Canadian Armed Forces Operations in Canada and North America

Objectives

The Canadian Armed Forces conduct continental operations to:

• defend North America, especially Canada;
• protect Canadians and their interests;
• demonstrate Canada's sovereignty; and
• provide assistance in response to requests for support from civilian authorities.

Continental operations typically fit into one of three categories:

• routine operations, planned and conducted on a recurring or regular basis to meet an assessed and well-understood need (e.g., Operation PALACI, Operation DRIFTNET, Operation SABOT)
• contingency operations, planned in anticipation of potential events in which the need for a military contribution is likely enough to permit a relatively formal planning process (e.g., support to the RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit under Operation PODIUM, for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, and Operation CADENCE, for the 2010 Muskoka G8 and Toronto G20 summit meetings)
• rapid-response operations, conducted in response to unanticipated emergencies in which immediate action is required to save lives, reduce human suffering and mitigate property damage (e.g., flood-control assistance in Manitoba under Operation LUSTER and Operation LYRE)

Basis in policy

All continental operations by the Canadian Armed Forces arise from direction and priorities set out in the following sources:

• the National Defence Act;
• the Canada First Defence Strategy, issued in May 2008;
• the policy paper Canada's Northern Strategy: Our North, Our Heritage, Our Future, issued in July 2009; and
• the government's vision for Canada and the Americas, introduced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in July 2007.

Assistance to law enforcement

Under Section 73.6 of the National Defence Act, the Canadian Armed Forces may be authorized to  “perform any duty involving public service”. This provision is used most frequently to provide assistance to law enforcement in Canada.

Except in minor matters and cases when only logistical, technical or administrative support is required, the following conditions apply:

• military assistance must be “in the national interest” and
• the matter cannot be handled effectively without military assistance.

Working with mission partners

Some Canadian Armed Forces continental operations are part of Canadian “whole-of-government” initiatives in which the military operation is part of a long-term strategy or capacity-building program with objectives related to upholding Canadian sovereignty or maintaining the safety and security of Canadians. Other federal government organizations often engaged as partners in whole-of-government initiatives are:

• the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
• Public Safety Canada;
• the Canada Border Services Agency;
• the Canadian Security Intelligence Service;
• the Canadian Coast Guard;
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and
• Transport Canada.

Continental operations conducted in partnership with other Canadian government departments and agencies as part of whole-of-government initiatives are generally initiated by the Chief of the Defence Staff with direction by the Government of Canada through the Minister of National Defence.

Continental operations such as emergency response, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, that are conducted in support of federal or provincial government organizations, are initiated upon receipt of a formal request from the responsible ministry, department or organization.

Routine continental operations such as fisheries patrols, avalanche control, and some support to law enforcement operations are carried out under formal arrangements (e.g., Memoranda of Understanding) with the participating mission partners.

Aeronautical and maritime search-and-rescue operations are conducted in close collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard under the authority of a Privy Council Cabinet Directive of the Government of Canada.