The Defence Portfolio

The Defence Portfolio comprises the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces and a number of related organizations, all of which are the collective responsibility of the Minister of National Defence.

Together, the diverse elements of the Defence Portfolio provide the core services and capabilities required to defend Canada and Canadian interests, and form an important constituency within the broader Canadian national security community.

THE OFFICE OF THE LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE AND THE CANADIAN FORCES (DND/CF LA) provides legal services to the Department of National Defence (DND) and to the Canadian Forces (CF) in all areas of the law, except those related to military law, military discipline and the military justice system for which the Judge Advocate General (JAG) is responsible.

NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE SECRETARIAT:
The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) acts as a liaison for Search and Rescue (SAR) agencies and all partners involved in Canadian search and rescue. Their combined efforts give Canada one of the most effective national search and rescue programs in the world. The Minister of National Defence is the Lead Minister for Search and Rescue.

DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CANADA (DRDC):
Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC) is an agency operating within the Department of National Defence. DRDC provides science and technology services to the Department and the Forces. It conducts Research and Development (R&D) activities to contribute to the success of Canadian military operations and performs ongoing technology assessment to enhance Canadian Forces preparedness. Many of the cutting-edge products (i.e artificial blood substitute and the first anti-gravity flying suit) developed by DRDC generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in export sales for Canada.

COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT (CSE):
The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is a cryptologic agencythat collects foreign intelligence that can be used by the government for strategic warning, policy formulation, decision-making and day-to-day assessment of foreign capabilities and intentions. It produces intelligence reports based on electronic emissions and advises the government in the area of security for its telecommunications and automated information systems.

CADETS AND JUNIOR CANADIAN RANGERS:
Cadets Canada is the largest federally sponsored youth program in Canada (almost 60,000 young Canadian take part in the program). It is a national program for young Canadians ages 12 to 18 who are interested in participating in a variety of challenging and rewarding activities, and learning more about the Canadian Forces.

The Junior Canadian Rangers program is the only organized youth program available in many remote and isolated Canadian communities.

CANADIAN FORCES HOUSING AGENCY (CFHA):
The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) is responsible for allocating housing to Canadian Forces members and their families, carrying out maintenance and repairs, administering the rent system and managing the housing assets on behalf of the Department of National Defence.

JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL (JAG):
The Judge Advocate General (JAG) acts as the legal advisor to the Governor General, the Minister of National Defence, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. JAG is also responsible for the superintendence of the administration of military justice in the Canadian Forces.

MILITARY POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMISSION (MPCC):
The Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) is responsible for examining any complaints arising from either the conduct of military police members in the exercise of policing duties or functions or from interference in or obstruction of their police investigation.

CANADIAN FORCES GRIEVANCE BOARD (CFGB):
The Canadian Forces Grievance Board (CFGB) is an impartial, independent body responsible for reviewing the grievances submitted to it military members and communicating its conclusions and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MILITARY JUDGE:
The Office of the Chief Military Judge provides military judges to preside at courts martial, administers the convening of courts martial, and provides court reporting services and transcription of the proceedings of courts martial and other judicial hearings.

THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENCE AND CANADIAN FORCES OMBUDSMAN:
The Ombudsman acts on behalf of the Minister of National Defence, independent of the chain of command, as a neutral sounding board, mediator and reporter on matters related to the Department and the Canadian Forces.

CANADIAN FORCES PERSONNEL SUPPORT AGENCY (CFPSA):
The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) develops and delivers personnel support programs and services to improve the quality of life in the military community.