National Defence Committee on Oct. 21st, 2025

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I'm glad we're doing that on recruitment, but we also know from our AG's report that the data systems, the information collection, is very siloed among services, and a lot of it is still “pen to paper” to get things entered. It seems to me rather cumbersome, especially in light of today's technology and systems that are out there and the ability to use things like quantum computing and AI to generate better outcomes. If you really start drilling down, there's still a lot of work to do to fix this.

When you look at the recruitment uptick that we had, a lot of it had to do with changing the recruitment process. Security clearances are given during basic training or after. We have seen the ending of the aptitude test. Has that affected the quality of the recruits?

[Gen. Jennie Carignan]

In terms of your first question on digitization, the efforts are currently ongoing. We are going with a phased approach. Last year we had the first version of various parts of the process being digitized. We are again this year increasing that digitization. I fully agree that paper copies and all of that are not an optimal way of doing this, so we are not only revising our business processes, but also digitizing our processes. That is ongoing and should help to better manage the recruits showing up at our door.

On your second question on aptitude tests, in fact what we noticed is that we doubled the number of candidates who came back to continue their application in the forces; it removed a barrier. However, we are maintaining standards and quality via other means, which means that we have scorecards for the recruits from interviews, marks they have in school, references and so on. All of this is compiled, and the aptitude test is conducted later on. But, no, we are not compromising at all the quality of Canadians showing up and offering their service to Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you, General.

I know we're exceeding time.

Mr. Malette, I can give you one question, and that will be it. Then we'll wrap up.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I appreciate it.

My question is for ADM Kim.

I've noted with growing interest issues surrounding our Arctic security. In the past few meetings we've been discussing NORAD modernization, obviously with the evolving geopolitical circumstances. The base at Alert station, on Ellesmere Island, is an eight-wing unit extension from Trenton, in my riding.

With the increased interest from foreign actors in the Arctic, how is the CAF strengthening our presence and surveillance capabilities in Canada's north, given our more focused interest in that region?

[Natasha Kim]

I can start, but the chief may want to weigh in on this as well.

I would start with domain awareness and detection and really expanding our presence in the Arctic. That includes things like infrastructure. We have been looking at where we are across the Arctic, but also where we need to be. Things you would have heard of include northern operational support hubs, but also how we're investing in infrastructure in our forward operating locations for NORAD, and how we are able to project out; and the Coast Guard is certainly going to be an important part of that.

The minister mentioned some of the projects we have under way, such as over-the-horizon radar. There's an Arctic version of that, where we bounce off the ionosphere to see what's going on up north. There's a polar version of that, where we're located in the north. There are communications and satellite capabilities in the north that we are pursuing as well. A lot of this is really about how we get that full picture through investments, infrastructure and being there.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Does that then mean an expansion of the operations at Alert, which would in turn mean a ramping up of more of the ancillary and support services out of 8 Wing?

[Natasha Kim]

I may turn that question over to the chief.

[Gen. Jennie Carignan]

There are different ways to project power in the Arctic. It's a combination of a permanent presence.... We need to be very clear. We have a permanent presence in the Arctic and it's done via various means. It is done with various sensors and with our bases that are currently in the Arctic. It is also done with expanded northern Arctic operations that we have launched. NANOOK is our signature operation that we are conducting 10 or 11 months of the year throughout the region. Now with the Coast Guard we'll definitely be planning our activities together, but we have already—for many years—collaborated with our different capabilities.

We also need to know that there are 5,500 rangers in 205 communities. The ADM spoke about the northern operational support hubs, forward operating locations, extension of airfields, building of additional infrastructure to be able to house our forces as they project themselves forward in the north, and the acquisition of submarines that are under-ice capable. There are various ways that we are covering our approaches but also to be in a position to defend.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you very much for your responses and participation today. Investment in the Canadian Armed Forces is a great priority to enhance. The work you're doing to help transform enables us to be better protected in regard to not only our sovereignty, but also our economy. Some of the engagements that we're doing relative to that are monumental and it's certainly very concerning for all of us.

Before I adjourn, however, I do have a few items to discuss very quickly, if I may.

The deputy commissioners of the Coast Guard are no longer available to appear on Thursday, October 23, on the committee's study of the integration of the Coast Guard into the Department of National Defence. We're working to confirm a new meeting date, and the clerk has suggested Tuesday, October 28, for an hour, as a potential date to Defence. This has not yet been confirmed.

However, on Thursday, October 23, given that the deputy commissioners of the Coast Guard are no longer available, it's our intention to do committee business for an hour, from 8:15 to 9:15, and then the secretary of state will appear from 9:15 to 10:15. I've asked the clerk to circulate to members, tomorrow morning, a proposed agenda for committee business on that day.

Bill C-11 has also been referred to the committee, and I would like to suggest that members start thinking about witnesses they wish to invite for the study. I can also confirm that the Minister of National Defence is available on Thursday, October 30, to appear on Bill C-11.

I've asked the clerk to circulate the list of witnesses who have confirmed and have not confirmed, so that we then can gauge more effectively how we're going to proceed going forward, as a result of the fact that the deputy commissioners are not available this coming Thursday.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

I have a question, Mr. Chairman.

On Thursday, we do not have witnesses, is that correct?

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

On Thursday, we have witnesses in the second hour.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

The reason I was asking is Chief Xavier had mentioned to me that, at some point, she would like to have the committee visit the CSE. I thought we were going to have two hours available and that we wouldn't require a Chinook or anything to get there—we could probably take the bus or walk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

No, we do have a second hour of witnesses in the meeting.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Save that thought, because it would be valuable for the committee to see that.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

With that, the meeting is adjourned.