Question Period Note: International Operations

Why are Canadian Armed Forces members returning home, creating opportunities for instability when there is still work to be done abroad?

• We are taking the necessary measures to protect the health and wellbeing of our military members and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• These measures include repositioning some personnel and assets back to Canada, while maintaining critical operational activities overseas.
• We are taking these actions – consistent with Allies and partners – to preserve our ability to conduct operations at home and abroad.
• Canada’s commitment to its international operations remains strong and personnel levels will be readjusted when conditions are right.

Responsible Principals: Canadian Joint Operations Command, Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)

QUICK FACTS

• Op REASSURANCE: Canada is maintaining its presence in Latvia, as part of our leadership of the NATO Battle Group. HMCS FREDERICTON remains deployed to the Mediterranean and will soon begin transiting to the Baltic Sea.
• Op IMPACT: Approximately 400 personnel returned to Canada, leaving approximately 100 personnel in Iraq as part of the Global Coalition and NATO Mission Iraq. Personnel are on high readiness waiting to redeploy to Iraq when conditions permit. To allow for crew training and aircraft maintenance during the operational pause, 6 Griffon helicopters were temporarily repositioned to Canada.
• Op UNIFIER: Approximately 60 personnel have relieved the previous rotation of 200 personnel in Ukraine. The remaining 140 personnel are in Canada are on high readiness to deploy and resume training in Ukraine when conditions permit.
• Op PROJECTION: HMCS GLACE BAY and HMCS SHAWINIGAN have returned to Halifax early from West Africa. The deployment of HMCS CALGARY to the Asia-Pacific has been deferred. The next ship is currently scheduled to deploy to the Indo-Asia-Pacific later this summer.
• Op CARIBBE: HMCS NANAIMO and HMCS WHITEHORSE have returned to Esquimalt early from the Eastern Pacific, and Caribbean. HMCS MONCTON is currently scheduled to deploy later this summer.
• Op NEON: The scheduled deployment of aircraft, and HMCS CALGARY to North East Asia in spring 2020 has been cancelled. The next ship and a CP-140 aircraft are currently scheduled to deploy in the latter half of 2020.
• Op PRESENCE: The scheduled deployment of Hercules aircraft conducting tactical airlift out of Entebbe, Uganda from June-July 2020 is currently being reviewed.