed Forces. TheNational Defence Act states that "the Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada, consisting of one service called the Canadian Armed Forces"[63] and theConstitution Act, 1867, vestscommand-in-chief of the Forces in thecountry's sovereign,[12] who, since 1904, has authorized his or herviceroy, thegovernor general, to exercise the duties ascribed to the post of commander-in-chief and, since 1905, hold the associated title.[64][65] All troop deployment and disposition orders, includingdeclarations of war, fall within theroyal prerogative. They previously were issued asorders-in-Council, which must be signed by either the monarch or governor general, but since 1992 deployments have been authorised by the cabinet (until 2003) or by a letter of the prime minister.[66] Under theWestminster system's parliamentary customs and practices, however, the monarch and viceroy must generally follow theadvice of his or herministers inCabinet, including theprime minister and minister of national defence, who are accountable to the electedHouse of Commons.
The Canadian Forces' 92,600 personnel are divided intoa hierarchy of numerous ranks ofofficers andnon-commissioned members. The governor general appoints, on the advice of the prime minister, the chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as the highest-rankingcommissioned officer in the Armed Forces and its commander. In this role, the CDS heads theArmed Forces Council, which also includes the vice chief of the Defence Staff and the commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force,Canadian Joint Operations Command,Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, as well as certain other designated personnel. The Armed Forces Council generally operates fromNational Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) inOttawa, Ontario. The sovereign and most other members of theCanadian Royal Family also act ascolonels-in-chief, honoraryair commodores,air commodores-in-chief, admirals, and captains-general of Canadian Forces units, though these positions are ceremonial.
The Canadian Forces operate out of 27Canadian Forces bases (CFB) across the country, including NDHQ. This number has been gradually reduced since the 1970s with bases either being closed or merged. Both officers and non-commissioned members receive their basic training at theCanadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School inSaint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Officers will generally either directly enter the Canadian Armed Forces with a degree from a civilian university or receive their commission upon graduation from theRoyal Military College of Canada. Specific element and trade training is conducted at a variety of institutions throughout Canada, and to a lesser extent, the world.
As of 2013, the Canadian Forces have 68,000 Regular Force members and 27,000reservists, bringing the total force to approximately 95,000.[67] These individuals serve on numerousCanadian Forces bases in all regions of the country and are governed by theQueen's Regulations and Orders and theNational Defence Act.
TheCanadian Army is the land component of the Canadian Armed Forces, organized intofive geographic divisions that command brigade groups and their subordinate combat and support units, enabling the generation and deployment of land forces for domestic and international operations.
TheRoyal Canadian Navy is the maritime component of the Canadian Armed Forces, organized into two operational fleets, Atlantic and Pacific supported by naval aviation, training, and shore-based establishments, and responsible for generating and deploying naval forces for domestic and international operations.
| Name | Region | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Staff Headquarters | NDHQ Carling | ||
| Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) | Pacific Ocean | CFB Esquimalt | |
| Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARANT) | Atlantic Ocean | CFB Halifax | |
| Naval Reserve Headquarters | Canada | Quebec City |
TheRoyal Canadian Air Force is the air and space component of the Canadian Armed Forces, organized intonumbered air divisions and wings that command flying squadrons and support units, enabling the generation and employment of air power for domestic and international operations.
| Name | Mission | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Wing Kingston | Integrated tactical aviation support | 400 THS,403 HOTS,408 THS,430THS,438THS,450THS | CFB Kingston |
| 2 Wing Bagotville | RCAF’s air expeditionary wing | 2 MSS, 2 AETS, 2 OSS, 4 CES, 8 ACCS, 2 ASOS, 14 CES | CFB Bagotville |
| 3 Wing Bagotville | General purpose, multi-role, combat capable forces | 425 TFS,433 TFS,439 CSS, 12 RS, 3 AMS, 3 Wing ARF, FOL Iqaluit | CFB Bagotville |
| 4 Wing Cold Lake | General purpose, multi-role, combat capable forces | 401 TFS,409 TFS,417 CSS,410 TFOTS,419 TFTS,42 RS, 10 FTTS, 1 AMS, 4 Wing ARF, FOL Inuvik, FOL Yellowknife | CFB Cold Lake |
| 5 Wing Goose Bay | NORAD operations, power projection | 444 CSS, 5 Wing ARF, FOL Goose Bay | CFB Goose Bay |
| 8 Wing Trenton | Aerial refueling, tactical and strategic airlift, search and rescue, VIP transportation | CFS Alert,426 TTS,424 TRS,429 TS,436 TS,437 TS,412 TS,440 TS, 8 AMS, 8 Wing ARF, | CFB Trenton |
| 9 Wing Gander | Search and rescue | 103 SRS, 9 Wing ARF | CFB Gander |
| 12 Wing Shearwater | Naval aviation | 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron,423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron,443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron | CFB Halifax |
| 14 Wing Greenwood | Long range patrol, search and rescue | 404 LRPTS,415 LRPFDS,405 LRPS,413 TRS, 14 AMS, 14 Wing ARF, 91 CEF, 143 CEF, 144 CEF | CFB Greenwood |
| 19 Wing Comox | Long range patrol, search and rescue | CFSSAR,418 SROTS,435 TRS,442 TRS,407 LRPS, 19 AMS, 19 Wing ARF, 192 CEF | CFB Comox |
| 22 Wing North Bay | Surveillance, identification, control and warning | 21 ACWS,51 ACWOTS,Det 2,1st AF (USAF), 22 Wing ARF | CFB North Bay |
| Name | Mission | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Wing Moose Jaw | Aircrew training | 2 CFFTS,3 CFFTS, 15 ATC Sqn,431 ADS | CFB Moose Jaw |
| 16 Wing Borden | Technical training, aerospace control and professional development. | RCAF Academy,CFSATE, CFSACO, 16 Wing ARF | CFB Borden |
| 17 Wing Winnipeg | Specialized education | 402 Sqn,RCAF Band, RCAFWCWGB Aerospace College, CFSSAT | CFB Winnipeg |
| Name | Mission | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Wing (Space) | Space operations | 7 SOS, 7 OSS | Ottawa, ON |
| Name | Mission | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 414 Electronic Warfare Support Squadron | Electronic warfare | CFB Trenton | |
| 434 Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron | Test and evaluation | CFB Trenton | |
| Air and Space Power Development Centre | Development | CFB Trenton | |
| Centre for Operational Research and Analysis | Research | CFB Trenton | |
| RCAF History and Heritage | History and Heritage | CFB Trenton |
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) is a unified operational command of the Canadian Armed Forces that oversees Canada’s special operations capabilities.
Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) provides credible, timely and integrated defence intelligence capabilities, products and services to support Canada’s national security objectives.
| Name | Mission | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre | Imagery intelligence | |
| Canadian Forces National Counter-Intelligence Unit | Counterintelligence | |
| Joint Meteorological Centre (Canada) | Weather-related information | |
| Mapping and Charting Establishment (Canada) | Geospatial information and geomatics. | |
| Joint Task Force X | Human intelligence |
Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) leads most Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations in Canada, North America, and around the world.
Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) provides functional direction and guidance to the Canadian Armed Forces on all matters pertaining to the management of military personnel.
| Name | Mission | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Defence Academy | |||
| Canadian Forces Health Services Group | |||
| Canadian Forces Recruiting Group | |||
| Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group |
TheVice Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) ensures that Department of National Defence policy and strategic objectives are achieved. We govern the National Defence headquarters, and all HQ activities
| Name | Mission | Units | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Forces Military Police Group | N MP Gp,CA MP Gp,AF MP Gp,SOF MPU,CFPSU,CFNIS, | ||
| Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa) | |||
| Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers |
The Canadian Armed Forces as of 2025[update] have a total reserve force of approximately 50,000 primary and supplementary that can be called upon in times of national emergency or threat. On 30 May 2025, Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan and defence deputy minister Stefanie Beck signed a directive which outlined the plan to increase the reserve size from 28,000 to 400,000.[68] Under this plan, 100,000 soldiers will be placed under the Primary Reserve while 300,000 soldiers will be placed under the Supplementary Reserve.[69]
For the current components and sub-components of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force, the order of precedence follows:
Approximately 26,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen,[71] trained to the level of and interchangeable with their Regular Force counterparts, and posted to CAF operations or duties on a casual or ongoing basis, make up the Primary Reserve. This group is represented, though not commanded, at NDHQ by the chief of Reserves and Employer Support, who is usually amajor-general orrear-admiral, and is divided into four components that are each operationally and administratively responsible to its corresponding environmental command in the Regular Force—theNaval Reserve (NAVRES), Land Force Reserve (LFR), and Air Reserve (AIRRES)—in addition to one force that does not fall under an environmental command, the Health Services Reserve under theCanadian Forces Health Services Group.
TheCadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS)[72] consists of officers and non-commissioned members who conduct training, safety, supervision and administration of nearly 60,000 cadets aged 12 to 18 years in theCanadian Cadet Organization. The majority of members in COATS are officers of theCadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) branch of the CAF. Members of the Reserve Force Sub-Component COATS who are not employed part-time (Class A) or full-time (Class B) may be held on the "Cadet Instructor Supplementary Staff List" (CISS List) in anticipation of employment in the same manner as other reservists are held as members of the Supplementary Reserve.
TheCanadian Rangers, who provide surveillance and patrol services in Canada's arctic and other remote areas, are an essential reserve force component used for Canada's exercise ofsovereignty over its northern territory.
Canada operates a network of military bases across the country that support the Canadian Armed Forces’ operational, training, and logistical needs. These bases include Army garrisons, Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) facilities, and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) stations, many of which host joint operations, specialized training programs, and strategic deployments in support of national defence and international missions.
| Campus | Location |
|---|---|
| National Defence Headquarters Carling | West Ottawa, ON |
| Major-General George R. Pearkes Building | Ottawa, ON |
| Depot | Primary Unit(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (CFB) Bedford | Canadian Materiel Support Group | Halifax, NS |
| CFAD Dundurn | Canadian Materiel Support Group | Dundurn, SK |
| CFAD Dundurn Detachment Angus | Canadian Materiel Support Group | Essa, ON |
| CFAD Rocky Point | Canadian Materiel Support Group | Sooke, BC |
Since theSecond World War, Canadian defence policy has consistently stressed three overarching objectives:
During theCold War, a principal focus of Canadian defence policy was contributing to the security ofEurope in the face of theSoviet military threat. Toward that end, Canadian ground and air forces were based in Europe from the early 1950s until the early 1990s.
However, since the end of the Cold War, as theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has moved much of its defence focus "out of area", the Canadian military has also become more deeply engaged in international security operations in various other parts of the world—most notably inAfghanistan from 2002 to 2014.[74]
The basis for current Canadian defence capability objectives was originally set in theCanada First Defence Strategy,[75] introduced by the former Harper Government in 2008 but is now updated through the Liberal Government's 2017 defence strategy,Strong, Secure and Engaged (SSE). The SSE pledged greater funding to support the Canadian military (particularly in relation to theNational Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy) in its primary tasks related to the defence of Canada, the defence of North America and contributing to global security.
In addition to its core missions, the Canadian Armed Forces also contribute to the conduct of Canadiandefence diplomacy through a range of activities, including the deployment of Canadian Defence Attachés,[76] participation in bilateral and multilateral military forums (e.g. theSystem of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces), ship and aircraft visits, military training and cooperation,[77] and other such outreach and relationship-building efforts.
TheConstitution of Canada gives the federal government exclusive responsibility for national defence, and expenditures are thus outlined in thefederal budget. DND’s main estimates for 2023–24 totalled $26.5 billion, including various votes and statutory funding. Operating ($17.9 billion), capital ($6.1 billion), and grants and contributions ($320 million). Most of the budget is allocated to personnel (34%), operating (34%), and capital (22%).[78]
In 2017 the government began to factor in military-related spending from departments such as Veterans Affairs, Public Works, and the Treasury Board when calculating "defence spending".[79] It is believed that this move was made to improve Canada's defence-related NATO reporting metrics.[80]
In 2024 the government announced plans to increase defence spending by $77 billion over twenty years at a rate of 1.76% of GDP. The funds were to be allocated toward new submarines (twelve were planned) and overall force modernisation.[81]
In 2025, the government of Mark Carney announced plans to rapidly increase defence spending to reach the NATO target 2% of GDP by the end of the fiscal year. The plan includes many measures, including increases to pay for Canadian Forces members, acquisition of new equipment for each of the three environmental commands, and the continued support of previously announced procurement projects.[82]
Although the Canadian Armed Forces are a single service, there are four similar butdistinctive environmental uniforms (DEUs): navy blue (which is actually black) for the navy, rifle green for the army, light blue for the air force, and khaki for special operations. CAF members in operational occupations generally wear the DEU to which their occupation "belongs." CAF members in non-operational occupations (the "purple" trades) are allocated a uniform according to the "distribution" of their branch within the CAF, the association of the branch with one of the former services, and the individual's initial preference. Therefore, on any given day, in any given CAF unit, multiple coloured uniforms may be seen.
The uniforms of the CAF are sub-divided into five orders of dress:[83]
Only service dress is suitable for CAF members to wear on any occasion, barring "dirty work" or combat. With gloves, swords, and medals (No. 1 or 1A), it is suitable for ceremonial occasions and "dressed down" (No. 3 or lower), it is suitable for daily wear. Generally, after the elimination of base dress (although still defined for the Air Force uniform), the operational dress is now the daily uniform worn by most members of the CF, unless service dress is prescribed (such as at the NDHQ, on parades, at public events, etc.). Approvedparkas are authorized for winter wear in cold climates and a light casual jacket is also authorized for cooler days.
Units of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada also wear full-dress uniforms. The Army's universal full-dress uniforms includes ascarlet tunic,midnight blue trousers with a scarlet trouser stripe.[84] However, many regiments in the Canadian Army maintain authorized regimental differences from the Army's universal full dress, most notably for its armoured units,Scottish regiments, andVoltigeur/Rifle regiments. The full-dress uniform for cadets at Royal Military College is similar to the Army's universal full dress uniform. Full dress uniforms for units of the Royal Canadian Air Force include a blue tunic, and blue trousers and facings.[84] Naval full dress includes anavy blue tunic and trousers with white facings, although the Canadian Forces dress instructions state that naval full dress is no longer worn.[84]
Authorized headdresses for the Canadian Armed Forces is the:beret,wedge cap,ballcap,Yukon cap, andtuque (toque). Each is coloured according to the distinctive uniform worn: navy (white or navy blue), army (rifle green or "regimental" colour), and air force (light blue). Adherents of the Sikh faith may wear uniformturbans (dastar) (orpatka, when operational) and Muslim women may wear uniform tuckedhijabs under their authorized headdress. Jews may wearyarmulke under their authorized headdress and when bareheaded. The beret is probably the most widely worn headgear and is worn with almost all orders of dress (with the exception of the more formal orders of Navy and Air Force dress), and the colour of which is determined by the wearer's environment, branch, or mission. Naval personnel, however, seldom wear berets, preferring either service caps or authorized ballcaps (shipboard operational dress), which only the Navy wear. Air Force personnel, particularly officers, prefer the wedge cap to any other form of headdress. There is no naval variant of the wedge cap. The Yukon cap and tuque are worn only with winter dress, although clearance and combat divers may wear tuques year-round as a watch cap. Soldiers in Highland, Scottish, and Irish regiments generally wear an alternative headdress, including theglengarry,balmoral,tam o'shanter, andcaubeen instead of the beret. The officer cadets of both Royal Military Colleges wear gold-braided "pillbox" (cavalry) caps with theirceremonial dress and have a unique fur"Astrakhan" for winter wear. The CAF wears theCG634 helmet.
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The Canadian Forces have derived many of their traditions and symbols from the Navy, Army, and Air Force of the United Kingdom, including those with royal elements. Contemporary icons and rituals, however, have evolved to include elements reflective of Canada and theCanadian monarchy. Members ofthe country's royal family maintain personal relationships with the forces' divisions and regiments.[86][87]
The monarch is regarded as thefount of honour[88][89] and theCanadian system of orders, decorations, and medals includes numerous specifically for the military, such as theVictoria Cross,Order of Military Merit,Cross of Valour,Star of Courage, andMedal of Bravery.[90] The Victoria Cross is the highest honour in Canada. The British version was presented to 94 Canadians and two Newfoundlanders[91] between its creation in 1856 and 1993, when the Canadian Victoria Cross was instituted.[90] No Canadian has received either honour since 1945.[92]
During the unification of the forces in the 1960s, a renaming of the branches took place, resulting in the loss of theroyal designations for the Navy and Air Force.[93] On 16 August 2011, the federal Cabinet announced that Air Command was re-assuming the Air Force's original name,Royal Canadian Air Force; Land Force Command the nameCanadian Army; and Maritime Command the nameRoyal Canadian Navy.[94] The government stated that the change was made to better reflect Canada's military heritage and align Canada with otherCommonwealth realms whose militaries use theroyal designation, while political opponents claimed the changes were more politically motivated and designed to appeal to monarchists in theConservative party.[95][94]
The portrait of military families in Canada from the 2021 Census had 345,180 military families, making up 3.4% of all families in the country. This group included 53,510 active military families. Among these, 74. 1% were couple families with one partner serving and the other having no military experience, 11.8% had both partners serving, 7.5% had one partner serving and the other a Veteran, and 6.6% were one-parent families with a serving parent. The majority, 291,670, were Veteran families, mainly consisting of couple families where one spouse was a Veteran and the other had no military experience at 87.6%. Additionally, 6.5% were one-parent Veteran families and 6.0% had both partners as Veterans.[96]
More than 80% of military families in Canada were identified as Veteran families, while the remaining percentage was active.The report also highlighted the distribution of active military, Veteran, and non-military families. In Ottawa–Gatineau, 11.1% were active military families, 7.8% were Veteran families, and 3.8% were non-military families. Similar proportions were observed in Halifax and Québec.[96]
Active military families were more likely than Veteran and non-military families to have moved to a different province or territory in the past five years. The report detailed that 24.1% of couple families and 15.4% of one-parent families in the active category lived in a different province compared to 4.0% and 1.9%, respectively, for Veteran families, and 2.4% and 1.9% for non-military families.[96]
The Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue to be vested in the Queen.
This article incorporates content that is under anopen licence fromStatistics Canada (FAQ).
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