Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

VCDS Crest On behalf of the Deputy Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff the mission of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff is to coordinate, and when appropriate, direct the activity necessary to ensure departmental Defence policy and strategic objectives are achieved.

In accomplishing this mission, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff will provide pro-active leadership and direction to the evolution of National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) to a strategic level headquarters and ensure the realization of the Defence Programme objectives.

Sites in Focus

April 29, 2009 - The long-awaited Canadian Military Doctrine (CFJP 01), the Canadian Forces (CF) capstone doctrine publication, was promulgated by the Vice Chief of Defence Staff earlier this week. This manual specifies the roles and missions assigned to the CF; provides the fundamentals of warfare and guidance for command, control, and organization of the CF; describes authorized command relationships and the authorities that military commanders can use; and formulates guidelines for operational activities embodied in CF strategic policy.


The aim of the Safety Digest is to provide a forum for the promotion of General Safety Programs and other accident prevention initiatives and to motivate all personnel to achieve and maintain a safe work and home environment. Appearing twelve times annually, the publication has a large readership both in and out of DND.