SCHOOL THESIS

2. Department of National Defence
a. Canada First Defence Strategy (2013)
This strategy sets a detailed road-map for the modernization of the Canadian
military forces. Under “Defending North America,” the strategy states, “Given our
common defence and security requirements, it is in Canada’s strategic interest to remain a
reliable partner in the defence of the continent. Canadian Forces will continue to
collaborate with the U.S. counterparts as partners in NORAD…NORAD is also evolving
to meet future threats…Finally, the two nation’s armed forces will pursue their effective
collaboration on operations in North America and abroad.” (Emphasis added.) 104
b. Canadian Forces Cyber Operations Primer (2014)
The purpose of this Primer is to describe Cyber Operations from a Canadian
Armed Forces (CAF) perspective, and outlines the operational functions in the Cyber
environment, those being Command, Sense, Act, Shield, and Sustain. Under the
“Sustain” function, the Primer states, “Sustaining the Force requires the CAF to engage
in a wide range of multi-national political/military alliances and arrangements (i.e., Five-
Eyes, NATO, NORAD.)” (Emphasis added.) 105
E. SUMMARY
Over the course of 50 years, NORAD has repeatedly reassessed, redefined, and
updated its core operational missions based upon a constantly evolving threat. The
NORAD Agreement clearly reflects both Nation’s desire that NORAD be able to adapt
and defend against newly evolving military threats which each nation may jointly face:
104 Canadian Department of National Defence, “Canada First Defence Strategy, accessed 15 Jan 2015,
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about/canada-first-defence-strategy.page.
105 Canadian Department of National Defence, “Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Operations Primer,”
Feb 2014, 6.
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