Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Vice-chef d’état-major de la Défense
Badge of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Incumbent
Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey
since 1 August 2024[1]
His Majesty's Canadian Armed Forces
TypeCommissioned Officer
StatusCurrently constituted
AbbreviationVCDS
Reports toChief of the Defence Staff
Formation1964
First holderGeoffrey Walsh
DeputyDG Executive Coordination
Chief of Staff VCDS
WebsiteOfficial website

The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS; French: Vice-chef d’état-major de la Défense) is the second most senior member of the Canadian Armed Forces, reporting to the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as well as the Deputy Minister of National Defence. The Directorate General Executive Coordination, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group and several other departments report to the VCDS,[2] who is appointed by the CDS.[3]

  1. ^ "Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey assumes the role of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff". Government of Canada. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  2. ^ "VCDS - Organization". Vcds.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  3. ^ "National Defence Act". Department of Justice. Retrieved 2012-05-08.