NDDN Committee Report

Hon. Peter Kent

Chair

Standing Committee on National Defence

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Kent:

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons, I am pleased to present the official Government Response to the Standing Committee’s Report on “NATO’s Strategic Concept and Canada’s Role in International Defence Cooperation” tabled in the House of Commons on December 2^nd, 2013.

The North Atlantic Alliance continues to be a fundamental pillar of Canadian foreign and defence policy, and as we have demonstrated repeatedly Canada remains firmly committed to supporting the Alliance when needed.  As such, we welcome the Committee’s review of NATO’s 2010 Strategic Concept as a means to highlight and further reinforce our enduring role in NATO, in particular as Allies prepare for a NATO Summit later this year. 

For over 65 years, NATO’s collective defence provisions, embodied in Article V of the Washington Treaty, have contributed to Canada’s security.  As a founding member of the Alliance, Canada forged a strong transatlantic link between North America and Europe.  This close community of Allies share values and interests defended by interoperable military forces to deter and respond to threats across the globe.  As your Committee highlights, NATO is unique in bringing together the political will and military capability necessary to contribute to international peace and security.  As we look forward to the next NATO Summit in September 2014, your report offers useful guidance in ensuring the Alliance remains well positioned today and into the future.

Canada is at the forefront of NATO’s transformation, reform and capabilities agendas, which we see as essential enablers to our vision of NATO as an efficient and effective political and military hub that is equipped and postured to meet current and future security challenges. While the 2010 Strategic Concept reaffirmed the Alliance’s three core tasks - collective defence, crisis management, and cooperative security - it also noted its need to evolve in the face of the changing security environment.  Allies agreed that it was necessary to move forward in tackling emerging security challenges, including threats of a global nature, such as those posed in the cyber domain and by the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

As you note in your report, the Alliance cannot tackle these threats alone. Canada is a strong voice within the Alliance, advocating for the need to retain valuable interoperability gains between Allies and partners, and lessons learned from recent operations in Afghanistan and Libya. To this end, we value the Connected Forces Initiative, which provides us with a useful framework to enhance our readiness and interoperability with key Allies and partners. Building on lessons learned in recent operations, Canada has and will continue to promote meaningful engagement and dialogue with like-minded operational partners, such as Australia and New Zealand, who bring political will and military capability to NATO missions.  More broadly, recognizing the global nature of most complex security crises, we will encourage the Alliance to build bridges with other international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union.

Delivering on this vision will require sustained institutional reform within NATO and Canada is a leader in this regard.  We have long championed initiatives to deliver a more streamlined and efficient organization that will ensure the most effective use of Allies’ defence investments.  At the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago, NATO leaders, including the Prime Minister, agreed on the importance of continuous reform and re-investment to higher priorities to enhance interoperability and operational readiness amongst NATO Allies and partners.  The Committee’s report will inform our ongoing efforts to adapt the Alliance to reflect the evolving operational and fiscal environment.

As you note in your report, Afghanistan and Libya offer only the latest examples of Canada’s long and distinguished record of contributing robust and deployable capabilities to the Alliance.  As a responsible Ally, the Government will maintain its investments in modern combat capable forces as we continue to deliver on the Canada First Defence Strategy. 

Looking towards the Summit in 2014, Canada will remain an active leader within the Alliance, which has proven its value in contributing to Canada’s security interests.  Informed by your report, Canada will drive the Alliance to ensure it remains capable and agile in countering threats to our security.  I would like to thank you and the other Members of the Committee for your report and your continued commitment and service to Canadians. 

Yours sincerely,

Hon. Rob Nicholson PC, MP