National Defence committee  Right. There has been one news report on a change to the SAR posture in Atlantic Canada. The idea of the report was correct, but the substance of the report was totally wrong. We have 40 hours of 30-minute response time in the Maritimes, as we speak. After we get into this new trial starting on the May long weekend, we will still have 40 hours of 30-minute response time.

National Defence committee  A very strong bilateral relationship exists between Canada and the United States, between two navies with a long history of service and fighting together, with the background of NORAD and the permanent joint border defence behind them as the substance of the relationship. My fleet and the fleet on the west coast have joined forces with the U.S. fleet forces, so I'm going to speak about my coast.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir.

National Defence committee  Sir, the size of the Canadian navy is established by governments, and it's a major policy decision above me. We provide them with guidance to determine what the optimal size is. I would say this from my experience, sir: It isn't just about the navy. It is about the joint forces that work in the maritime domain: the beautiful, modern Cyclone helicopter; the enhanced and upgraded Block III Aurora fleet; the large fleet of the Canadian Coast Guard, which operates in the maritime domain with us in the Arctic; the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' science and policing fleet; the coastal vessels of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the aircraft of Environment Canada; the aircraft of Transport Canada; and the surveillance aircraft of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

National Defence committee  I think the greatest threat is just knowing what is happening in Canada's ocean areas of interest. Our ocean areas of interest are not defined by territorial seas or economic exclusion zones or even the enlarged shelf, it is the sea lanes that approach from everywhere around the world.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir, and why I paused at the beginning was just to put my.... You asked for the highest priority threat to me, which is the shipping plot.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir, exactly, and I'm saying just to monitor the intent of foreign government ships, which often have military nexus to their activities. The naval menace on the seas clearly is foreign submarine fleets, should those countries that own them become adversarial to Canada's national interests.

National Defence committee  That's actually the most enjoyable part of my job, participating in an enterprise called the marine security operations centre. This is a day-to-day capability euphemistically termed the MSOC. It is headquartered in my headquarters building. It is very close to the search and rescue centre, and it's just feet away from my joint operations centre from which I command military operations.

National Defence committee  Aye aye, sir. Canada's naval forces on the Atlantic coast consist of the fleet, a diving unit, a ship repair unit, a logistics supply system, an intelligence and information fusion centre, and a naval headquarters. My focus is always on preserving and increasing the operational readiness of these forces, ensuring excellence in operations and preserving the fine reputation of the Royal Canadian Navy as second to none in our circle of allies.

National Defence committee  Yes, sir. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, everyone. It's truly an honour to be here today to describe Canada's naval forces in the Atlantic and their contribution to the defence of North America. I will also comment on the role of the marine security operations centre and provide some thoughts on search and rescue.