Program directory · National Defence
Operations in Canada
- Department
- National Defence
- Program code
- BUN01 (ND)
- Core responsibility
- Operations
- In Departmental Plans
- 2018-19 – 2026-27 · New since an earlier plan
What it does
The Operations in Canada program involves detecting, deterring and defending against threats to or attacks on Canada and assisting civil authorities, law enforcement agencies and non-governmental partners in responding to domestic emergencies including terrorism. This program also includes conducting search and rescue operations.
Source: the department's Program Inventory, via GC InfoBase.
History and lineage
First appears in GC InfoBase's actual spending by program in 2018-19. The data does not record when a program was created; it may be older than its first appearance here, which is limited by the sources (program spending starts in 2010-11, Departmental Plans in 2018-19).
| Program | Relation | Years with data | Actual spending over those years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations in Canada | This program | 2018-19 – 2028-29 | $183M |
No earlier or later program in the same department has a similar name.
Significant changes in scope and budget
Detected from the data: renames between plans, programs it appears to replace, merge with or split into (matched by name), year-over-year changes in spending of at least 25% and $5M, or in employees of at least 20% and 25 FTEs, linked budget measures, and results indicators added or dropped.
| Year | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Employees (FTEs) 0, against 643 in 2018-19 (−100%). | FTEs (GC InfoBase) |
| 2019-20 | Spending $9.4M, against $131M in 2018-19 (−93%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2020-21 | Spending $3.9M, against $9.4M in 2019-20 (−58%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2022-23 | Indicators added: % of force elements that are deployed within established timelines; % of requests for Canadian Armed Forces aeronautical search and rescue assistance that are fulfilled; % of requests for domestic assistance that are fulfilled; % of stated objectives met by Arctic operations and exercises; % of stated objectives met by domestic operations; Extent to which the Canadian Armed Forces is effective in domestic operations; % of Canadian Armed Forces aeronautical search and rescue operations that meet established standards; % of coordinated maritime, aeronautical and joint response to search and rescue incidents deemed effective | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2023-24 | Indicators added: % of Operational Effects Achieved by Operations in Canada | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2023-24 | Indicators dropped: % of Operational Effects Achieved | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2024-25 | Spending $16.6M, against $7M in 2023-24 (+136%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2025-26 | Planned spending $7.3M, against $16.6M in 2024-25 (−56%). | Latest Departmental Plan |
| 2026-27 | Indicators added: % of Search and Rescue (SAR) Missions in which SAR aircrafts arrive at the incident location after initial tasking within the minimum established timelines; % of Search and Rescue (SAR) missions where CAF primary SAR assets achieved their response posture within established timelines; % of Search and Rescue Missions in which SAR aircrafts arrive at the incident location after initial tasking within maximum established timelines | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2026-27 | Indicators dropped: % of Canadian Armed Forces aeronautical search and rescue operations that meet established standards; % of coordinated maritime, aeronautical and joint response to search and rescue incidents deemed effective | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2026-27 | Planned spending $18M, against $7.3M in 2025-26 (+145%). | Latest Departmental Plan |
Success criteria
The program's indicators from its department's Departmental Results Framework: the target set in each year's plan, and the result reported the following year. Source: GC InfoBase.
Historical: targets against results
% of force elements that are deployed within established timelines
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 100% | Met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 100% | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 100% | 2025 | 100% | Met |
% of Operational Effects Achieved by Operations in Canada
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 90% – 100% | 2024 | 100% | Met |
| 2024-25 | 90% – 100% | 2025 | 97% | Met |
% of requests for Canadian Armed Forces aeronautical search and rescue assistance that are fulfilled
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 99% The 9 454 cases generated 547 SAR taskings for the CAF air assets, which 542 were activated; therefore 99 percent of taskings. The instances where CAF was unable to fulfil their SAR taskings were due to inclement weather, unclear jurisdiction, and crew unavailability. In the other cases, Joint Rescue Coordination Centres utilized assets of opportunity, including civilian aircraft and vessels that… | Not met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 99% In FY 2023–24, there were 8,234 Search and Rescue (SAR) incidents, with 1,718 cases classified as either 1 (Distress) or 2 (Imminent Distress). This represented a 13% decrease in overall incidents and a 3.5% decrease in classifications 1 and 2 compared to the previous fiscal year. All SAR cases managed by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre were effectively handled and either brought to a conclu… | Not met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 100% | 2025 | 99% The target was not met due to a number of potential factors including inclement weather, crew limitations, and aircraft hours remaining to maintenance action. Out of 8,059 cases, 572 Search and Rescue (SAR) taskings were generated for CAF air assets, with 567 activated, resulting in a 99% rate. In unfulfilled taskings, Joint Rescue Coordination Centres used nearby assets, including civilian aircr… | Not met |
% of requests for domestic assistance that are fulfilled
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 100% | Met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 100% | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 90% | 2025 | 100% | Met |
% of stated objectives met by Arctic operations and exercises
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 95% CJOC on behalf of the CAF conducts several operations that contribute to the security of Canada; Operations LENTUS, LIMPID, NANOOK, NEVUS, BOXTOP. All operations achieved their stated objectives as written in their respective operational orders (OPORDs). The score has been adjusted by 5% to account for planning and execution frictions that cannot be captured in assessment plan and associated repo… | Not met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 100% | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 100% | 2025 | 100% | Met |
% of stated objectives met by domestic operations
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 95% The target was not 100% met due to impacts linked to C4ISR and related interoperability issues. | Not met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 100% | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 100% | 2025 | 100% | Met |
Extent to which the Canadian Armed Forces is effective in domestic operations
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | The Canadian Armed Forces is effective in the conduct of domestic operations | 2023 | Green. CJOC on behalf of the CAF is satisfying 100% of the Public Safety Canada submitted Requests for Assistance (RFA). The CAF provided support to civilian organizations in response to a range of crises, including: natural disasters and COVID-19 response. All operations were handled effectively. Capability enhancement initiatives, such as the All Domain Situational Awareness Science and Technology Pro… | No result reported |
| 2023-24 | The Canadian Armed Forces is effective in the conduct of domestic operations | 2024 | Target achieved On behalf of the CAF, CJOC fulfilled 100% of the Requests for Assistance (RFA) submitted by Public Safety Canada. The CAF provided effective support to Canadian civilian organizations in response to various crises, with FY23/24 experiencing an above-average number of RFAs for natural disasters such as fires and floods. Although the CAF was prepared and ready to assist civil authorities, a common… | Met |
| 2024-25 | The Canadian Armed Forces is effective in the conduct of domestic operations | 2025 | Target Achieved | Met |
% of Canadian Armed Forces aeronautical search and rescue operations that meet established standards
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 91% Of the 542 times tasked and activated, the CAF met their response timeline in 492 cases; therefore, 91 percent of the time. There are many circumstances that determine how a tasked SAR unit responds and therefore whether the response time can be met. Aircraft mechanical issues, inclement weather and time to load additional fuel for long, extended missions are the main causes of delays. SAR missio… | Not met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 95% The CAF demonstrated a high level of effectiveness in meeting their response timelines for SAR missions, achieving 95% success rate out of 575 tasked and activated cases, with 546 cases meeting their response timeline. While the CAF performed admirably, various factors can impact response times, including aircraft mechanical issues, the need for additional fuel for extended missions, and adverse… | Not met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 100% | 2025 | 93% The target was not met due to delays caused by a number of potential factors including, aircraft issues, refueling required for long or extended missions, and inclement weather. Of 567 CAF Search and Rescue (SAR) activations, 528 met the response timeline, achieving a 93% rate. SAR mission coordinators used all available resources to ensure responses to SAR incidents were effectively conducted, c… | Not met |
% of coordinated maritime, aeronautical and joint response to search and rescue incidents deemed effective
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 100% | 2023 | 100% | Met |
| 2023-24 | ≥ 100% | 2024 | 100% | Met |
| 2024-25 | ≥ 100% | 2025 | 100% | Met |
% of Operational Effects Achieved
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 100% | 2019 | 90% DND/CAF continue to progress projects to address surveillance and communications capability deficiencies and combined exercises with other government department partners and liaison officers to mitigate communications interoperability challenges. | Not met |
| 2019-20 | 90% – 100% | 2020 | 95% | Met |
| 2020-21 | 90% – 100% | 2021 | 95% DND/CAF continued to progress projects to address surveillance and communications capability deficiencies and combined exercises with other government department partners and liaison officers to mitigate communications interoperability challenges. | Met |
| 2021-22 | 90% – 100% | 2022 | 95% All Operations in Canada achieved their stated objectives as written in their respective operational orders. Furthermore, all requests for assistance that were issued to the CAF by the Ministry of Public Safety were resourced, and executed. The score has been adjusted by 5% to account for planning and execution frictions that cannot be captured in assessment plan and associated reports. | Met |
| 2022-23 | 90% – 100% | 2023 | 95% | Met |
Current: the 2026-27 plan's targets
% of force elements that are deployed within established timelines
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of Operational Effects Achieved by Operations in Canada
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 90% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of requests for Canadian Armed Forces aeronautical search and rescue assistance that are fulfilled
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of requests for domestic assistance that are fulfilled
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of Search and Rescue (SAR) Missions in which SAR aircrafts arrive at the incident location after initial tasking within the minimum established timelines
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 90% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of Search and Rescue (SAR) missions where CAF primary SAR assets achieved their response posture within established timelines
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of Search and Rescue Missions in which SAR aircrafts arrive at the incident location after initial tasking within maximum established timelines
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of stated objectives met by Arctic operations and exercises
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
% of stated objectives met by domestic operations
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 100% | 2027 | — | Planned |
Extent to which the Canadian Armed Forces is effective in domestic operations
Expected result: Operations in Canada are effective
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | The Canadian Armed Forces is effective in the conduct of domestic operations | 2027 | — | Planned |
Future goals: targets due after 2026-27
No targets with a later due date.
Spending and employees: planned against actual
Spending
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | $74.4M | $131M |
| 2019-20 | $136M | $9.4M |
| 2020-21 | $75.7M | $3.9M |
| 2021-22 | $8M | $5.4M |
| 2022-23 | $4.8M | $9.4M |
| 2023-24 | $5.9M | $7M |
| 2024-25 | $10.6M | $16.6M |
| 2025-26 | $7.3M | — |
| 2026-27 | $18M | — |
| 2027-28 | $18.1M* | — |
| 2028-29 | $18.5M* | — |
Employees (FTEs)
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 25 | 643 |
| 2019-20 | 619 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | 0 | 15 |
| 2025-26 | 13 | — |
| 2026-27 | 13 | — |
| 2027-28 | 13* | — |
| 2028-29 | 13* | — |
Planned spending, plan by plan
Each row is one year's Departmental Plan and its forecast for the next three fiscal years; read a column down to see how the forecast for one year changed. The last row is what was actually spent. Click an amount for its source. Biggest changes in federal spending plans
| Plan | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 plan | $74,445,480 | $75,014,892 | $75,995,437 | ||||||||
| 2019-20 plan | $135,902,647 | $138,942,464 | $143,406,585 | ||||||||
| 2020-21 plan | $75,723,329 | $76,513,544 | $79,493,026 | ||||||||
| 2021-22 plan | $8,039,759 | $8,184,494 | $8,387,431 | ||||||||
| 2022-23 plan | $4,847,516 | $4,819,255 | $4,857,731 | ||||||||
| 2023-24 plan | $5,883,345 | $5,866,156 | $5,885,198 | ||||||||
| 2024-25 plan | $10,616,952 | $10,747,678 | $10,929,651 | ||||||||
| 2025-26 plan | $7,320,608 | $7,239,188 | $7,322,149 | ||||||||
| 2026-27 plan | $17,950,128 | $18,130,566 | $18,490,976 | ||||||||
| Actual | $130,861,641 | $9,414,905 | $3,927,046 | $5,422,834 | $9,413,077 | $7,044,140 | $16,630,176 |
Actual spending is from Departmental Results Reports and the Public Accounts, as published in GC InfoBase. FTEs are full-time equivalents.
