View source for Canadian Armed Forces

{{Short description|Unified military forces of Canada}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox national military
| country = Canada
| name = Canadian Armed Forces
| native_name = {{lang|fr|Forces armées canadiennes}}
| image = [[File:Canadian Forces emblem.svg|150px]]
| caption = [[Heraldic badge|Badge]] of the CAF<ref name=Badge>{{cite web |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/3334 |title=Registration of a Badge |work=Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada |publisher=Official website of the Governor General |accessdate=8 November 2021}}</ref>
| image2 = [[File:Flag of the Canadian Forces.svg|border|200px]]
| caption2 = [[List of Canadian flags#Canadian Armed Forces|Flag of the CAF]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/1252 |title=Confirmation of the blazon of a Flag |work=Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada |publisher=Official website of the Governor General |accessdate=19 March 2025}}</ref>
| founded = 
| current_form = {{Start date and age|1968|02|01|df=yes}}
| branches = {{tree list}}
* {{navy|Canada}}
* {{army|Canada}}
* {{air force|Canada}}
{{Tree list/end}}
| headquarters = [[National Defence Headquarters (Canada)|National Defence Headquarters]], [[Ottawa, Ontario]]
| url = {{official URL}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = {{Canadian monarch, current|nameonly=~}}, [[Monarchy of Canada|{{Canadian monarch, current|title=~}} of Canada]]<br>Represented by<br> [[Mary Simon]], [[Governor General of Canada]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister = [[Mark Carney]]
| chief minister_title = [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]]
| minister = [[David McGuinty]]
| minister_title = [[Minister of National Defence (Canada)|Minister of National Defence]]
| chief_of_staff = General [[Jennie Carignan]] 
{{Infobox |child=yes
| label1                   = [[Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Vice Chief of the Defence Staff]] 
| data1                    = Lieutenant-General [[Stephen Kelsey]]
| label2                   = [[Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer|Chief Warrant Officer]]
| data2                    = [[Chief warrant officer#Canadian Armed Forces|CWO]] Bob McCann
}}
| chief_of_staff_title = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 16–60 years old{{efn|Persons 16 years of age, with parental permission, can join the Canadian Armed Forces.|name=Age}}
| conscription = No
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 17–49<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/canada/| title=The World Factbook > Canada > Military| publisher=Central Intelligence Agency| date=19 November 2015|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| active = approx. 64,000 (2024)<ref name=stats>{{Cite web|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-military-to-boost-ranks=Canadian military plans.. |date=16 December 2024|website=ottawacitizen.com |publisher= }}</ref>
| reserve = approx. 22,000 (2023)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/proactive-disclosure/nddn-supplementary-estimates-b-2023-2024/background-notes/personnel.html=Personnel |date=30 Sep 2023|website=canada.ca |publisher= }}</ref>
| deployed = approx. 3,000<ref>{{cite web |date=27 March 2013 |title=Current operations list |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/operations/military-operations/current-operations/list.html |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref>
| amount = {{USD|27.2&nbsp;billion|link=yes}} (2023)<ref name="SIPRI-2023">{{cite web |date=April 2024 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/2404_fs_milex_2023.pdf#page=2 |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref><br />([[List of countries by military expenditures|ranked 16th]])
| percent_GDP = 1.3% (2023)<ref name="SIPRI-2023" />
 
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = {{hidden 
|''List''
| headerstyle=background:#b0c4de
| style=text-align:center;|[[L-3 Communications MAS]] <br />[[Bombardier Aerospace]]<br />[[CAE Inc.|CAE]]<br />[[Meggitt|Meggitt Training Systems Canada]]<br />[[Colt Canada]]<br />[[Textron|Textron Systems Canada]]<br />[[Kongsberg Gruppen|Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada]]<br />[[Rheinmetall|Rheinmetall Defence Canada]]<br />[[Irving Shipbuilding|Irving Shipbuilding Inc.]]<br />[[General Dynamics Land Systems|General Dynamics Land Systems Canada]]<br />[[Raytheon|Raytheon Canada Limited]]<br />[[Seaspan Marine Corporation]]<br />[[Thales Air Defence|Thales Canada]]<ref>Canadian Defence Review [http://www.canadiandefencereview.com/new_item_en_en_298cms.htm Canada's 2011 Top 50 Defence Companies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331092659/http://www.canadiandefencereview.com/new_item_en_en_298cms.htm |date=31 March 2012 }}. Retrieved on: 15 December 2011</ref><br />[[Boeing Defense, Space & Security|Boeing Canada]]<ref>Canadian Defence Review [http://www.canadiandefencereview.com/new_item_en_en_298cms.htm Canada's 2011 Top 50 Defence Companies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331092659/http://www.canadiandefencereview.com/new_item_en_en_298cms.htm |date=31 March 2012 }}. Retrieved on: 28 August 2011</ref> }}
| foreign_suppliers = {{hidden 
|''List''
| headerstyle=background:#b0c4de |{{UK}}<br />{{USA}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{ITA}}<br />{{SWE}}<br />{{AUS}}<br />{{ISR}}<br />{{ESP}}}}
| imports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = [[Military history of Canada]]
{{hidden 
|''List of engagements''
| headerstyle=background:#b0c4de
| style=text-align:center; 
|[[Fenian Raids]] <br />[[Wolseley Expedition]] <br />[[North-West Rebellion]] <br />[[Second Boer War]] <br />[[World War I]] <br />[[Russian Civil War]] <br />[[World War II]] <br />[[Cold War]] <br />[[Korean War]] <br />[[October Crisis]] <br />[[Gulf War]] <br />[[Oka Crisis]] <br />[[Bosnian War]] <br />[[Somali Civil War]] <br />[[Kosovo War]] <br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan War]] <br />[[2011 Libyan Civil War]] <br />[[Operation Serval]] <br />[[War against the Islamic State]] <br />[[Operation Unifier]], aid to [[Ukrainian Armed Forces]] 2015-present }}
| ranks = [[Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia]]
}}

The '''Canadian Armed Forces''' ('''CAF'''; {{langx|fr|Forces armées canadiennes}}, '''FAC''') are the unified [[Military|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]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence.html | title=National Defence | publisher=Government of Canada | access-date=11 September 2023}}</ref> Under the ''[[National Defence Act]]'', the Canadian Armed Forces are an entity separate and distinct from the [[Department of National Defence (Canada)|Department of National Defence]] (the [[Government of Canada|federal government department]] responsible for the administration and formation of defence policy), which also exists as the civilian support system for the forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about/faq.page#q7 | title=Frequently Asked Questions – What is the relationship between DND and the CAF? |publisher=Department of National Defence | date=27 July 2013 | access-date=11 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about/canadian-armed-forces.page | title=About the Canadian Armed Forces | publisher=Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada | date=27 July 2013 | access-date=3 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317004607/http://forces.gc.ca/en/about/canadian-armed-forces.page | archive-date=17 March 2015 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-us.page | title=About the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces – National Defence Act | publisher=Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada | date=23 May 2013 | access-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

The [[Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces|command-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces]] is constitutionally vested in the [[Monarchy of Canada|monarch]], {{Canadian monarch, current|nameonly=1}}, who is represented by the [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]].<ref name="BNA">{{Cite book |last=Victoria |author-link=Queen Victoria |url=http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ca_1867.html |title=Constitution Act, 1867 |date=29 March 1867 |publisher=[[Queen's Printer]] |series=III.15 |location=Westminster |quote=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. |access-date=15 January 2009}}</ref><ref name="crown powers">{{cite journal|author=Lagassé, Philippe|date=December 2013|title=The Crown's Powers of Commander-in Chief: Interpreting Section 15 of Canada's Constitution Act, 1867|url=https://www.constitutionalstudies.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/03_Lagass.pdf|journal=Review of Constitutional Studies|volume=18|issue=2|pages=189–220|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185526/http://ualawccsprod.srv.ualberta.ca/ccs/images/03_Lagass.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=10 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="GG1">{{cite web|title=Governor General of Canada > Commander-in-Chief|url=http://gg.ca/gg/rr/cc/index_e.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20071201202301/http://www.gg.ca/gg/rr/cc/index_e.asp|archive-date=1 December 2007|access-date=15 January 2009|publisher=Rideau Hall}}</ref> The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)|chief of the Defence Staff]] is the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces, who under the direction of the [[Minister of National Defence (Canada)|minister of national defence]] and together with the assistance of the [[Armed Forces Council (Canada)|Armed Forces Council]], manages the operations of the Canadian Armed Forces.

In 2023, Canada's military expenditure totalled approximately US$27.2&nbsp;billion, or around 1.3&nbsp;percent of the country's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP)  — placing it 16th for [[List of countries by military expenditures|military expenditure by country]].<ref name="SIPRI-2023"/> The Canadian Armed Forces are a professional [[Volunteer military|volunteer force]] that consists of approximately 68,000 active personnel and 27,000 reserve personnel, with a sub-component of approximately 5,000 Canadian Rangers.<ref name=stats/>

[[Canadian peacekeeping|Canada's peacekeeping role]] during the 20th century has played a major role in its positive global image.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sorenson |first1=David S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2OZ6NRiL5MkC&pg=PA158 |title=The Politics of Peacekeeping in the Post-cold War Era |last2=Wood |first2=Pia Christina |publisher=Psychology Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7146-8488-8 |page=158}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sobel |first1=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RsY3pK_993EC&pg=PA21 |title=International Public Opinion and the Bosnia Crisis |last2=Shiraev |first2=Eric |last3=Shapiro |first3=Robert |publisher=Lexington Books |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7391-0480-4 |page=21}}</ref> Canada has long been reluctant to participate in military operations that are not sanctioned by the United Nations (UN),<ref name="Massie 2019 pp. 575–594"/><ref name="Mingst Karns 2019 p. 63">{{cite book | last1=Mingst | first1=K. | last2=Karns | first2=M.P. | title=The United Nations In The Post-cold War Era, Second Edition | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2019 | isbn=978-1-000-30674-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kk2fDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT63| page=63}}</ref> such as the [[Canada and the Vietnam War|Vietnam War]] or the [[Canada and the Iraq War|2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name="Massie 2019 pp. 575–594">{{cite journal | last=Massie | first=Justin | title=Why Canada Goes to War: Explaining Combat Participation in US-led Coalitions | journal=Canadian Journal of Political Science | publisher=Cambridge University Press (CUP) | volume=52 | issue=3 | date=30 April 2019 | issn=0008-4239 | doi=10.1017/s0008423919000040 | pages=575–594}}</ref><ref name="Mingst Karns 2019 p. 63"/> Since the 21st century, Canadian direct participation in UN peacekeeping efforts greatly declined, with its military participation reallocated to UN-sanctioned operations through the [[List of NATO operations|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO).<ref name="McQuaig2010bt">{{cite book|author=Linda McQuaig|title=Holding the Bully's Coat: Canada and the U.S. Empire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9g4Xd12rIGYC&pg=PT50|year=2010|publisher=Random House Digital|isbn=978-0-385-67297-9|page=50}}</ref>

The CAF operates several other commands, including [[Canadian Forces Intelligence Command]], [[Canadian Joint Operations Command]], and [[Canadian Special Operations Forces Command]]. Personnel may belong to either the [[Regular Force]] or the Reserve Force, which has four sub-components: the [[Primary Reserve]], [[Canadian Forces Supplementary Reserve|Supplementary Reserve]], [[Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service]], and the [[Canadian Rangers]].

==History==
{{main|Military history of Canada}}
{{see also|History of the Canadian Army|History of the Royal Canadian Navy|l2=Royal Canadian Navy|History of the Royal Canadian Air Force|l3=Royal Canadian Air Force|Monarchy of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces#History}}

===Origins and establishment===
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2017}}
[[File:The Canadian Militia, 1898.jpg|thumb|Uniforms of the [[Canadian militia]] in 1898. The Canadian Army traces its roots to the militia.]]
Prior to [[Canadian Confederation|Confederation]] in 1867, residents of the colonies in what is now Canada served as regular members of French and British forces and in [[Colonial militia in Canada|local militia groups]]. The latter aided in the defence of their respective territories against attacks by other European powers, [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada|Indigenous peoples]], and later [[United States Armed Forces|American forces]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and [[War of 1812]], as well as in the [[Fenian raids]], [[Red River Rebellion]], and [[North-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 of [[British North America]] against invasion by the United States.

The responsibility for military command remained with the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British Crown]]-[[Queen-in-Council|in-Council]], with a [[Commander-in-Chief, North America|commander-in-chief for North America]] stationed in [[City of Halifax|Halifax]] until the final withdrawal of [[British Army]] and [[Royal Navy]] units from the city in 1906. Thereafter, the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] was formed, and, with the advent of military aviation, the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]. These forces were organized under the [[Department of Militia and Defence (Canada)|Department of Militia and Defence]], and split into the [[Permanent Active Militia|Permanent]] and [[Non-Permanent Active Militia]]s{{mdash}}frequently shortened to simply ''[[Canadian militia|The Militia]].'' By 1923, the department was merged into the [[Department of National Defence (Canada)|Department of National Defence]].
[[File:Canadian tank and soldiers Vimy 1917.jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the [[2nd Canadian Division]] behind a [[Mark II tank|Mark II]] [[female tank]] during the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]]]]
The first significant overseas deployment of Canadian military forces occurred during the [[Second Boer War]] when several units were raised to serve under British command. Similarly, when the United Kingdom entered into conflict with Germany in the [[First World War]], Canadian troops were called to participate in European theatres. Battles that are particularly notable to the Canadian military include the [[Second Battle of Ypres]], the [[Battle of the Somme]], the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]], the [[Second Battle of Passchendaele]], as well as a [[Canada's Hundred Days|series of attacks undertaken]] by the [[Canadian Corps]] during the [[Hundred 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 the [[{{ucfirst:{{Canadian monarch, current|genderp=~}}}} Majesty's Government|British government]] until Canada gained [[Statute of Westminster 1931|legislative 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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nersessian |first=Mary |title=Vimy battle marks birth of Canadian nationalism |publisher=CTV |date=9 April 2007 |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070402/vimy_90years_070402 |access-date=20 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215182932/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070402/vimy_90years_070402 |archive-date=15 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last=Cook| first=Tim| publication-date=2008| title=Shock troops: Canadians fighting the Great War, 1917–1918| location=Toronto| publisher=Viking| isbn=978-0-670-06735-0| year=2008}}</ref> 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 the [[Second World War]] in September 1939, after the [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian Crown-in-Council]] declared war on [[Nazi Germany]]. Battles and campaigns during the Second World War that was particularly notable to the Canadian military include the [[Battle of the Atlantic]], the [[Battle of Britain]], the [[Battle of Hong Kong]], the [[Dieppe Raid]], the [[Allied invasion of Sicily|invasion of Sicily]] and [[Allied invasion of Italy|Italy]], [[Operation Overlord]], the [[Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine|Siegfried Line Campaign]], [[Operation Veritable]], as well as the [[Strategic bombing during World War II|strategic bombing of German cities]].
[[File:RCAF Typhoon Holland 1944 IWM CL 1598.jpg|thumb|Two armourers of [[440 Transport Squadron|No. 440 Squadron RCAF]], re-arming a [[Hawker Typhoon]]. By the end of the [[Second World War]], Canada possessed the fourth-largest air force in the world.]]
At the end of the Second World War, Canada possessed the fourth-largest air force and fifth-largest naval surface fleet in the world.<ref>World War – Willmott, H.P. et al.; Dorling Kindersley Limited, London, 2004, Page 168</ref> [[Conscription]] for overseas service was [[Conscription Crisis of 1944|introduced only near the end of the war]], and only 2,400 conscripts made it into battle. Originally, Canada was thought to have had the third-largest navy in the world, but with the fall of the [[Soviet Union]], new data based on Japanese and Soviet sources found that to be incorrect.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Rob |last=Stuart |title=Was the RCN ever the Third Largest Navy? |journal=Canadian Naval Review |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=4–9 |date=Fall 2009 |url=https://www.navalreview.ca/wp-content/uploads/CNR_pdf_full/cnr_vol5_3.pdf |access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref>

Since 1947, Canadian military units have participated in more than 200 operations worldwide, and [[List of Canadian military operations|completed 72 international operations]]. Canadian soldiers, sailors, and aviators came to be considered world-class professionals through conspicuous service during these conflicts and the country's integral participation in [[NATO]] during the [[Korean War]], [[Gulf War|First Gulf War]], [[Kosovo War]], and in United Nations [[Peacekeeping]] operations, such as the [[Suez Crisis]], [[Golan Heights]], Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Libya. Canada maintained an aircraft carrier from 1957 to 1970 during the Cold War, which never saw combat but participated in patrols during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]].

===Since unification===
{{See also|Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces|Structure of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989}}
The current iteration of the Canadian Armed Forces dates from 1 February 1968,<ref name=ML>{{Cite journal| last=Gilmour| first=Sarah| title=Navy celebrates 96 years| journal=The Maple Leaf| volume=9| page=10| date=17 May 2006| url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/MapleLeaf/vol_9/vol9_19/919_10.pdf| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206081112/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/community/MapleLeaf/vol_9/vol9_19/919_10.pdf| archive-date=6 February 2009}}</ref> when the [[Royal Canadian Navy]], [[Canadian Army]], and [[Royal 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14546579 |work=BBC News |title=Canadian armed forces to be 'royal' once again |date=16 August 2011 |access-date=20 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/N-5/page-3.html#h-12 |title=National Defence Act |publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=25 August 2016}}</ref>
[[File:GuardKandahar.jpg|thumb|Soldiers from the [[Canadian Grenadier Guards]] in [[Afghanistan]]. The Canadian Forces were in Afghanistan as a part of the [[NATO]]-led United Nations [[International Security Assistance Force]] until 2011.]]
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 Nations [[International 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 the [[1997 Red River flood]] to help with evacuation, building dikes, and other flood-fighting efforts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/environment/extreme-weather/red-river-rising-manitoba-floods/canadian-military-to-the-rescue.html|access-date=2 August 2012|title=Canadian military rush to Manitoba flood zone|publisher=CBC}}</ref> The operation was considered a "public relations bonanza" for the military.<ref>{{cite book|title=Canada through the Decades: the 1990s|last=Lauri Seidlitz|publisher=[[Weigl Educational Publishers Limited]]|year=2000|isbn=978-1-896990-38-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/1990s0000seid/page/8 8]|url=https://archive.org/details/1990s0000seid/page/8}}</ref><ref name="B.)Head2009"/><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|title=Thank-you!|author=Kevin Rolleson; Catherine Mitchell|page=A1|date=14 May 1997}}</ref> The Forces were also deployed after the [[North American ice storm of 1998]], with relief efforts beginning on 8 January, after the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec requested aid.<ref name="Draper2011">{{cite book|author=Penny Draper|title=Ice Storm|url=https://archive.org/details/icestorm0000drap/page/192|year=2011|publisher=Coteau Books|isbn=978-1-55050-451-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/icestorm0000drap/page/192 192]}}</ref> Over 16,000 troops were deployed, making it the largest deployment of troops ever to serve on Canadian soil in response to a [[natural disaster]],<ref name="B.)Head2009">{{cite book|author1=Michael Head|author2=Scott Mann|title=Domestic deployment of the armed forces: military powers, law and human rights|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OcaQ341m4PEC&pg=PA72|year=2009|publisher=Ashgate Publishing|isbn=978-0-7546-7346-0|page=72}}</ref> and the largest operational deployment of Canadian military personnel since the [[Korean War]].<ref name="Miskel2008">{{cite book|author=James F. Miskel|title=Disaster Response and Homeland Security: What Works, What Doesn't|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yISaAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA39|year=2008|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-5972-4|page=39}}</ref> The Forces were also deployed to British Columbia from 3 August to 16 September 2003, as a part of [[Operation 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.<ref name=Peregrine>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/Op_Peregrine-eng.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101015133/http://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/Op_Peregrine-eng.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2013 |title=Operation Peregrine: Canadian Forces Personnel Fighting B.C. Forest Fires |year=2009 |publisher=Land Force Western Area |access-date=19 February 2011 }}</ref>

====Early 2000s modernization efforts====
The Constitution of Canada gives the federal government exclusive responsibility for national defence, and expenditures are thus outlined in the [[Canadian federal budget|federal budget]]. For the 2007–2010 [[fiscal year]], the amount allocated for defence spending was [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]6.15 billion which is 1.4 percent of the country's GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dspace.dsto.defence.gov.au/dspace/bitstream/1947/9994/1/DSTO-TN-0888%20PR.pdf|title=Science and Technology Support for National Security: An International Review|publisher=Defence Science and Technology Organisation |year=2007|access-date=25 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2008-2009/inst/dnd/images/sec1f-table1-lg-eng.jpg| last=Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat| author-link=Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat| title=Departmental Planned Spending and Full-Time Equivalents| publisher=Queen's Printer| access-date= 2 February 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book| last=Department of Finance| author-link=Department of Finance Canada| date=2005| title=The Budget Speech 2005| series=Canada in the World| publisher=Queen's Printer| page=20| url=http://www.fin.gc.ca/budget05/pdf/speeche.pdf| access-date= 2 February 2009}}</ref> 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 as {{CAD|17.1 billion}} for the purchase of new trucks for the Canadian Army, transport aircraft and helicopters for the Royal Canadian Air Force, and [[Joint Support Ship Project|joint support ships]] for the Royal Canadian Navy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&?cat=00&id=2647 |last=Department of National Defence |title='Canada First' National Defence Procurement |publisher=Queen's Printer |access-date=2 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010051106/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?cat=00&%3Fcat=00&id=2647 |archive-date=10 October 2011 }}</ref>
[[File:HMCS Harry Dewolf under construction May 2018.jpg|thumb|Construction of a {{sclass|Harry DeWolf|offshore patrol vessel|1}} at [[Halifax Shipyard]] in 2018. The ship emerged from the Arctic Patrol Ship project.]]
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 the [[Canadian 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 with [[Canada's role in the invasion of Afghanistan|the 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 to [[natural disaster]]s.<ref>{{cite news| last=The Canadian Press| title=Canadians still view troops as peacekeepers: DND poll| publisher=CTV| date=5 September 2005| url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canadians-still-view-troops-as-peacekeepers-dnd-poll-1.322123| access-date=5 September 2008| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906120922/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080905/dnd_poll_080905/20080905?hub=TopStories| archive-date=6 September 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| last=The Canadian Press| title=Military as message for job seekers: we want you| publisher=CTV| date=21 November 2008| url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/military-has-message-for-job-seekers-we-want-you-1.344885| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801104139/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081121/forces_canada_081121/20081121?hub=Canada| url-status=live| archive-date=1 August 2012| access-date=22 November 2008}}</ref>

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—the [[C-130 Hercules]]—and the army's truck and armoured vehicle fleets). In addition, new systems (such as [[C-17 Globemaster III]] strategic transport aircraft and [[CH-47 Chinook]] heavy-lift helicopters) have also been acquired for the Forces.<ref name="forces.gc.ca">Department of National Defence {{cite web|title=Canada First Defence Strategy &#124; National Defence and the Canadian Forces|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first-premier/defstra/summary-sommaire-eng.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407091422/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first-premier/defstra/summary-sommaire-eng.asp|archive-date=7 April 2009|access-date=6 January 2010}}</ref>

===Peacekeeping===
{{main|Canadian peacekeeping}}
{{Excerpt|Canadian peacekeeping|hat=no|paragraph=1,2,3}}

===Role of women===
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 the [[Royal 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Canada|first=Veterans Affairs|date=8 August 2019|title=Canada Remembers Women in the Canadian Military - Women and War - Remembering those who served - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada|url=https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/those-who-served/women-veterans/military|access-date=20 September 2021|website=www.veterans.gc.ca}}</ref>
[[File:Canadian Forces brief Vermont Army National Guard on women in combat roles 150912-Z-QI027-0003.jpg|upright|thumb|A member of the CAF briefs [[Vermont Army National Guard]] soldiers on the integration of women into the forces]]
The department further reviewed personnel policies in 1978 and 1985, after Parliament passed the ''[[Canadian Human Rights Act]]'' and the ''[[Canadian 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.<ref name=cfw/>

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.<ref name=cfw/>

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.<ref name=cfw>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news/article.page?doc=women-in-the-canadian-armed-forces/hie8w7rm|title=Backgrounder &#124; Women in the Canadian Armed Forces|website= National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces |date=14 August 2018 |access-date = 9 March 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111213932/http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news/article.page?doc=women-in-the-canadian-armed-forces/hie8w7rm |archive-date= 11 November 2020 }}</ref> Women were fully integrated into all occupations and roles by the government of [[Jean Chrétien]], and by 8 March 2000, even allowed to serve on submarines.<ref name=cfw/>

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.<ref name=cfw/>

In 2019, the ''[[National Post]]'' columnist [[Christie 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."<ref>{{cite news | last = Blatchford | first = Christie |author-link=Christie Blatchford | date = 22 April 2019 | title = The Canadian Forces Jobs Where Only Women Need Apply | url = https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/the-canadian-forces-jobs-where-only-women-need-apply | work = National Post}}</ref>

In March 2021, Lieutenant-Colonel Eleanor Taylor resigned citing sexual misconduct among the top brass.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/17/canada-eleanor-taylor-quits-military-sexual-misconduct-allegations Canada: top female soldier quits over military's failures on sexual misconduct] The Guardian, 2021</ref> Since then, the CAF has been under pressure over allegations of sexual misconduct. Former justice [[Louise 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shakil |first=Ismail |date=30 May 2022 |title=Sex crime allegations in Canadian military should be investigated externally, report says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/sex-crime-allegations-canadian-military-should-be-investigated-externally-report-2022-05-30/ |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

== Structure ==
The [[Monarchy of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces|Crown has long occupied a central position in the Canadian Armed Forces]]. The ''National 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"<ref name=Elizabeth>{{cite book|last=Elizabeth II |author-link=Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom |date=12 December 2008 |title=National Defence Act |series=II.14 |publisher=Queen's Printer |url=http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/rsc-1985-c-n-5/latest/rsc-1985-c-n-5.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130104437/http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/rsc-1985-c-n-5/latest/rsc-1985-c-n-5.html |archive-date=30 November 2009 }}</ref> and the ''[[Constitution Act, 1867]]'', vests [[Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces|command-in-chief of the Forces]] in the [[Monarchy of Canada|country's sovereign]],<ref name=BNA/> who, since 1904, has authorized his or her [[viceroy]], the [[Governor General of Canada|governor general]], to exercise the duties ascribed to the post of commander-in-chief and, since 1905, hold the associated title.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1947 - 1952 The Assignment of Sovereign Powers|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/governors-general-representing-canada-home-and-abroad|website=Office of the Governor General of Canada|date=20 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Commander-in-Chief|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/role/responsibilities/commander-chief|website=The Governor General of Canada |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124231602/https://www.gg.ca/en/role/responsibilities/commander-chief |archive-date= 24 January 2021 }}</ref> All troop deployment and disposition orders, including [[Declaration of war by Canada|declarations of war]], fall within the [[royal prerogative]]. They previously were issued as [[Order-in-Council|orders-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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Braden |first=Alexander J |date=2021-05-26 |title=Decision Instruments of the Federal Cabinet: Legally Exercising the "War Prerogative" |url=https://www.journalofcommonwealthlaw.org/article/24255-decision-instruments-of-the-federal-cabinet-legally-exercising-the-war-prerogative |journal=Journal of Commonwealth Law |language=en |volume=3 |pages=157–217}}</ref> Under the [[Westminster system]]'s parliamentary customs and practices, however, the monarch and viceroy must generally follow the [[Advice (constitutional)|advice]] of his or her [[Minister of the Crown|ministers]] in [[Cabinet of Canada|Cabinet]], including the [[Prime Minister of Canada|prime minister]] and minister of national defence, who are accountable to the elected [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]].
[[File:NDHQ.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Armed Forces Council (Canada)|Armed Forces Council]] is the senior military body of the Canadian Forces. The Council typically operates from [[Major-General George R. Pearkes Building|Pearkes building]] in [[Ottawa]].]]
The Canadian Forces' 92,600 personnel are divided into [[Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia|a hierarchy of numerous ranks]] of [[Officer's commission|officers]] and [[non-commissioned member]]s. The governor general appoints, on the advice of the prime minister, the chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as the highest-ranking [[Officer's commission|commissioned officer]] in the Armed Forces and its commander. In this role, the CDS heads the [[Armed Forces Council (Canada)|Armed 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 from [[National Defence Headquarters]] (NDHQ) in [[Ottawa]], Ontario. The sovereign and most other members of the [[Monarchy of Canada#Canada's royal family and house|Canadian Royal Family]] also act as [[Colonel-in-Chief|colonels-in-chief]], honorary [[Air Commodore|air commodores]], [[air commodores-in-chief]], admirals, and captains-general of Canadian Forces units, though these positions are ceremonial.

The Canadian Forces operate out of 27 [[Canadian Forces base]]s (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 the [[Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School]] in [[Saint-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 the [[Royal 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 27,000 [[Military reserve|reservists]], bringing the total force to approximately 95,000.<ref name="ND CAF FAQ 12">{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about/faq.page|title=Frequently Asked Questions 12  |last=Government of Canada |website= Department of National Defence |date=21 June 2013 |language=en|access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref> These individuals serve on numerous [[Canadian Forces base]]s in all regions of the country and are governed by the ''[[Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces|Queen's Regulations and Orders]]'' and the ''National Defence Act''.

===Royal Canadian Navy===
{{Main|Royal Canadian Navy}}
[[Image:HMCS_Calgary_(FFH-335)_leaves_Pearl_Harbor_in_July_2014.JPG|thumb|right|{{HMCS|Calgary|FFH 335|6}} of the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] departs [[Pearl Harbor]] for the at-sea phase of [[Exercise RIMPAC#RIMPAC 2014|RIMPAC 2014]]]]
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), headed by the [[commander of the Royal Canadian Navy]], includes 28 warships and submarines deployed in two fleets: [[Maritime Forces Pacific]] (MARPAC) at [[CFB Esquimalt]] on the west coast, and [[Maritime Forces Atlantic]] (MARLANT) at [[CFB Halifax]] on the east coast, as well as one formation: the Naval Reserve Headquarters (NAVRESHQ) at [[Quebec City]], Quebec. The fleet is augmented by various aircraft and supply vessels. The RCN participates in [[NATO]] exercises and operations, and ships are deployed all over the world in support of multinational deployments.

===Canadian Army===
{{Main|Canadian Army}}
[[File:120722-M-VB788-092 (7651158414).jpg|thumb|right|Soldiers from [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]] conducting an exercise during [[Exercise RIMPAC#RIMPAC 2012|RIMPAC 2012]]]]
The Canadian Army is headed by the [[commander of the Canadian Army]] and is administered through four divisions—the [[2nd Canadian Division]], the [[3rd Canadian Division]], the [[4th Canadian Division]] and the [[5th Canadian Division]]—the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training System and the Canadian Army Headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/news-publications/national-news-details-no-menu.page?doc=historical-features-of-the-canadian-army-restored/hivnkr3x|title=ARCHIVED - Article &#124; Historical Features of the Canadian Army Restored|first=National Defence|last=Government of Canada|date=8 July 2013|website=army-armee.forces.gc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/1st-canadian-division/index.page|title=1st Canadian Division|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312200015/http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/1st-canadian-division/index.page|archive-date=12 March 2014}}</ref>

Currently, the [[Regular Force]] component of the Army consists of three field-ready [[brigade group]]s: [[1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]], at [[CFB Edmonton]] and [[CFB Shilo]]; [[2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]], at [[CFB Petawawa]] and [[CFB Gagetown]]; and [[5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]], at [[CFB Valcartier]] and [[Quebec City]]. Each contains one regiment of [[artillery]], [[armoured warfare|armour]], and [[combat engineering|combat engineers]], three [[battalion]]s of [[infantry]] (all scaled in the British fashion), one battalion for [[military logistics|logistics]], a [[squadron (army)|squadron]] for [[military headquarters|headquarters]]/[[military communications|signals]], and several smaller support organizations. A tactical helicopter [[squadron (aviation)|squadron]] and a field ambulance are co-located with each brigade but do not form part of the brigade's command structure.

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions each have a Regular Force brigade group, and each division except the 1st has two to three Reserve Force brigades groups. In total, there are ten Reserve Force brigade groups. The [[5th Canadian Division]] and the [[Land Force Quebec Area|2nd Canadian Division]] each have two Reserve Force brigade groups, while the [[4th Canadian Division]] and the [[3rd Canadian Division]] each have three Reserve Force brigade groups. Major training and support establishments exist at [[CFB Gagetown]], [[CFB Montreal]] and [[CFB Wainwright]].

===Royal Canadian Air Force===
{{Main|Royal Canadian Air Force}}
[[File:Operation Inherent Resolve 150304-F-MG591-123.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18 Hornet]] over [[Iraq]] in support of [[Operation Impact]]]]
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is headed by the [[commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force]]. The commander of [[Royal Canadian Air Force#1 Canadian Air Division|1 Canadian Air Division]] and [[North American Aerospace Defense Command#Canadian NORAD Region|Canadian NORAD Region]], based in [[Winnipeg]], is responsible for the operational [[command and control]] of Air Force activities throughout Canada and worldwide. 1 Canadian Air Division operations are carried out through eleven [[Wing (military aviation unit)|wings]] located across Canada. The commander of [[2 Canadian Air Division]] is responsible for training and support functions. 2 Canadian Air Division operations are carried out at two wings. [[3 Canadian Space Division]] is responsible for delivering space power effects in support of Canadian Armed Forces operations, including space domain awareness, space-based support of military operations, and defending and protecting military space capabilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/corporate/3-canadian-space-division.html | title=3 Canadian Space Division |publisher=Department of National Defence | date=8 August 2022 | access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> Wings represent the grouping of various [[squadron (aviation)|squadrons]], both operational and support, under a single [[military tactics|tactical]] commander reporting to the operational commander and vary in size from several hundred personnel to several thousand.

Major air bases are in [[British Columbia]], Alberta, [[Saskatchewan]], Manitoba, [[Ontario]], Quebec, [[Nova Scotia]], and [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], while administrative and command and control facilities are in Winnipeg and [[North Bay, Ontario|North Bay]]. A Canadian component of the NATO Airborne Early Warning Force is also based at [[NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen]] near [[Geilenkirchen]], Germany.

The RCAF and [[Joint Task Force (North)]] (JTFN) also maintain at various points throughout Canada's northern region a chain of forward operating locations, each capable of supporting fighter operations. Elements of CF-18 [[squadron (aviation)|squadrons]] periodically deploy to these airports for short training exercises or Arctic sovereignty patrols.

===Canadian Joint Operations Command===
{{Main|Canadian Joint Operations Command}}

Canadian Joint Operations Command is an operational element established in October 2012 with the merger of [[Canada Command]], [[Canadian Expeditionary Force Command]] and [[Canadian Operational Support Command]]. The new command, created as a response to the cost-cutting measures in the 2012 federal budget, combines the resources, roles and responsibilities of the three former commands under a single headquarters.

===Canadian Special Operations Forces Command===
{{Main|Canadian Special Operations Forces Command}}
[[File:Canadian special operations regiment freefall jump at Hurlburt Field.JPG|thumb|Members of the [[Canadian Special Operations Regiment]] during a freefall jump out of a [[United States Air Force|USAF]] [[C-17 Globemaster III]]. The regiment is one of five units that make up [[Canadian Special Operations Forces Command|CANSOFCOM]].]]
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) is a formation capable of operating independently but primarily focused on generating [[special operations forces]] (SOF) elements to support CJOC. The command includes [[Joint Task Force 2]] (JTF2), the [[Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit]] (CJIRU) based at CFB Trenton, as well as the [[Canadian Special Operations Regiment]] (CSOR) and [[427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron]] (SOAS) based at CFB Petawawa.

===Information Management Group===
Among other things, the Information Management Group is responsible for the conduct of electronic warfare and the protection of the Armed Forces' communications and computer networks. Within the group, this operational role is fulfilled by the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group, headquartered at CFS Leitrim in Ottawa, which operates the following units: the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group Headquarters (CFIOGHQ), the Canadian Forces Electronic Warfare Centre (CFEWC), the Canadian Forces Network Operations Centre (CFNOC), the Canadian Forces Signals Intelligence Operations Centre (CFSOC), the [[CFS Leitrim|Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Leitrim]], and the 764 Communications Squadron. In June 2011 the Canadian Armed Forces Chief of Force Development announced the establishment of a new organization, the Directorate of Cybernetics, headed by a Brigadier-General, the Director General Cyber (DG Cyber). Within that directorate, the newly established CAF Cyber Task Force has been tasked to design and build cyber warfare capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces.<ref>The Maple Leaf, 22 June 2011, Vol. 14, No. 22, p.3</ref><ref>Khang Pham, Cyber Security: Do Your Part, The Maple Leaf, Vol. 15, No. 2, February 2012, p.12</ref>

===Royal Canadian Medical Service===
The [[Royal Canadian Medical Service]] is a personnel branch of the CAF, consisting of all members of medical occupations.

===Royal Canadian Dental Corps===
The [[Royal Canadian Dental Corps]] is a personnel branch of the CAF.

===Canadian Forces Health Services Group===
{{Main|Canadian Forces Health Services Group}}
The Health Services Group is a joint formation that includes over 120 general or specialized units and detachments providing health services to the Canadian Armed Forces. With few exceptions, all elements are under command of the Commander, who may also be appointed [[Surgeon General (Canada)|Surgeon General]] when the position is filled by a medical officer, for domestic support and force generation, or temporarily assigned under command of a deployed Joint Task Force through [[Canadian Joint Operations Command]].<ref>[http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/default-eng.asp "Canadian Forces Health Services website"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217230155/http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/default-eng.asp |date=17 February 2012 }} Retrieved on 18 February 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/pub/sgr-rmc-2010/default-eng.asp "Canadian Forces Health Services Group Surgeon General's Report 2010"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227105738/http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/pub/sgr-rmc-2010/default-eng.asp |date=27 December 2011 }} Retrieved on 18 February 2012</ref>

===Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command===
On 26 September 2024, [[Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command]] (CAFCYBERCOM) was established.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://canadiandefencereview.com/canadian-armed-forces-establishes-a-new-cyber-command/ |title=CAFCYBERCOM – The CAF's New Established Cyber Command |website=Canadian Defence Review |date=26 September 2024 |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

==Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force==
[[File:Canadian Rangers - Alert, Nunavut.jpg|thumb|A [[Canadian Rangers]] training camp in [[Alert, Nunavut]]. The Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the Canadian Armed Forces reserve force.]]
The Canadian Armed Forces have a total reserve force of approximately 50,000 primary and supplementary that can be called upon in times of national emergency or threat. For the components and sub-components of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force, the order of precedence follows:
*(1) [[Primary Reserve]] (26,000),
*(2) [[Canadian Forces Supplementary Reserve|Supplementary Reserve]] (11,000) Prior to 2002 this consisted of:
** (a) Supplementary Ready Reserve, and
** (b) Supplementary Holding Reserve,
after 2002 there is no sub-division of the Supplementary Reserve.
*(3) Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (7,500), and
*(4) Canadian Rangers (5,000).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://my.tbaytel.net/tgroulx/precedence.htm| last=Department of National Defence| author-link=Department of National Defence (Canada)| title=National Defence and the Canadian Forces > CFOA 66-6 Precedence in the Canadian Forces| date=15 February 2012| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=15 February 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207021151/http://my.tbaytel.net/tgroulx/precedence.htm| archive-date=7 February 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Primary Reserve===
{{Main|Primary Reserve}}
[[File:Cameron Highlanders On Parade - 11 September 2004.jpg|thumb|Members of [[The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own)|The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa]], an [[infantry regiment]] of the [[Primary Reserve]], march through Ottawa, [[Ontario]]]]
Approximately 26,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen,<ref name=DND1 >{{cite web| url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/view-news-afficher-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=2865| last=Department of National Defence| author-link=Department of National Defence (Canada)| title=National Defence and the Canadian Forces > About DND/CF| date=19 December 2008| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=2 January 2009}}</ref> 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 a [[Major-General|major-general]] or [[rear-admiral]], and is divided into four components that are each operationally and administratively responsible to its corresponding environmental command in the Regular Force—the [[Canadian Naval Reserve|Naval 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 the [[Canadian Forces Health Services Group]].

===Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service===
The [[Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service]] (COATS)<ref>"Administrative Order: Implementation of Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service", NDHQ 1085-30 (D Cdts 6) dated 2 July 2009.</ref> 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 the [[Canadian Cadet Organization]]. The majority of members in COATS are officers of the [[Cadet 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.

===Canadian Rangers===
The [[Canadian 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 of [[sovereignty]] over its northern territory.

== Defence policy ==
Since the [[Second World War]], Canadian defence policy has consistently stressed three overarching objectives:
* The defence of Canada itself;
* The defence of [[North America]] in co-operation with [[United States Armed Forces|US forces]];
* Contributing to broader international security.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us – National Defence – Canadian Forces|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about/canadian-armed-forces.page|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011004643/http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about/canadian-armed-forces.page|archive-date=11 October 2014|access-date=9 October 2014}}</ref>

During the [[Cold War]], a principal focus of Canadian defence policy was contributing to the security of [[Europe]] in the face of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] 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 the [[North 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 in [[Afghanistan]] from 2002 to 2014.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 March 2014|title=Canadian military involvement in Afghanistan formally ends|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-military-involvement-in-afghanistan-formally-ends-1.2569162|access-date=21 August 2017}}</ref>

The basis for current Canadian defence capability objectives was originally set in the [[Canada First Defence Strategy]],<ref name="CanadaFirst">{{cite web|last=Department of National Defence|date=30 March 2009|title=Canada First Defence Strategy|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first-premier/index-eng.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401033244/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first-premier/index-eng.asp|archive-date=1 April 2009|access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref> 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 the [[National 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 Canadian [[Defence Diplomacy|defence diplomacy]] through a range of activities, including the deployment of Canadian Defence Attachés,<ref>{{cite web|date=22 July 2010|title=Canadian Defence Attaché Network|url=http://www.outcan.forces.gc.ca/sites/page-eng.asp?page=8890|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706181618/http://www.outcan.forces.gc.ca/sites/page-eng.asp?page=8890|archive-date=6 July 2011|access-date=23 March 2011|publisher=Outcan.forces.gc.ca}}</ref> participation in bilateral and multilateral military forums (e.g. the [[System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces]]), ship and aircraft visits, military training and cooperation,<ref>For example, through the Military Training and Cooperation Program and its ancillary activities {{cite web|title=Military Training Cooperation Program|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/admpol/mtcp-eng.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429095743/http://www.forces.gc.ca/admpol/mtcp-eng.html|archive-date=29 April 2011|access-date=10 March 2011}}</ref> and other such outreach and relationship-building efforts.

===Military expenditures===
The [[Constitution of Canada]] gives the federal government exclusive responsibility for national defence, and expenditures are thus outlined in the [[Canadian federal budget|federal budget]]. DND’s main estimates for 2023–24 totalled $26.5&nbsp;billion, including various votes and statutory funding. Operating ($17.9&nbsp;billion), capital ($6.1&nbsp;billion), and grants and contributions ($320&nbsp;million). Most of the budget is allocated to personnel (34%), operating (34%), and capital (22%).<ref name="e505">{{cite web | title=Defence Budget | website=Canada.ca | date=September 25, 2023 | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/transition-materials/transition-assoc-dm/defence-budget.html | access-date=January 23, 2025}}</ref>

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".<ref name="new defence policy 2017">{{cite web|title=Strong, Secure, Engaged|url=http://dgpaapp.forces.gc.ca/en/canada-defence-policy/docs/canada-defence-policy-report.pdf|website=dgpaapp.forces.gc.ca|publisher=Minister of National Defence}}</ref> It is believed that this move was made to improve Canada's defence-related NATO reporting metrics.<ref name="nato and defence metrics">{{cite news|last1=Scotti|first1=Monique|title=Even with new military investments, Canada to fall short of NATO target|work=Global News|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3509744/even-with-new-military-investments-canada-to-fall-short-of-nato-target/}}</ref>

In 2024 the government announced plans to increase defence spending by $77&nbsp;billon 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/liberal-government-defence-policy-boosts-military-spending-commits-to-new-purchases-of-helicopters-missiles-aircraft |title=Liberal government defence policy boosts military spending, commits to new purchases of helicopters, missiles, aircraft |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=8 April 2024 |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/06/09/canadas-new-government-rebuilding-rearming-and-reinvesting-canadian |title=Canada's new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces|date=9 June 2025 |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref>

== Ranks ==
{{Main|Canadian Armed Forces ranks and insignia}}

==Uniforms==
{{Main|Uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces}}
[[File:Canadian Armed Forces operational uniforms.jpg|thumb|Operational dress uniforms for naval, field and air operations, shown here with naval rank insignia.]]
Although the Canadian Armed Forces are a single service, there are four similar but [[Uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces#distinctive environmental uniforms|distinctive 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:<ref>Canada – National Defence: "[http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/reserve/training-instruction-eng.asp/ A-AD-265-000/AG-001 CANADIAN FORCES DRESS INSTRUCTIONS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323111639/http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/reserve/training-instruction-eng.asp |date=23 March 2010 }}"</ref>
* Ceremonial dress, including regimental [[full dress]], patrol dress, naval high-collar whites, and service-dress uniforms with ceremonial accoutrements such as swords, white web belts, gloves, etc.
* [[Mess dress]], which ranges from full mess kit with mess jacket, [[cummerbund]], or [[waistcoat]], etc., to service dress with bow tie
* [[Service dress]], also called a ''walking-out'' or ''duty uniform'', is the military equivalent of the business suit, with an optional white summer uniform for naval CF members
* Operational dress, an originally specialized uniform for wear in an operational environment, is now for everyday wear on base or in garrison
* Occupational dress, which is specialized uniform articles for particular occupations (e.g., medical, dental, firefighter)

Only service dress is suitable for CAF members to wear on any occasion, barring "dirty work" or combat. With gloves, swords, and medals (No.&nbsp;1 or 1A), it is suitable for ceremonial occasions and "dressed down" (No.&nbsp;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.). Approved [[parka]]s are authorized for winter wear in cold climates and a light casual jacket is also authorized for cooler days. 
[[File:Royal 22e.jpg|thumb|The [[Royal 22nd Regiment]] parading in full dress for the [[400th anniversary of Quebec City]]. The Canadian Army's universal full dress includes a [[red coat (military uniform)|scarlet tunic]], and [[midnight blue]] trousers.]]
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 a [[red coat (military uniform)|scarlet tunic]], [[midnight blue]] trousers with a scarlet trouser stripe.<ref name=uniform>{{cite book|chapter-url=http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/pub/ins-265/dhh_dress_instr_adh265000_ag001-19Sep16-eng.pdf|title=Canadian Armed Forces Dress Instruction|chapter=6-1|page=211|access-date=11 June 2018|date=1 June 2001|publisher=Canadian Armed Forces|archive-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730135902/http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/pub/ins-265/dhh_dress_instr_adh265000_ag001-19Sep16-eng.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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]], and [[Voltigeur]]/[[Rifle regiment]]s. 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.<ref name=uniform/> Naval full dress includes a [[navy blue]] tunic and trousers with white facings, although the Canadian Forces dress instructions state that naval full dress is no longer worn.<ref name=uniform/>

Authorized headdresses for the Canadian Armed Forces is the: [[Military beret|beret]], [[Garrison cap|wedge cap]], [[Baseball cap|ballcap]], [[Canadian military fur wedge cap|Yukon cap]], and [[tuque]] (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 uniform [[turban]]s ([[dastar]]) (or [[patka]], when operational) and Muslim women may wear uniform tucked [[hijab]]s under their authorized headdress. Jews may wear [[yarmulke]] 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 the [[glengarry]], [[balmoral bonnet|balmoral]], [[Tam o'shanter (hat)|tam o'shanter]], and [[caubeen]] instead of the beret. The officer cadets of both Royal Military Colleges wear gold-braided "pillbox" (cavalry) caps with their [[Full dress|ceremonial dress]] and have a unique fur [[Canadian military fur wedge cap|"Astrakhan"]] for winter wear. The CAF wears the [[CG634]] helmet.

==Symbolism and honours==
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 the [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian monarchy]]. Members of [[Monarchy of Canada#Royal family and house|the country's royal family]] maintain personal relationships with the forces' divisions and regiments.<ref name="Tidridge2011">{{cite book|author=Nathan Tidridge|title=Canada's constitutional monarchy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JvGsvHsAtDgC&pg=PA84|year= 2011|publisher=Dundurn Press|isbn=978-1-4597-0084-0|page=84}}</ref><ref name=CRHTAF>{{cite web|url=http://www.crht.ca/DiscoverMonarchyFiles/ArmedForces.html |author=Gary Toffoli |title=The Royal Family and the Armed Forces |publisher=Canadian Royal Heritage Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701050507/http://www.crht.ca/DiscoverMonarchyFiles/ArmedForces.html |archive-date=1 July 2007 }}</ref>

The monarch is regarded as the [[fount of honour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/hon/nat-honour-honneur/index-eng.htm |last=Royal Canadian Mounted Police |title=Honours and Recognition Programs: Canadian National Honours |publisher=Queen's Printer |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323114038/http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/hon/nat-honour-honneur/index-eng.htm |archive-date=23 March 2009 }}</ref><ref name=DND>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/chc-tdh/chart-tableau-eng.asp?ref=SM |last=Department of National Defence |author-link=Department of National Defence (Canada) |title=Canadian Honours Chart: Sacrifice Medal (SM) |publisher=Queen's Printer |access-date=2 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114162425/http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/chc-tdh/chart-tableau-eng.asp?ref=SM |archive-date=14 November 2009 }}</ref> and the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Canada|Canadian system of orders, decorations, and medals]] includes numerous specifically for the military, such as the [[Victoria Cross (Canada)|Victoria Cross]], [[Order of Military Merit (Canada)|Order of Military Merit]], [[Cross of Valour (Canada)|Cross of Valour]], [[Star of Courage (Canada)|Star of Courage]], and [[Medal of Bravery (Canada)|Medal of Bravery]].<ref name=McCreery2005kii>{{cite book|author=Christopher McCreery|title=The Order of Canada: its origins, history, and development|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4f_dQFXQpVkC&pg=PA228|year=2005|publisher=University of Toronto Press|isbn=978-0-8020-3940-8|page=228|author-link=Christopher McCreery}}</ref> The Victoria Cross is the highest honour in Canada. The British version was presented to 94 Canadians and two Newfoundlanders<ref name=Filey1993>{{cite book | author= Mike Filey |title=More Toronto sketches: "the way we were"|url=https://archive.org/details/moretorontosketc0000file| url-access= registration |year= 1993|publisher=Dundurn Press|isbn=978-1-55002-201-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/moretorontosketc0000file/page/175 175]|author-link=Mike Filey}}</ref> between its creation in 1856 and 1993, when the Canadian Victoria Cross was instituted.<ref name=McCreery2005kii/> No Canadian has received either honour since 1945.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/article/189029 |author=Isabel Teotonio|work=[[Toronto Star]] |title=Vets irate at Victoria Cross proposal|access-date=12 July 2007|date=7 March 2007}}</ref>

During the unification of the forces in the 1960s, a renaming of the branches took place, resulting in the loss of the ''royal'' designations for the Navy and Air Force.<ref name="MurrayViotti1994pl">{{cite book|author1=Douglas J. Murray|author2=Paul R. Viotti|title=The defense policies of nations: a comparative study|url=https://archive.org/details/defensepolicieso00doug|url-access=registration|year=1994|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-4794-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/defensepolicieso00doug/page/84 84]}}</ref> 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 name ''Canadian Army''; and Maritime Command the name ''Royal Canadian Navy''.<ref name=Restoration>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2011.08.0889.html|title=Restoration of traditional military service names welcomed|publisher=Government of New Brunswick |year=2011|access-date=1 January 2012}}</ref> The government stated that the change was made to better reflect Canada's military heritage and align Canada with other [[Commonwealth realm]]s whose militaries use the ''royal'' designation, while political opponents claimed the changes were more politically motivated and designed to appeal to monarchists in the [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative party]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Meagan |date=17 August 2011 |title=Peter MacKay hails 'royal' renaming of military |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/peter-mackay-hails-royal-renaming-of-military-1.1059811 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref><ref name=Restoration/>

==Military families==
[[File:Canadian Armed Forces families.png|frameless|upright=1.3|right]]
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.<ref name="z178">{{cite web | title=Military families in Canada | website=Statistics Canada | date=13 January 2025 | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2025001-eng.htm | access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref name="z178"/>

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.<ref name="z178"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada}}
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Authorized marches of the Canadian Armed Forces]]
* [[Canadian Armed Forces order of precedence]]
* [[Canadian Forces Military Police]]
* [[Canadian Forces Radio and Television]]
* [[Canadian war cemeteries]]
* [[Canadian war memorials]]
* [[Code of Service Discipline]]
* [[List of Canadian military occupations]]
* [[List of historical equipment of the Canadian military]]
* [[List of military equipment of Canada]]
* [[Planned Canadian Forces projects]]
* [[Postal Branch]]
 }}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="N"}}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Statistics Canada}}

==Further reading==
{{main|Bibliography of Canadian military history}}
{{refbegin}}
*Beaudet, Normand (1993). ''Le Mythe de la défense canadienne''. Montréal: Éditions Écosociété. {{ISBN|2-921561-11-5}}
*{{cite book
|last=Morton|first=Desmond
|title=A military history of Canada
|publisher=McClelland and Stewart
|location=Toronto
|year=1999
|edition=4th
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ui8ecMckv08C&q=A%20military%20history%20of%20Canada&pg=PP1
|isbn=0-7710-6514-0
}}
*Rennick, Joanne Benham (2013). [http://afs.sagepub.com/content/39/3/511.abstract "Canadian Values and Military Operations in the Twenty-First Century,"] [[Armed Forces & Society]] 39, No. 3, pp.&nbsp;511–30
*Leuprecht, Christian & Sokolsky, Joel. (2014). [http://afs.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/07/02/0095327X14536562.abstract ''Defense Policy "Walmart Style" Canadian Lessons in "not so grand" Grand Strategy.''] Armed Forces & Society Journal Online First.
* {{Cite book |last = Granatstein |first =J. L |year =2004 |title =Canada's army: waging war and keeping the peace
  |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=jqxyhNcha3sC&q=Army%20%20of%20Canada&pg=PP1 |publisher=University of Toronto Press |isbn=  0-8020-8696-9}}
* {{Cite book |last =Zuehlke |first =Mark  |year =2006 |title =Canadian Military Atlas: Four Centuries of Conflict from New France to Kosovo |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=KyNlm8SuplEC&q=canadian%20military%20atlas&pg=PP1 |publisher=  Douglas & McIntyre|isbn= 978-1-55365-209-0}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930152520/http://www.collectionscanada.ca/faces-of-war/ Faces of War] at Library and Archives Canada
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca Combat Camera] – Official CF photo website
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/canmildoc/featured Canadian Military Documentary channel] on YouTube

{{Canadian Armed Forces}}
{{Evolution of the Military of Canada}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}
{{Military of the Americas}}
{{Government agencies of Canada}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Canadian Armed Forces| ]]
[[Category:Department of National Defence (Canada)]]
[[Category:Uniformed services of Canada]]