Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada's Defence Policy

Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy

Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), is based on a long-term vision and features the flexibility to respond to a changing world. The Department of National Defence (DND) remains committed to the significant and strategic long-term investments that will ensure the Canadian Armed Forces continues to function as an agile, and combat-ready force, capable of making tangible contributions and delivering on its commitments at home and around the world. We remain committed to our people and their families, in providing them with the support and tools they need to be successful at every stage of their career. We remain committed to investing in procurement, in military bases and wings across the country, and in the Canadian economy. The value that DND generates through defence spending, including through Industrial and Technological Benefits, means good jobs and economic growth for Canada. We are committed to maximizing this impact with the assurance and the confidence that we have seen so far in SSE implementation.

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Canada’s vision for Defence

Canada’s vision will provide Canada with an agile, multi-purpose combat-ready military, operated by highly trained, well-equipped women and men, secure in the knowledge that they have the full support of their government and their fellow Canadians.

Initiatives:

Well-supported, diverse, resilient people and families

The success of Canada’s defence depends on our people. Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are devoted to serving their country, and we are equally committed to our duty to improve the assistance, services, and care we provide them and their families. Military members will be supported from when they join, throughout their careers, and at the crucial time of transition when members retire and/or require assistance as veterans.

Initiatives:

  • Military Family Resource Centre Funding
  • Suicide Prevention Strategy
Investments to enhance capability and capacity

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) must be ready and able to deliver across a spectrum of operations – from domestic humanitarian assistance and disaster response to counter-terrorism and peace support operations, to high intensity combat operations. To achieve this, the CAF requires targeted and strategic investment in capabilities and equipment that can be used on domestic and international military operations.

Initiatives:

  • Integrating Australian Jets into the Current Royal Canadian Air Force Fighter Fleet
Defence innovation

We will identify needs and compete for the best ideas to take advantage of the most creative concepts and unique approaches that academics, universities, and the private sector can generate. These changes will increase collaboration with academia and other experts to strengthen the foundation of evidenced-based policy-making, and will accelerate National Defence's access to innovation, ensuring that Canada keeps pace with the rapid evolution of technology.

Initiatives:

Modernizing the business of Defence

Canada’s Defence Policy will mark real progress toward streamlining defence procurement, improving the timely acquisition of much needed military capabilities, and increasing economic benefits and creating jobs for Canadians. It will also encourage modernized management of lands and buildings, support infrastructure renewal, and help meet greening targets for government.

Initiatives:

Stable, predictable, realistic funding

The new Defence funding model improves the financial transparency of the defence budget, clarifying how funds are managed and spent; and it enables long-term investments, ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces is well-equipped and well-supported.

Initiatives:

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