Good morning, Mr. Chair.
I am pleased to be able to appear before you alongside my distinguished colleagues to provide you with an update on Canadian Forces activities in support of the security preparations for next year's Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler.
And it is appropriate that my remarks to you today follow those of Mr. Elcock and Assistant Commissioner McDonell, for the role of my organization in providing security for the Winter Games is very much supportive. While the Canadian Forces are ready to play our part in ensuring a safe and secure Games, as you've already heard, primary responsibility for the security of the Games lies with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Safety Canada. The Canadian Forces are providing a number of unique capabilities in support of the RCMP, including air, land, and maritime surveillance of Canada's west coast, operational and exercise planning assistance, and use of Canadian Forces infrastructure and logistics support.
As the Commander of Canada Command, I am responsible for all Canadian Forces domestic operations in North America, except for aerospace warning and control. A critical part of my job is to ensure that when we are asked, the Canadian Forces are able to support a whole-of-government effort to achieve desired effects to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.
In planning for the winter games over the last few years we have solidified and deepened our relationships with our key partners, and this will not only stand us in good stead for delivering a safe and secure event, but as my colleagues have said, it will enhance our ability to support future security events as well. A part of this legacy will be our ability to plan and practise major national special events in a more comprehensive manner than has been the case in the past. It is no exaggeration to say that the progress we've achieved in the governance structure, planning among other government departments and with our U.S. partners, has been moving us all to a more considered and deliberate method of preparing for special security events of all types.
Now, with only about 100 days to go before the Opening ceremonies, the Canadian Forces—along with our key mission partners—have been participating in the final exercises leading up to the Games. Last week saw the successful conclusion of Exercise Pegasus Guardian 3, the confirmatory exercise for the RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit, and Spartan Rings, the Joint Task Force Games exercise lead by Canada Command.
Last week I travelled to Vancouver to observe Spartan Rings and to see firsthand how some of the exercise scenarios unfolded. I also had a close look at how the Joint Task Force Games command structure and headquarters functioned in this simulated environment. I was extremely pleased and have every confidence that the Canadian Forces and Joint Task Force Games are well prepared and positioned for success.
These exercises were functional, full-scale events designed to challenge the ability of security forces to successfully overcome a spectrum of potential threats to the Games. There were a few key areas being validated, including command and control, communications, and tactical procedures. Specific exercise scenarios included marine and air events, criminal protests, and a hostage taking.
Next week we will become fully engaged in Exercise Gold, the final whole-of-government exercise before the games, being held from November 2 to November 6. Exercise Gold, as you know, is to confirm that the whole-of-government security architecture put in place for the games is appropriately prepared. While this is going on, Canada Command will hold Exercise Determined Dragon, which will confirm the readiness of the Canadian Forces at the national level in the provision of support to the security operations for the winter games.
A successful Winter Olympics is all about sport. All the preparations, planning, and exercising in the security domain will result in background conditions within which sport can take centre stage, and Canada can be a proud host to the world.
I will conclude my remarks to you here and I thank you for your attention.
Of course, I am more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.