Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The chief of the Defence Staff (CDS; French: chef d'état-major de la Défense; CEMD) is the professional head of the Canadian Armed Forces. As the senior military position, the chief of the Defence Staff advises the Cabinet, particularly the minister of national defence and the prime minister. The role is a Crown-in-Council appointment made by the viceroy on the advice of the prime minister.
| Chief of the Defence Staff | |
|---|---|
| Chef d'état-major de la Défense | |
Badge of the Canadian Forces | |
Incumbent General Wayne Eyre since 25 November 2021 | |
| Canadian Armed Forces | |
| Type | Chief of defence |
| Abbreviation | CDS |
| Member of | Armed Forces Council |
| Reports to | Commander-in-Chief via the Minister of National Defence |
| Appointer | King of Canada or the Governor General of Canada on the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada |
| Term length | At His Majesty's Pleasure |
| Constituting instrument | National Defence Act |
| Precursor | Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee |
| Formation | 1964 |
| First holder | Frank Robert Miller |
| Deputy | Vice Chief of the Defence Staff |
| Website | Official website |
Lieutenant-General Wayne D. Eyre was designated as the acting chief of the Defence Staff on 24 February 2021, following Admiral Art McDonald taking a voluntary paid leave pending an investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. On 13 August 2021, Eyre was promoted to general and was appointed to the position on a permanent basis on 25 November 2021.