A Time for Transformation

A Report to Parliament by the Chief of the Defence Staff

The Minister of National Defence tabled the Annual Report for 2002/03 to Parliament by the Chief of the Defence Staff on June 10. In this, his second report, Gen Ray Henault stressed that pursuing a transformation agenda will be difficult.

“We continue to be stretched. Difficult decisions and choices will be required. But now is not the time to pause in our resolve to reposition Canada’s military as a relevant, combat-capable player in the new defence and security environment. In the coming year we will become much more sustainable and continue to undertake the transformation that is so necessary to ensure the relevance of the CF and the security of Canada in the years ahead,” said Gen Henault.

“Canada is served by a tough, professional defence force of which we can all be proud. By continuing to work together, I am confident that we will remain a vital and modern defence and security institution for Canada.”

This year’s report describes the major international and domestic operations undertaken by the CF in 2002-03, including its participation in the international campaign against terrorism, as well as its recent achievements and progress on key institutional priorities that has laid the foundation for transformation.

The report also examines the challenges that the CF is currently facing and outlines some of the broader issues confronting the leadership of the Forces.

Lastly, it outlines the priorities for the Forces, which are to continue to invest in its people, accelerate modernization of the force structure, expand and enhance its relationships with partners and allies in defence and security, and deliver on operations, particularly Operation ATHENA where almost 1,900 CF Army troops have been deployed to Afghanistan in a dangerous peace support operation.

The CDS said the Forces continue to be stretched. Dangerous decisions and choices will be required. The report is available at www.cds.forces.gc.ca/pubs/anrpt2003/intro_e.asp.

General orders rest for troops

Canada's Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Ray Henault has said that he is “ordering an 18 month moratorium on new army deployments.” He cited Canada's upcoming mission in Afghanistan, Operation ATHENA, as the reason why Canada will have to take time off from accepting further ground missions.  Despite earlier recommendations by the Canadian Senate that called for a temporary halt to deployments, Canadian officials still decided to commit troops to Afghanistan.  Earlier this year, Maj.-Gen. Cameron Ross, director-general of international security policy, tendered his resignation over Ottawa's decision to send troops to Afghanistan. – Edmonton Sun, 12 Jun 03. 

Op APOLLO Reduced

After 18 months of high operational tempo in the Arabian Gulf, the Navy is getting a much-needed break. Its contribution to Operation APOLLO Coalition task force is being reduced to a single warship – currently HMCS Calgary from CFB Esquimalt.

The Minister of National Defence said that we are now at the point where we can reduce operations in the Arabian Gulf and to shift our main efforts to the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan.

During the previous 18 months, 14 Canadian Navy ships rotated through the Gulf.

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