The Canadian Army implemented a new mission-based structure on September 10, 2026, reactivating 1st Canadian Division as a deployable manoeuvre division designed to generate combat power for major operations and strengthen Canada’s ability to contribute to collective defence.

In this episode of the Expert Series, LGen (Ret’d) the Honourable Andrew Leslie, former Chief of the Land Staff and former Member of Parliament, discusses the rationale behind the Canadian Army’s restructuring and its implications for operational readiness and force generation.

He examines the shift away from contribution warfare toward division-level combat capability, the integration of regular force brigades and combat support elements, critical equipment and procurement gaps, lessons from the war in Ukraine, recruitment challenges, and the importance of accelerating defence investment to ensure Canada can defend its sovereignty and serve as a capable partner to NATO allies.

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The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: https://cdainstitute.ca/

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

The CDA Institute is a non-partisan think tank that conducts research and education programming on defence and security.

Learn more: CDA Institute