Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS; French: Vice-chef d’état-major de la Défense) is the second most senior member of the Canadian Armed Forces, reporting to the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as well as the Deputy Minister of National Defence. The Directorate General Executive Coordination, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group and several other departments report to the VCDS,[2] who is appointed by the CDS.[3]

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Vice-chef d’état-major de la Défense
Badge of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Incumbent
Lieutenant-General Frances J. Allen
since 28 June 2021[1]
Her Majesty's Canadian Armed Forces
TypeCommissioned Officer
StatusCurrently constituted
AbbreviationVCDS
Reports toChief of the Defence Staff
Formation1964
First holderGeoffrey Walsh
DeputyDG Executive Coordination
Chief of Staff VCDS
WebsiteOfficial website

Recent history

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was temporarily relieved as VCDS on January 13, 2017, due to an ongoing investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.[4] As a temporary replacement, Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd was appointed the duties of VCDS on an acting basis, and he was subsequently replaced by Lieutenant-General Alain Parent on May 30, 2017.[5]

On July 16, 2018, Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk was named Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.[6] On July 9, 2019, Wynnyk announced his retirement[7] after he claimed that the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, planned to replace him as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff with Vice-Admiral Mark Norman.[8] Wynnyk then alleged that these plans were reversed when Vice-Admiral Norman settled with the government and retired from the military. Wynnyk was the fifth Vice Chief to serve under Vance.[8]

On July 12, 2019, Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, effective July 18, 2019.[9] On March 16, 2020, it was announced that Lanthier was retiring in the summer, to be replaced by Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau.[10]

In March 2021, it was announced that Rouleau would be succeeded by Lieutenant-General Frances J. Allen, the first woman to hold the position.[11] On June 28, 2021, she formally assumed the role of VCDS in a ceremony at National Defence Headquarters.[1]

Vice Chiefs of the Defence Staff
No. Portrait NameTook officeLeft officeTime in officeHome ProvinceDefence branchAppointed byRef.
1
Geoffrey Walsh
Walsh, GeoffreyLieutenant-General
Geoffrey Walsh
(1909–1999)		196419650–1 years Ontario Canadian ArmyMiller, FrankFrank Miller[12]
2
Robert Moncel
Moncel, RobertLieutenant-General
Robert Moncel
(1917–2007)		196519660–1 years Quebec Canadian ArmyMiller, FrankFrank Miller[13]
3
Frederick Sharp
Sharp, FrederickLieutenant-General
Frederick Sharp
(1915–1992)		196619692–3 years Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Air ForceAllard, JeanJean Allard[14]
4
Michael Dare
Dare, MichaelLieutenant-General
Michael Dare
(1917–1996)		September 196919722–3 years Quebec Canadian ArmySharp, FrederickFrederick Sharp[14]
5
Chester Hull
Hull, ChesterLieutenant-General
Chester Hull
(1919–2012)		197219741–2 years Ontario Royal Canadian Air ForceDextraze, JacquesJacques Dextraze[15]
6
Robert Falls
Falls, RobertVice-Admiral
Robert Falls
(1924–2009)		197419772–3 years Ontario Royal Canadian NavyDextraze, JacquesJacques Dextraze[16]
7
Ramsey Withers
Withers, RamseyLieutenant-General
Ramsey Withers
(1930–2014)		197719802–3 years Ontario Canadian ArmyFalls, RobertRobert Falls[17]
8
Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault
Thériault, Gérard Charles ÉdouardLieutenant-General
Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault
(1932–1998)		198019832–3 years Quebec Royal Canadian Air ForceWithers, RamseyRamsey Withers[18]
9
Daniel Mainguy
Mainguy, DanielVice-Admiral
Daniel Mainguy
(1930–2010)		198319851–2 years British Columbia Royal Canadian NavyThériault, GérardGérard Charles Édouard Thériault[19]
10
Jack Vance
Vance, JackLieutenant-General
Jack Vance
(1933–2013)		198519882–3 years Ontario Canadian ArmyThériault, GérardGérard Charles Édouard Thériault[20]
11
John de Chastelain
Chastelain, JohnLieutenant-General
John de Chastelain
(born 1937)		198819890–1 years Romania Canadian ArmyManson, PaulPaul Manson[21]
12
Charles Thomas
Thomas, CharlesVice-Admiral
Charles Thomas
(born 1936)		198911 May 19911–2 years British Columbia Royal Canadian NavyManson, PaulPaul Manson[22]
13
Fred Sutherland
Sutherland, FredLieutenant-General
Fred Sutherland
(born 1942)		199119920–1 years Nova Scotia Royal Canadian Air ForceChastelain, JohnJohn de Chastelain[23]
14
John Anderson
Anderson, JohnVice-Admiral
John Anderson
(born 1941)		199219930–1 years British Columbia Royal Canadian NavyChastelain, JohnJohn de Chastelain[24]
15
Patrick O'Donnell
O'Donnell, PatrickLieutenant-General
Patrick O'Donnell
(1940–2015)		199319951–2 years Ontario Canadian ArmyAnderson, JohnJohn Anderson[25]
16
Larry Murray
Murray, LarryVice-Admiral
Larry Murray
(born 1947)		199519971–2 years Ontario Royal Canadian NavyChastelain, JohnJohn de Chastelain[26]
17
Gary Garnett
Garnett, GaryVice-Admiral
Gary Garnett		199720013–4 years British Columbia Royal Canadian NavyBaril, MauriceMaurice Baril[27]
18
George Macdonald
Macdonald, GeorgeLieutenant-General
George Macdonald		200120042–3 years. Royal Canadian Air ForceHenault, RayRaymond Henault[28]
19
Ronald Buck
Buck, RonaldVice-Admiral
Ronald Buck		200420061–2 years Quebec Royal Canadian NavyHenault, RayRaymond Henault[29]
20
Walter Natynczyk
Natynczyk, WalterLieutenant-General
Walter Natynczyk
(born 1957)		28 June 200615 June 20081 year, 353 days Manitoba Canadian ArmyHillier, RickRick Hillier[30]
21
Denis Rouleau
Rouleau, DenisVice-Admiral
Denis Rouleau		15 June 200825 July 20102 years, 40 days Quebec Royal Canadian NavyHillier, RickRick Hillier[31]
22
Bruce Donaldson
Donaldson, BruceVice-Admiral
Bruce Donaldson		26 July 201011 September 20133 years, 47 days. Royal Canadian NavyNatynczyk, WalterWalter Natynczyk[32]
23
Guy Thibault
Thibault, GuyLieutenant-General
Guy Thibault		11 September 20135 August 20162 years, 329 days Quebec Canadian ArmyLawson, ThomasThomas Lawson[33]
24
Mark Norman
Norman, MarkVice-Admiral
Mark Norman
(born 1964)		5 August 201613 January 2017161 days Ontario Royal Canadian NavyVance, JonathanJonathan Vance[34]
-
Ron Lloyd
Lloyd, RonVice-Admiral
Ron Lloyd
(born 1963)
Acting		13 January 201730 May 2017137 days. Royal Canadian Navy..
-
Alain Parent
Parent, AlainLieutenant-General
Alain Parent
Acting		30 May 201716 July 20181 year, 47 days. Royal Canadian Air Force..
25
Paul Wynnyk
Wynnyk, PaulLieutenant-General
Paul Wynnyk
(born 1964)		16 July 20189 July 2019358 days Alberta Canadian ArmyVance, JonathanJonathan Vance[6]
26
Jean-Marc Lanthier
Lanthier, Jean-MarcLieutenant-General
Jean-Marc Lanthier		18 July 201915 July 2020363 days. Canadian ArmyVance, JonathanJonathan Vance[35]
27
Michael Rouleau
Rouleau, MichaelLieutenant-General
Michael Rouleau
(born 1967)		15 July 202014 June 2021334 days.Canadian Special Operations Forces CommandVance, JonathanJonathan Vance[36]
28
Frances J. Allen
Allen, FrancesLieutenant-General
Frances J. Allen		28 June 2021Incumbent2 years, 119 days. Royal Canadian Air ForceEyre, WayneWayne Eyre (acting)[37][1]

References
  1. "Lieutenant-General Allen assumes the role of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff". National Defence – Canadian Armed Forces. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  2. "VCDS - Organization". Vcds.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  3. "National Defence Act". Department of Justice. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
  4. "Updated – Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Mark Norman removed from command". Ottawa Citizen. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  5. Defence, Government of Canada, National. "National Defence | Canadian Armed Forces | Article | New A/VCDS to assume position May 30". www.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-06-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "New Commander for the Canadian Army: changes in the Canadian army command". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  7. Change to the senior ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces
  8. "Vice-chief of defence staff resigns, citing plan Mark Norman was to replace him - National | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. July 9, 2019.
  9. "Lanthier to become Vice Chief of the Defence Staff". Canadian Army. July 12, 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  10. "Lt.-Gen. Mike Rouleau named Vice Chief of the Defence Staff". Ottawa Citizen. 16 March 2020.
  11. Brewster, Murray (March 9, 2021). "Canadian military gets its 1st female vice-chief of the defence staff in major shakeup". CBC News. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  12. "Army cadet league" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  13. Robert Moncel Generals.dk
  14. DND Language Reform: Staffing the Bilingualism Programs 1967-1977
  15. 427 Squadron Association
  16. Admiral Robert Hilborn Falls CMM, CD
  17. Ramsey Muir Withers
  18. Gérard-Charles-Édouard Thériault The Canadian Encyclopedia
  19. Vice-Admiral Daniel Nicholas Mainguy, CMM, CD, RCN (Retd)
  20. Lieutenant-General J.E. "Jack" Vance, CMM, CD (Ret'd) Passes Archived October 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Royal Canadian Regiment
  21. General John De Chastelain, OC, CMM, CD, CH, LL.D., BA Army Cadet History
  22. Charles Thomas The Nauticapedia
  23. 8 Wing / CFB Trenton to host leadership seminar The Contact, March 27, 2009
  24. John Rogers Anderson The Nauticapedia
  25. Patrick O'Donnell CFN Consultants
  26. Parliament of Canada Evidence, October 29, 1996
  27. Vice Admiral (Retired) Gary L. Garnett, CMM CD Senate Committee for National Security and Defence
  28. "George E. C. Macdonald" (PDF). Royal Canadian Air Force Association. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  29. "Ron Buck, CMM, CD" (PDF). Navy League of Canada. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  30. "Walter Natynczyk". NATO. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  31. Rear-Admiral Denis Rouleau is Announced as Next Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces
  32. Vice-Admiral Bruce Donaldson Assumes Role as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
  33. Lieutenant-General Guy Thibault assumes role as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Archived October 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  34. Tasker, John Paul (19 January 2016). "Top ranks of Canadian Forces get shake-up with new army, navy commanders". CBC News. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  35. "Lt.-Gen. Lanthier named as new vice chief, more generals promoted". Ottawa Citizen. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  36. "Lt.-Gen. Lanthier named as new vice chief, more generals promoted". Ottawa Citizen. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  37. Brewster, Murray (March 9, 2021). "Canadian military gets its 1st female vice-chief of the defence staff in major shakeup". CBC News. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
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