25 September 2009 - Members of the NATO PA Defence and Security Committee visited Canada

This visit of the NATO PA’s Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and Security Co-operation aimed to better understand Canadian operational commitments, ongoing developments in the defence sector, and the force generation of its military.  The Delegation also sought Canadian views on issues of increasing importance to NATO, including cyber security and the High North.

The Canadians notably pointed out that the country has made major contributions to the international engagement in Afghanistan since 2002, particularly in Kandahar Province, but this effort has strained its military capabilities through an extremely high operational burden in very challenging conditions.  Although a Parliamentary motion calling for the withdrawal of Canadian combat forces in 2011 has been agreed to, no political decision on the shape of any remaining Canadian military presence in Afghanistan after that date has been made, even if it is widely assumed that a strong civilian contribution will remain.

The meetings were held in Ottawa with senior government and military officials, and the delegation also had the opportunity to visit several important Canadian defence facilities, including the Royal Military College, which included a lively discussion with senior cadets; the Land Force Doctrine and Training System’s Peace Support Training Centre; 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, where the Delegation inspected aircraft including a CC-130 Hercules, CC-150 Polaris and CC-177 Globemaster;   and Land Force Central Area/Joint Task Force Central Headquarters. 

For further information, please see full report of the visit