Chapter News

The chapter kicked off its first Professional Development Luncheon for the 2025/26 season. Lt. Col. Tom McMullen, G6 of the Canadian Army Headquarters, shared his considerations for the digital battlefield, as they relate to mission command. He emphasized the need for trust between leaders and subordinates due to the likelihood of unexpected situations. Furthermore, that technology has no agency; it's how we use it and include the human factor to understand each situation.

The chapter had the privilege of welcoming back Maj. Gen. Dave Yarker, head of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, as their guest speaker during an executive breakfast. Although the Cyber Command is still in its early stages-just eight months since its establishment-progress has already been made, both domestically and on deployed operations.

Yarker provided valuable insights into the planning, coordination and integration in the focus areas of defensive and offensive cyber operations, signals intelligence and joint electronic warfare.

While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, he expressed a strong sense of optimism about the path forward, highlighting that a broadly secure Canada remains well within reach.

During the May luncheon, attendees heard Philippe Hebert, director general of the Defence Research and Development Canada Innovation Team, remark on some of the successful outcomes of the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. The intent of the program is to connect creative thinkers and innovative solutions with those who have identified specific defence and security challenges within the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces.

The IDEaS program will be investing $1.6 billion in innovations for defence and security over the next 20 years.

To date, an astonishing 9,000 innovators have been added to the ecosystem. With future contests and competitive project challenges scheduled in the coming months, subscribing to their mailing list is recommended. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas/subscribe.html

It was an early start for many as they heard encouraging words from Ross Ermel, assistant deputy minister for Digital Services and defence chief digital officer, Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces. He reiterated that "fast execution requires a fast strategy" to contribute to the outcomes of the amalgamated digital services group. Of the 30-plus projects under his purview, such as Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar, DEFENCEx and a federated identity project (working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense), he noted how these were examples where "success breeds more success." Before moving to Q&A, he reviewed the edge-to-enterprise approach being implemented and how it is supported by the group's vision to connect, enable and transform with an ultimate mission to foster a trusted ecosystem.

In April, Maj. Gen. Chris Zimmer, Digital Services Group (DSG), walked attendees through how the DSG intends to break down stovepipes and shift paradigms of the existing 170-plus networks and more than 3,000 apps to create a DSG for tomorrow.

During the chapter's luncheon, the chief digital transformation/defence chief data officer described his role as being as difficult as "solving world hunger." Zimmer discussed the seven priorities for the group, including the strategy on data, artificial intelligence and cloud. He also highlighted the need to be a global member and credible partner within the Five Eyes to help with the journey.

In February, at the Leitrim All Ranks Mess, attendees were taken through the responsibilities of 3 Canadian Space Division by Brig. Gen. Christopher Horner, commander. Horner provided insights into the relationship with the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as national and international partners. "Cooperation, Coordination and Integration" are the keys to operational flexibility and the ability to move fast in the four mission areas. The luncheon sponsor was Oracle.

Col. Yannick Michaud, commander of the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre (CJWC), spoke about the vision and mission of the centre. He emphasized the people and tools that make up the "realm of possible," regarding the operational effects across the full spectrum of conflict. It is not only a centre of excellence to educate joint forces. Attendees also heard how the CJWC is using modeling and simulations to minimize risk and how they conduct "specialized" wargames. The luncheon was hosted at the KPMG office downtown and was sponsored by Black 8 Consulting.

Col. Corey Crosby, chief, Joint Cyber Centre at the Department of National Defence, provided a briefing on the recently established Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM) during the December luncheon. Col Crosby walked attendees through the CAFCYBERCOM priorities, which are spread across domestic, expeditionary and partners, ensuring cyber operations and cyber mission assurance. Attendees also gained valuable insights into the organizational structure and role of each group involved, including the partnership with the Canadian Security Establishment.

Sophie Martel, assistant deputy minister and chief technology officer for Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces, spoke during the November chapter luncheon. Martel's message, "Think big, start small and iterate," included reviewing seven priorities and how their success relies on fostering a trusted digital ecosystem between the defense, government, international and technology teams.

The chapter held a three-day event sponsored by Microsoft Canada and covering the Canadian Security Assessment and Authorization (SA&A) cloud certification process. The event addressed topics such as SA&A Foundations, How Hyperscale Changes the Context, Leveraging International Certifications and SA&A Certifications Specifically for Hyperscale Cloud. The chapter rounded off the three-day event with a practitioner's panel of government of Canada chief information security officers and senior advisors.

Patrick Finn, assistant deputy minister, Department of National Defence spoke at the chapter's Christmas luncheon. During his thirty-five year career in the Canadian Armed Forces, Finn developed expertise in leadership and management in the domain of materiel readiness for operations, and in complex project management. After serving in various ships and submarines, Finn worked in various acquisitions and modernization projects for the Royal Canadian Navy and subsequently provided oversight for projects in all branches of Canada's military.

Scott Jones, assistant deputy minister, Information Technology (IT) Security, spoke at the executive breakfast in December. The IT Security program is responsible for providing cryptographic solutions that protect the most sensitive information of the government of Canada, providing security advice and guidance on the next generation of technology, building relationships with industry to increase security and actively defending against malicious cyber activity.

The Honorable David Pratt spoke to members at the luncheon in November. His topic was "Defense Policy Review Update and Defense and Security Procurement Update."

Andre Fillion, chief of staff, Department of National Defence (DND), was the guest speaker at the chapter's October luncheon. He gave a high level overview of the sustainment initiative and how this strategic change initiative involving DND, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is aimed at maximizing system performance, value for money, flexibility and economic benefits for military equipment. He also provided an overview of the implementation strategy and current status.

At the chapter's luncheon in May, Dr. Pierre Lavoie, presented on the All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) science and technology program, "Positioning science and technology to be ready to provide advice on enhanced domain awareness of air, surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada."

In April, the chapter hosted an executive breakfast held at the Rideau Club Ottawa with guest speaker Maurice Chenier, vice president and CIO at CBSA. The breakfast was sponsored by Maplesoft.

In March, the chapter hosted an executive breakfast held at the Rideau Club Ottawa with guest speaker John Messina, chief information officer, Government of Canada. The breakfast was sponsored by Maplesoft.

At the chapter's luncheon in March, David Perry, senior analyst and a fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, gave an outline of the current status of major military procurement and the process to get them into force.

The chapter welcomed guest speaker Brig. Gen. Paul Rutherford at the February luncheon. He gave an overview of current and upcoming directions for the Director General Information Management Operations and their role within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The chapter's October professional development luncheon featured guest speaker Lt. Col. Nick Torrington-Smith, commanding officer, Department of National Defence. The colonel presented "An Introduction to the Canadian Forces Electronic Warfare Centre."

The chapter held a professional development lunch in September on the topic "Enabling Cybersecurity Resiliency and Agility at the Ottawa Police Service." The guest speaker was Daniel Steeves, chief information officer at the Ottawa Police Service.

In June, the chapter's Executive Breakfast featured guest speaker John A. Glowacki Jr., chief operating officer, Shared Services Canada. The chapter thanks breakfast sponsor Trend Micro.