The Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDAI) started off its’ two day conference at the Chateau Laurier Hotel today. The CDAI is a “… research organization … whose mandate is to provide research support to the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) and promote informed public debate on national security and defence issues.”. That mandate is personified in the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence held annually in Ottawa whose speakers include members from the defence community worldwide.
Todays’ speakers were Ferry de Kerkhove who spoke to the Vimy Paper 27: Strategic Outlook for Canada 2016 and was then followed by the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan. Ending the morning keynote speakers today was the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs, the Honourable Kent Hehr who re-iterated the government’s commitment to veterans.
Of particular note was the awarding of the Ross Munro Media Award to Ms. Christina MacLean which is awarded to a Canadian journalist who has made an outstanding contribution to the general public’s understanding of Canadian security and defence issues. Ms. MacLean is the Editor-in-Chief of Frontline magazine.
I wasn’t able to stay for the panel discussions, which if anything like last year, are well worth sitting in on but it is a full day of strategic thinking. Friday will see General Vance, CDS of Canadian Armed Forces Gen Middendorp, Chief of Defence for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and General Gratien Maire, Major Général des Armées (France) deliver their perspectives of the world stage.
The pictures are generally podium shots from different angles, but if you’re interested, CLICK HERE.
