Canadian Armed Forces change-of-command ceremony – July 18, 2024

In a ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, command of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is transferred from General Wayne Eyre, the outgoing chief of the defence staff, to Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, who is also promoted to general during the event. Governor General Mary Simon, Canada’s commander-in-chief, presides over the ceremony. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair are among those giving remarks.

General Carignan speaks with reporters following the ceremony, discussing her thoughts about being the first woman to lead the CAF and the state of Canada's military. Minister Blair then takes questions from the media about Carignan's appointment and the feasibility of Canada reaching the NATO defence spending target of two per cent of GDP by 2032.

0:00 Introduction
12:52 General Wayne Eyre
36:19 Passing of the CAF ensign and signing of change of command certificates
40:13 Governor General Mary Simon
47:27 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
57:24 Defence Minister Bill Blair
1:07:59 General Jennie Carignan
1:27:40 General Jennie Carignan speaks with reporters
1:56:00 Defence Minister Bill Blair speaks with reporters