Department of National Defence (Canada)

The Department of National Defence (Ministère de la Défense nationale), commonly abbreviated as DND, is a Canadian government department responsible for defending Canada's interests and values at home and abroad. National Defence is the largest department of the Government of Canada in terms of budget as well as staff. The Department is headed by the Deputy Minister of National Defence, who is the Department’s senior civil servant, and reports directly to the Minister of National Defence. The Department of National Defence exists to aide the minister in carrying out his responsibilities, and acts as the civilian support system for the Canadian Armed Forces. Under the National Defence Act, the Canadian Forces is completely separate and distinct from the Department of National Defence.

The Department of National Defence is currently headed by Deputy Minister Richard B. Fadden.

History
The Department of National Defence was established by the National Defence Act, which merged the Department of Militia and Defence (which was created in 1906 when the British Army withdrew its forces stationed in Canada), the Department of Naval Services (the department responsible for the administration of the Royal Canadian Navy), and the Air Board (which oversaw aviation in Canada). The National Defence Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada on June 28, 1922.

In 1968, the Department of National Defence oversaw the unification of the Canadian Forces. This act merged the three services (the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force) into a single unified body known as the Canadian Forces. While the services' titles were never formally removed, new titles were brought into official usage. The Royal Canadian Navy was known as Maritime Command, the Army as Force Mobile Command and the Royal Canadian Air Force as Air Command. These actions were taken to achieve cost savings and provide improved command, control, and integration of the military forces.

On 16 August 2011, the traditional titles of the three services were restored (Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force).

Organization


The Department of National Defence is headed by the Deputy Minister of National Defence. Under the Deputy Minister are a variety of associate deputy and assistant deputy ministers who are responsible for various aspects of the department (human resources, policy, etc.). The Deputy Minister is appointed by the Crown (Queen-in-Council) on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Defence Portfolio
The Canadian Forces are a distinct and separate entity from the Department of National Defence. The Minister of National Defence is responsible for the entire Defence Portfolio comprising several organisations, including the Canadian Forces, the Communications Security Establishment, Defence Research and Development Canada, and the Department of National Defence. The Department is not responsible for all of these organisations itself, but rather exists to support the minister in carrying out all of his duties within the Defence Portfolio.