Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

Until 1964, there existed a chief of the Naval Staff, as head of the Royal Canadian Navy; a chief of the General Staff, as head of the Canadian Army; and a chief of the Air Staff, as head of the Royal Canadian Air Force. A position known as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee existed from 1951 to 1964, which had a loose coordination function, although it lacked the command and control responsibilities of the later position of chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).{{Citation| last=Canadian Army| date=1949–1964| contribution=Fonds of the Chief of the General Staff| editor-last=Department of National Defence| editor-link=Department of National Defence (Canada)| title=Histories > DHH Historical Research Centre > Research > DHH Archive Database > Reports > Miscellaneous Reports/Documents > DHH Archival Database Extract| page=40| publication-place=Ottawa| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| id=97/10| url=http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/his/rep-rap/doc/misc/Archives.pdf| access-date=22 September 2009}} Only two officers served in the role in its 13-year history:General Charles Foulkes (1951–1960) and Air Chief Marshal Frank Robert Miller (1960–1964).{{cite journal |author=Stouffer, Ray |url=http://www.journal.dnd.ca/vol10/no2/08-stouffer-eng.asp |title=Air Chief Marshal Frank Miller – A Civilian and Military Leader |journal=Canadian Military Journal |volume=10 |number=2 |date=2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926121630/http://www.journal.dnd.ca/vol10/no2/08-stouffer-eng.asp |archive-date=September 26, 2010 }}

The position of chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the positions of the three service chiefs were abolished in 1964 and replaced by the position of CDS. This change was based on a white paper initiated by National Defence Minister Paul Hellyer in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.{{cite web| url=http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/page-708-eng.asp| last=Government of Canada| title=Canadian Military History Gateway > Volume 3 (1872–2000) > CHAPTER 7: From Cold War to Present Day > Unification > Hellyer's Integration of the Three Services| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=27 August 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704183713/http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/page-708-eng.asp| archive-date=4 July 2012| url-status=dead}} Following the tabling of the white paper, the minister introduced legislation that took effect in August 1964. The newly established chief of the Defence Staff was to "head all of Canada's military forces, backed by a defence headquarters that was integrated and restructured to reflect six so-called functional commands, replacing eleven former service commands. Functional described a command that was non-geographic and beyond any particular service or traditional arm." In May 1967, Bill C-243 was passed by parliament and was effective as of 1 February 1968. The law dissolved the three armed services and created the Canadian Armed Forces under the command of the CDS.{{cite web| url=http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/page-709-eng.asp| last=Government of Canada| title=Canadian Military History Gateway > Volume 3 (1872–2000) > CHAPTER 7: From Cold War to Present Day > Unification > Implementing Unification| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=27 August 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704185730/http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/page-709-eng.asp| archive-date=4 July 2012| url-status=dead}} In 2011, the three functional commands—named Maritime Command, Land Force Command, and Air Command—had their original names reinstated, becoming once again the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force, respectively.{{cite news| last=Fitzpatrick| first=Meagan| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/peter-mackay-hails-royal-renaming-of-military-1.1059811| title=Peter MacKay hails 'royal' renaming of military| publisher=CBC| date=16 August 2011| access-date=26 September 2011}}

The chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) follows in rank only the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, who is the Canadian monarch represented by the governor general. The National Defence Act gives the authority to appoint the CDS to the Governor-in-Council;{{citation| url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/N-5.pdf| title=National Defence Act| author=Elizabeth II| date=1985| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| at=18(1)| location=Ottawa| accessdate=25 July 2022}} effectively, the governor general acting on the constitutional advice of his or her ministers of the Crown. The commander-in-chief is the person from whom the CDS receives his or her orders.{{cite web| url=http://www.cds.forces.gc.ca/res/index-eng.asp| last=Department of National Defence| author-link=Department of National Defence (Canada)| title=CDS Home > Responsibilities > CDS – Responsibilities| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=22 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013184349/http://www.cds.forces.gc.ca/res/index-eng.asp| archive-date=13 October 2009}} However, according to the tenets of constitutional monarchy and responsible government, the monarch and viceroy almost always follow ministerial direction, meaning the CDS normally advises the prime minister and the rest of Cabinet directly on military matters.

The CDS has been charged with four main priorities, each having multiple sub-priorities: The first is to conduct operations, which includes the successful implementation of domestic and international operations, protection of the forces through a culture of risk management, and ensuring that recruitment is at a level required to sustain the operational forces at full potential to meet their commitments.{{cite web| url=http://www.cds.forces.gc.ca/pri/index-eng.asp| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415172506/http://www.cds.forces.gc.ca/pri/index-eng.asp| url-status=dead| archive-date=15 April 2009| title=Chief of the Defence Staff > Priorities > About the CDS – Defence Priorities for 2009–2010| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=22 September 2009}} Secondly, the CDS is expected to expand the regular and reserve forces to meet international and domestic obligations, which means the management of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group so as to streamline the enlistment process of new forces members. The third task is to implement the national defence strategy as outlined by the King-in-Council, requiring both the acquisition of new equipment and the strengthening of diplomatic relations via the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and North American Aerospace Defence Command." Lastly, the CDS must enhance the forces' programme delivery while optimising the use of resources.

The CDS is also the chair of the Canadian Forces Decorations Advisory Committee, which reviews and recommends to the governor general members of the forces eligible to receive decorations for valour, bravery, and meritorious service, as well as Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendations.{{citation| last=Department of National Defence| author-link=Department of National Defence (Canada)| title=Honours & Recognition for the Men and Women of the Canadian Forces| place=Ottawa| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| year=2007| page=105| url=http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/pub/doc/hrmwcf-dhrhffc-2007.pdf| access-date=22 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326170323/http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/pub/doc/hrmwcf-dhrhffc-2007.pdf| archive-date=26 March 2009}} This committee mirrors that for the Order of Military Merit, of which the CDS is ex-officio a member and the Principal Commander.{{cite web| url=http://www.gg.ca/honours/nat-ord/omm/index_e.asp| last=Office of the Governor General of Canada| author-link=Governor General of Canada| title=Honours > National Orders > Order of Military Merit| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=22 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803130348/http://www.gg.ca/honours/nat-ord/omm/index_e.asp| archive-date=3 August 2009}}

Separately, the CDS presents the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation ({{langx|fr|link=no|Mention élogieuse du Chef d'état-major de la Défense}}) to recognize activity or service beyond regular expectations.{{citation| url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/mdn-dnd/D3-23-2013.pdf| author=Government of Canada| title=Honours and Recognition for the Men and Women of the Canadian Armed Forces| page=17| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| year=2013| location=Ottawa| access-date=16 November 2015}}{{cite web| url=http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/chc-tdh/chart-tableau-eng.asp?ref=CDSCommendation| author=Department of National Defence| title=Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=18 November 2015| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119072550/http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhr-ddhr/chc-tdh/chart-tableau-eng.asp?ref=CDSCommendation| archive-date=19 November 2015}} It can be presented to members of the Canadian Forces, civilian members of the Defence Team (in an overseas operation), and members of an allied foreign military (whose actions benefited Canada). The insignia for wear has the form of a gold bar bearing three gold maple leaves and the award comes with a scroll bearing the citation. The CDS also awards the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, which is given by the CDS on behalf of the entire forces.{{Harvnb| Department of National Defence| 2007| p=80}}

The CDS is entitled to fly the Canadian Armed Forces ensign – a white flag bearing the Canadian flag in the canton and defaced by the badge of the Canadian Armed Forces – as a distinguishing flag.{{Cite web|last=Defence|first=National|date=2018-10-12|title=Heritage Structure {{!}} Chapter 14 – Distinguishing standards, flags, pennants and plates|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/caf/military-identity-system/heritage-manual/chapter-14.html|access-date=2021-01-15|website=aem}}

{{Officeholder table start

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| showtermend = y

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| showdefencebranch = y

| showparty = n

| showelection = y

| election_title = Home province

| showaltofficeholder = y

| alt_officeholder_title = Appointed by

| showcabinet = y

| cabinet_title = Prime minister

| showref = y

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 1

| image = Air Chief Marshal Frank R Miller.jpg

| military_rank = Air Chief Marshal{{efn|This rank was used during the 20th century existence of the Royal Canadian Air Force and replaced with the rank of general in 1968 with the unification of the Canadian Forces. See :Category:Canadian Forces Air Command generals for such officers. Miller was one of only two Canadian Air Chief Marshals, the other being Lloyd Samuel Breadner}}

| officeholder = Frank Robert Miller

| officeholder_sort = Miller, Frank Robert

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1908

| died_year = 1997

| term_start = 1 August 1964

| term_end = 14 July 1966

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1964|08|01|1966|07|14}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Royal Canadian Air Force

| election = British Columbia

| alt_officeholder = Georges Vanier

| alt_officeholder_sort = Vanier, Georges

| cabinet = {{sortname|Lester B.|Pearson|Lester B. Pearson}}

| ref = {{cite book| last=Legault| first=Albert| title=A Diplomacy of Hope: Canada and Disarmament| publisher=McGill-Queen's Press| isbn=0-7735-0955-0| year=1992}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 2

| image = General-Allard-NCSM-QUÉBEC.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Jean-Victor Allard

| officeholder_sort = Allard, Jean Victor

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1913

| died_year = 1996

| term_start = 15 July 1966

| term_end = 14 September 1969

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1966|07|15|1969|09|14}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Canadian Army

| election = Quebec

| alt_officeholder = Georges Vanier

| alt_officeholder_sort = Vanier, Georges

| cabinet = {{sortname|Lester B.|Pearson|Lester B. Pearson}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Militaris/eng/land/people/pplpopup/c.1.1a.html| title=General Jean-Victor Allard| publisher=Virtual Museum of Canada| access-date=21 March 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226130041/http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Militaris/eng/land/people/pplpopup/c.1.1a.html| archive-date=26 February 2010| df=dmy-all}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 3

| image =

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Frederick Ralph Sharp

| officeholder_sort = Sharp, Frederick Ralph

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1915

| died_year = 1992

| term_start = 15 September 1969

| term_end = 14 September 1972

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1969|09|15|1972|09|14}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Air Command

| election = Saskatchewan

| alt_officeholder = Roland Michener

| alt_officeholder_sort = Michener, Roland

| cabinet = {{sortname|Pierre |Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite book| last=Preston| first=Richard| title=To Serve Canada| publisher=University of Ottawa Press| isbn=0-7766-0327-2| year=1991}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 4

| image = CBC war correspondents Normand Eaves, holding the microphone, and Norman McBain... - Le correspondant de guerre Normand Eaves, au micro, et Norman McBain....jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Jacques Alfred Dextraze

| officeholder_sort = Dextraze, Jacques Alfred

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1919

| died_year = 1993

| term_start = 15 September 1972

| term_end = 31 August 1977

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1972|09|15|1977|08|31}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Mobile Command

| election = Quebec

| alt_officeholder = Jules Léger

| alt_officeholder_sort = Léger, Jules

| cabinet = {{sortname|Pierre |Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite book| last=Horn| first=Bernd| title=Loyal service: Perspectives on French-Canadian Military Leaders| publisher=Dundurn Press Ltd.| isbn=1-55002-693-3| year=2007}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 5

| image =

| military_rank = Admiral

| officeholder = Robert Hilborn Falls

| officeholder_sort = Falls, Robert Hilborn

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1924

| died_year = 2009

| term_start = 15 September 1977

| term_end = 30 May 1980

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1977|09|15|1980|05|30}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Maritime Command

| election = Ontario

| alt_officeholder = Jules Léger

| alt_officeholder_sort = Léger, Jules

| cabinet = {{sortname|Pierre |Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite book| last=Martell| first=Paul| title=World Military Leaders| publisher=Bowker| isbn=0-8352-0785-4| year=1974| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/worldmilitarylea0000unse}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 6

| image = blank.png

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Ramsey Muir Withers

| officeholder_sort = Withers, Ramsey Muir

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1930

| died_year = 2014

| term_start = 31 May 1980

| term_end = 30 June 1983

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1980|05|31|1983|06|30}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Mobile Command

| election = Ontario

| alt_officeholder = Edward Schreyer

| alt_officeholder_sort = Schreyer, Edward

| cabinet = {{sortname|Pierre |Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite web|url=http://www.cda-cdai.ca/CDAI/Withers.htm| title=General Ramsey M. Withers| publisher=Conference of Defence Associations| access-date=21 March 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928050238/http://www.cda-cdai.ca/CDAI/Withers.htm| archive-date=28 September 2007 }}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 7

| image =

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault

| officeholder_sort = Thériault, Gérard Charles Édouard

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1932

| died_year = 1998

| term_start = 1 July 1983

| term_end = 2 July 1986

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1983|07|01|1986|07|02}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Air Command

| election = Quebec

| alt_officeholder = Edward Schreyer

| alt_officeholder_sort = Schreyer, Edward

| cabinet = {{sortname|Pierre |Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite book| last=Marsh| first=James| title=The Canadian Encyclopedia| publisher=Hurtig Publishers| isbn=0-88830-330-0| year=2006| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/canadianencyclop04mars}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 8

| image = Paul David Manson DF-ST-87-12525.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Paul David Manson

| officeholder_sort = Manson, Paul David

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1934

| died_year = 2023

| term_start = 11 July 1986

| term_end = 8 September 1989

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1986|07|11|1989|09|08}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Air Command

| election = British Columbia

| alt_officeholder = Jeanne Sauvé

| alt_officeholder_sort = Sauvé, Jeanne

| cabinet = {{sortname|Brian|Mulroney}}

| ref = {{cite web|url=http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=maker&t=93978&d=1857 |title=Gen. Paul D. MANSON |publisher=Canadian Who's Who 1997 |access-date=21 March 2009 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 9

| image = Cdsdechastelain (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = John de Chastelain

| officeholder_sort = de Chastelain, John

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1937

| died_year =

| term_start = 8 September 1989

| term_end = 29 January 1993

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1989|09|08|1993|01|29}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Mobile Command

| election = Alberta

| alt_officeholder = Jeanne Sauvé

| alt_officeholder_sort = Sauvé, Jeanne

| cabinet = {{sortname|Brian|Mulroney}}

| ref = {{cite book| last=Bernd| first=Horn| title=Warrior Chiefs: Perspectives on Senior Canadian Military Leaders| publisher=Dundurn Press Ltd.| isbn=1-55002-351-9| year=2001| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/warriorchiefsper0000unse}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 10

| image = Admiral John Rogers Anderson HMCS QUÉBEC.png

| military_rank = Admiral

| officeholder = John Rogers Anderson

| officeholder_sort = Anderson, John

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1941

| died_year =

| term_start = 29 January 1993

| term_end = 31 December 1993

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1993|01|29|1993|12|31}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Maritime Command

| election = British Columbia

| alt_officeholder = Ray Hnatyshyn

| alt_officeholder_sort = Hnatyshyn, Ray

| cabinet = {{sortname|Brian|Mulroney}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=allen&t=115955&d=1252| title=Admiral John R. ANDERSON| publisher=Canadian Who's Who 1997| access-date=21 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 9

| image = Cdsdechastelain (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = John de Chastelain

| officeholder_sort = de Chastelain, John

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1937

| died_year =

| term_start = 1 January 1994

| term_end = 31 December 1995

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1994|01|01|1995|12|31}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Land Force Command

| election = Alberta

| alt_officeholder = Ray Hnatyshyn

| alt_officeholder_sort = Hnatyshyn, Ray

| cabinet = {{sortname|Jean|Chrétien}}

| ref =

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 11

| image =

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Joseph Édouard Jean Boyle

| officeholder_sort = Boyle, Joseph Édouard Jean

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1947

| died_year =

| term_start = 1 January 1996

| term_end = 8 October 1996

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1996|01|01|1996|10|08}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Air Command

| election = Ontario

| alt_officeholder = Roméo LeBlanc

| alt_officeholder_sort = LeBlanc, Roméo

| cabinet = {{sortname|Jean|Chrétien}}

| ref = {{cite web|url=http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=boyd&t=33236&d=1865 |title=General Joseph Édouard Jean BOYLE |publisher=Canadian Who's Who 1997 |access-date=21 March 2009 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = –

| image = Larry Murray.png

| military_rank = Vice-Admiral

| officeholder = Larry Murray

| officeholder_sort = Murray, Larry

| officeholder_note =

| acting = y

| born_year = 1947

| died_year =

| term_start = 8 October 1996

| term_end = 17 September 1997

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1996|10|08|1997|09|17}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Maritime Command

| election = Ontario

| alt_officeholder = Roméo LeBlanc

| alt_officeholder_sort = LeBlanc, Roméo

| cabinet = {{sortname|Jean|Chrétien}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=munn&t=63803&d=1142| title=Vice-Admiral Larry MURRAY| publisher=Canadian Who's Who 1997| access-date=21 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 12

| image = Maurice Baril.JPG

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Maurice Baril

| officeholder_sort = Baril, Maurice

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1943

| died_year =

| term_start = 17 September 1997

| term_end = 28 June 2001

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|1997|09|17|2001|06|28}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Land Force Command

| election = Quebec

| alt_officeholder = Roméo LeBlanc

| alt_officeholder_sort = LeBlanc, Roméo

| cabinet = {{sortname|Jean|Chrétien}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=25| title=Assumption of Command of Lieutenant-General J.M.G. Baril| publisher=Governor General of Canada| access-date=21 March 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://archive.today/20030826230714/http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=25| archive-date=26 August 2003| df=dmy-all}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 13

| image = Raymond Henault NATO.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Raymond Henault

| officeholder_sort = Henault, Raymond

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1949

| died_year =

| term_start = 28 June 2001

| term_end = 17 June 2005

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2001|06|28|2005|06|17}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Air Command

| election = Manitoba

| alt_officeholder = Adrienne Clarkson

| alt_officeholder_sort = Clarkson, Adrienne

| cabinet = {{sortname|Jean|Chrétien}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=http://www.nato.int/cv/milcom/henault-e.htm| title=NATO Biographies: Chairman of the Military Committee, General Raymond Henault| publisher=North Atlantic Treaty Organization| access-date=21 March 2009}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 14

| image = Rick Hillier in Colorado.png

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Rick Hillier

| officeholder_sort = Hillier, Rick

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1955

| died_year =

| term_start = 17 June 2005

| term_end = 1 July 2008

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2005|06|17|2008|07|01}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Land Force Command

| election = Newfoundland and Labrador

| alt_officeholder = Adrienne Clarkson

| alt_officeholder_sort = Clarkson, Adrienne

| cabinet = {{sortname|Paul|Martin}}

| cabinet2 = {{sortname|Stephen|Harper}}

| ref = {{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/hillier/| title=CBC News in Depth: Gen. Rick Hillier| publisher=CBC| access-date=21 March 2009| date=15 April 2008}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 15

| image = Walter Natynczyk.png

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Walter Natynczyk

| officeholder_sort = Natynczyk, Walter

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1957

| died_year =

| term_start = 1 July 2008

| term_end = 29 October 2012

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2008|07|01|2012|10|29}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Canadian Army{{efn|Known as Land Force Command until 2011}}

| election = Manitoba

| alt_officeholder = Michaëlle Jean

| alt_officeholder_sort = Jean, Michaëlle

| cabinet = {{sortname|Stephen|Harper}}

| ref = {{cite news|url=http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/deputy-minister| title=Deputy Minister General (retired) Walt Natynczyk| publisher=Veterans Affairs Canada| access-date=2 March 2018| date=15 April 2015}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 16

| image = Lieutenant-General Thomas J Lawson.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Thomas J. Lawson

| officeholder_sort = Lawson, Thomas J.

| officeholder_note =

| acting =

| born_year = 1957

| died_year =

| term_start = 29 October 2012

| term_end = 17 July 2015

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2012|10|29|2015|07|17}}

| died =

| defence_branch = Royal Canadian Air Force

| election = Ontario

| alt_officeholder = David Johnston

| alt_officeholder_sort = Johnston, David

| cabinet = {{sortname|Stephen|Harper}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/gen-thomas-lawson-named-canadas-new-chief-of-defence-staff/article4500636/| title=General Thomas J. Lawson named Canada's New Chief of Defence Staff| publisher=The Globe and Mail| access-date=2 October 2012}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 17

| image = Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford, and Canadian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Jonathan Vance

| officeholder_sort = Vance, Jonathan

| born_year = 1964

| died_year =

| term_start = 17 July 2015

| term_end = 14 January 2021

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2015|07|17|2021|01|14}}

| defence_branch = Canadian Army

| election = Ontario

| alt_officeholder = David Johnston

| alt_officeholder_sort = Johnston, David

| cabinet = {{sortname|Stephen|Harper}}

| cabinet2 = {{sortname|Justin|Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite web| url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2116383/new-defence-chief-pledges-to-stamp-out-sexual-misconduct/| title=New defence chief pledges to stamp out sexual misconduct| publisher=Global News| access-date=17 July 2015}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 18

| image = Arthur G. McDonald in 2020 (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = Admiral

| officeholder = Art McDonald

| officeholder_sort = McDonald, Art

| born_year = 1967

| died_year =

| term_start = 14 January 2021

| term_end = 24 February 2021

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2021|01|14|2021|02|24}}

| defence_branch = Royal Canadian Navy

| election = Nova Scotia

| alt_officeholder = Julie Payette

| alt_officeholder_sort = Payette, Julie

| cabinet = {{sortname|Justin|Trudeau}}

| ref = {{Cite web|last=Berthiaume|first=Lee|date=2021-01-14|title=Military gets new commander in virtual, low-key ceremony due to COVID-19|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/military-gets-new-commander-in-virtual-low-key-ceremony-due-to-covid-19-1.5267171|access-date=2021-01-15|website=CTVNews|language=en}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 19

| image = Wayne Eyre.jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Wayne Eyre

| officeholder_sort = Eyre, Wayne

| acting =

| born_year = 1966 or 1967

| died_year =

| term_start = 25 February 2021{{efn|Acting from 25 February 2021 until 25 November 2021}}

| term_end = 18 July 2024

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2021|02|25|2024|07|18}}

| defence_branch = Canadian Army

| election = Saskatchewan

| alt_officeholder = Mary Simon{{efn|Appointed in acting capacity by Administrator of Canada Richard Wagner}}

| alt_officeholder_sort = Simon, Mary

| cabinet = {{sortname|Justin|Trudeau}}

| ref = {{Cite news|last=Kirkup|first=Kristy|date=2021-11-25|title=General Wayne Eyre becomes permanent Chief of Defence Staff, Prime Minister's Office announces|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-general-wayne-eyre-becomes-permanent-chief-of-defence-staff-prime/|access-date=2021-11-25}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 20

| image = General Jennie Carignan in 2024 (cropped).jpg

| military_rank = General

| officeholder = Jennie Carignan

| officeholder_sort = Carignan, Jennie

| acting =

| born_year = 1968

| died_year =

| term_start = 18 July 2024

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|2024|07|18}}

| defence_branch = Canadian Army

| election = Quebec

| alt_officeholder = Mary Simon

| alt_officeholder_sort = Simon, Mary

| cabinet = {{sortname|Justin|Trudeau}}

| ref = {{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/new-chief-of-defence-staff-change-in-command-ceremony-1.7266382|title=Gen. Jennie Carignan makes history as Canada's newest chief of the defence staff|last1=Burke|first1=Ashley|last2=Major|first2=Darren|publisher=CBC News|date=18 July 2024|access-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718185257/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/new-chief-of-defence-staff-change-in-command-ceremony-1.7266382|archive-date=18 July 2024|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Officeholder table end}}

• Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
• Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/organizational-structure/chief-defence-staff.html}}
• [https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/organizational-structure/chief-defence-staff/former-chiefs-defence-staff.html Former Chiefs of the Defence Staff]
• [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/n-5/page-6.html National Defence Act]

{{Canadian Forces}}

{{Chief of military by country}}

Category:Canadian Armed Forces

Chief

Chief of the Defence Staff

Canada