The second leg of the Transatlantic Field Study took Senior Course (SC) 118 to Canada on 5 – 8 May. Course Members (CMs) enjoyed the very informative briefings they received in the Drawing Room of the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel in Ottawa.
The Faculty, Staff and SC118 were warmly welcomed by Vice-Admiral Bruce DONALDSON, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS). He gave an introduction to the briefings and stressed that Canada’s geography influences all its policies.
Mr Donald SINCLAIR, Director General International Security of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade briefed the Senior Course on “Canada in the International Security”. He outlined the priorities of the previous Government and the threats and challenges facing Canada.
Mr Donald SINCLAIR was followed by Mr Michael GRANT, Directorate General International Security Policy, who spoke of the Canadian Defense Policy. He highlighted the priorities in Canada’s international defence policy. He also provided an insight into Canada’s objectives for NATO e.g. NATO’s reform and transformation, partnerships, etc.
The next speaker, Col Peter WILLIAMS, Director of Current Operations in the Strategic Joint Staff (SJS), explained the command structure of the Canadian Forces (CF) and a detailed overview of their domestic and international operations.
Dr. Michael MARGOLIAN, Director General Policy Planning, delivered a briefing on “Defence Strategy, Arctic and Cyber”. He commented on the Canadian Defence Strategy document of 2008, describing the roadmap and the Government objectives for the defence forces for the next 20 years. He also discussed the increased activities in the Arctic, which can only be tackled in cooperation with all involved Departments. In the area of cyber, a national cyber strategy document was developed and a cyber Task Force was established in the Armed Forces.
The final briefing was presented by Inspector Kevin MILLER, officer in charge of Operations in the International Peace Operations Branch (IPOB) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He explained the role and the tasks of the IPOB in the deployment of police officers to missions. He also provided an overview of the programmes since 1989 and of the current deployments. Furthermore, he gave an insight in the content of the “Canadian Police Arrangement” allowing the deployment of Canadian police abroad.
All briefings were followed by a Q&A, characterised by the openness and honesty of the speakers in their answers.
During the lunch hosted by Vice-Admiral Bruce DONALDSON, the VCDS offered the CMs the possibility to ask further questions. This was very much appreciated by SC 118. This concluded a very successful stay in Ottawa.
More about the Field Study:
First stop – NATO HQ, Brussels
Second leg – Belgian Defense Staff and to Supreme Allied Headquarters Europe (SHAPE)
NATO Defense College