LGen Jean-Marc Lanthier assumes VCDS responsibilities

Today, General Jonathan Vance presided over a change of appointment ceremony at National Defence Headquarters in which Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier assumed the responsibilities of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS), as Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk retires after over 38 years of service to Canada. 

Second in command of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the VCDS is responsible for an array of functions ensuring that National Defence policy and strategic objectives are achieved. Accountable to both the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Deputy Minister of National Defence, the VCDS also governs National Defence headquarters and its related activities. 

Lieutenant-General Lanthier is a highly capable and experienced leader whose more than 30 years of military service includes six international deployments and two domestic operations. In addition to his operational experience, he has served within the VCDS organization as the Chief of Programme where he was responsible for leading corporate strategies, analysis on planning and resource allocations in support of executing the defence mission. Lieutenant-General Lanthier becomes VCDS after commanding the Canadian Army since July 2018.

Lieutenant-General Wynnyk’s retirement concludes a career that has spanned almost four decades in uniform, having joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist in 1981. He has served his country with honour and distinction over his long and distinguished career in the CAF, which included command appointments that most recently included Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, the Canadian Army, and the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

The change of appointment ceremony took place at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, before an assembly of military and civilian members of the Defence Team, and their families. Speaking at the ceremony, General Vance thanked Wynnyk "for his tireless dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces for over 38 years and the leadership he demonstrated as our Vice Chief of the Defence Staff during a challenging period."

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence added his appreciation to the outgoing VCDS, saying LGen Wynnyk "has left an indelible mark on those who have served alongside him, whether in Afghanistan or here at home."