Defend Canada

Under the Canada First Defence Strategy, the first role of the Canadian Armed Forces is to defend Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces is responsible for:

• identifying threats in our country and its approaches;
• deterring threats before they reach Canada's shores; and
• maintaining the capacity to address threats quickly and effectively anywhere in Canada.

To carry out this mission, the Canadian Armed Forces:

• provide surveillance of Canadian territory and air and maritime approaches;
• maintain search-and-rescue (SAR) response capabilities that are able to reach those in distress anywhere in Canada on a 24/7 basis; and
• assist civil authorities in responding to a wide range of threats, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks.

Our top priority mission

Defending Canada and protecting Canadians is the Canadian Armed Forces' top priority.

The six regional joint task forces of Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) maintain a continuous watch over Canada's land mass and air and maritime approaches - an area of more than 10 million square kilometers - and keep the Canadian Armed Forces aware of security threats and other concerns in or approaching Canadian territory, including the North. This vigilance permits the Canadian Armed Forces to take action against threats before they reach Canadian shores, and allows the Canadian Armed Forces to respond appropriately to contingencies and requests for assistance, anywhere in the country.

Through its regional joint task forces, CJOC stands ready 24/7 to plan, coordinate and lead operations that help civil authorities respond to threats ranging from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. Through its three Search and Rescue Regions (SRR), CJOC provides SAR response capabilities that can reach those in distress anywhere in Canada.

CJOC is committed to:

• the provision of safety, security and defence for all Canadians; and
• delivering unique Canadian Armed Forces expertise to continental operations.

This commitment includes working with bi-national and international security partners and delivering Canadian Armed Forces support to operations resulting from security threats or crises anywhere in North America and its air and maritime approaches, including the North.

The North: Protecting Canada's sovereignty

Canadian Armed Forces operations in the North directly support the six core missions of the Canada First Defence Strategy. Northern operations strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces' capabilities in the region and exercise Canada's sovereignty over its Arctic region as described in the Government of Canada Northern Strategy.

Chief of Defence Staff / Deputy Minister directive on Canada's North

Although Canada's armed services have always been active in the North, a new directive on the Canadian Armed Forces in Canada's North, issued in April 2011, provided fresh guidance from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Deputy Minister (DM) of National Defence.

The CDS/DM Directive confirmed objectives and set out responsibilities and tasks designed to enhance northern defence capabilities. These enhancements include:

• heightening situational awareness in the land, maritime and air domains so the Canadian Armed Forces can:
  • anticipate potential incidents, safety and security challenges; and
  • improve their ability to react rapidly and effectively to contingencies such as a major air disaster or a SAR incident; increasing the frequency and size of routine deployments into the North;
• creating the capability and capacity to surge and sustain forces into the region during contingency or crisis operations;
• increasing the range of CAF capabilities for potential use for defence tasks and whole-of-government security and safety tasks;
• planning to develop and field space capabilities in support of Arctic operations; and
• developing cultural awareness training for all planners developing operations for the North, and for commanders and forces employed in the North.

Objectives of operations in the North

Canadian Armed Forces operations in the North have the following specific objectives:

• exercise Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic;
• demonstrate a visible Government of Canada presence throughout the North;
• when directed, support other government departments operating in the North;
• maintain 24/7 SAR response capabilities that are able to reach those in distress anywhere in Canada; and
• create new and build upon established defence relationships in the region to strengthen operational links.

The Canadian Armed Forces presence in the North

Each year, the Canadian Armed Forces conduct at least three major operations in the North. Their precise objectives vary, but they share three objectives:

• to exercise Canada's sovereignty in the region;
• to ensure year-round readiness for operations in the Arctic; and
• to improve coordination and interoperability among Canadian government institutions and thus enhance their ability to respond to safety and security issues in the North.

The Canadian Armed Forces also conduct regular resupply and maintenance operations in the high Arctic.

Current recurring operations in the North are:

• Operation NANOOK;
• Operation NEVUS;
• Operation NUNAKPUT; and
• Operation NUNALIVUT.