National Defence Act
Encyclopedia
The National Defence Act (NDA) (French
: Loi sur la défense nationale; LDN) is the primary enabling legislation for organizing and funding Canada
's military.
Passed in 1922, it created the Department of National Defence
by merging the Department of Militia and Defence with the Department of the Naval Service and the newly created Department of Aviation.
On 4 November 1966, Bill C-243, "The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act," was introduced to amend the National Defence Act. The aim of the bill was to reorganize the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, previously separate and independent services, under one umbrella. Following debate in the House of Commons and further examination by the Defence Committee, the Bill was given third and final reading in April 1967, clearing the way for unification.
The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act came into effect on 1 February 1968, creating one organization responsible for the defence of Canada, the Canadian Forces, and amending the National Defence Act.
The Queen's Regulations and Orders are enabled by the National Defence Act to govern the Canadian Forces.
The National Defence Act establishes Non-Public Property (NPP) as a special class of Crown property to be used for the benefit of serving and former members of the Canadian Forces and their families. Most western nations have created similar regimes to support the morale and welfare needs of their militaries. On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)
, the Director General Personnel and Family Support Services (DGPFSS) acts as the Managing Director for Non-Public Property and establishes the policies and provides functional oversight for the many NPP programs and activities delivered locally at Bases and Messes. Personnel and Family Support Services (PFSS)
is responsible for administering NPP as well as for delivering selected public Morale and Welfare programs, services, and activities on behalf of the Chief of Military Personnel (CMP). The workforce delivering Non-Public Property programs and activities primarily consists of the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces and members of the Canadian Forces. The Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces is a Separate Agency listed under Schedule 5 of the Financial Administration Act.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Loi sur la défense nationale; LDN) is the primary enabling legislation for organizing and funding Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's military.
Passed in 1922, it created the Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
by merging the Department of Militia and Defence with the Department of the Naval Service and the newly created Department of Aviation.
On 4 November 1966, Bill C-243, "The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act," was introduced to amend the National Defence Act. The aim of the bill was to reorganize the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, previously separate and independent services, under one umbrella. Following debate in the House of Commons and further examination by the Defence Committee, the Bill was given third and final reading in April 1967, clearing the way for unification.
The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act came into effect on 1 February 1968, creating one organization responsible for the defence of Canada, the Canadian Forces, and amending the National Defence Act.
The Queen's Regulations and Orders are enabled by the National Defence Act to govern the Canadian Forces.
The National Defence Act establishes Non-Public Property (NPP) as a special class of Crown property to be used for the benefit of serving and former members of the Canadian Forces and their families. Most western nations have created similar regimes to support the morale and welfare needs of their militaries. On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
, the Director General Personnel and Family Support Services (DGPFSS) acts as the Managing Director for Non-Public Property and establishes the policies and provides functional oversight for the many NPP programs and activities delivered locally at Bases and Messes. Personnel and Family Support Services (PFSS)
Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
The Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services , previously known as Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency , is responsible for administering non-public property on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff and delivering selected public morale and welfare...
is responsible for administering NPP as well as for delivering selected public Morale and Welfare programs, services, and activities on behalf of the Chief of Military Personnel (CMP). The workforce delivering Non-Public Property programs and activities primarily consists of the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces and members of the Canadian Forces. The Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces is a Separate Agency listed under Schedule 5 of the Financial Administration Act.
Previous military acts replaced by the National Defence Act
- Naval Service Act, 1910
- Militia Act of 1868
- Militia Act of 1883
- Militia Act of 1904