Chief of the Defence Staff announces first 2022 Canadian Armed Forces General and Flag Officer senior promotions and appointments

General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, has announced the first Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) General and Flag Officer senior appointments and promotions for 2022. The CAF’s requirement for General and Flag Officers is driven by the need to lead defence priorities at the institutional level, create and sustain a diverse and inclusive culture, and project leadership abroad.

·       Lieutenant-General J.J.M.J. Paul will be appointed Commander Canadian Army, in Ottawa.

·       Major-General S.R. Kelsey will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, in Naples Italy, replacing Lieutenant-General J.J.M.J. Paul.

·       Major-General E.J. Kenny will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in Ottawa, replacing Lieutenant-General A.D. Meinzinger, who will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces.

·       Rear-Admiral A.I. Topshee will be promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral and appointed Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, in Ottawa, replacing Vice-Admiral C.A. Baines, who will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces.

The CAF’s promotion-selection process is evolving to select from among the best leaders who demonstrate strength of character and professional excellence.

All promotion candidates completed evidence-based character assessments in order to be considered eligible for promotion. A multi-rater (e.g. 360 degree) assessment was used as a confirmatory tool for candidates under active consideration for promotion. The group of evaluators for the multi-rater assessments were selected from as diverse a group as possible in order to obtain a holistic perspective of the candidate’s leadership behaviours and effectiveness. In addition to a number of due diligence verifications, each promotion candidate also underwent an interview by a third party, external to Department of National Defence and CAF, which focused on personal experiences, self awareness, past challenges, failures, and successes.

More information regarding this promotion selection process can be found here.

Further promotions, appointments, and retirements will be announced once they’ve been confirmed.