Connecting with Parliamentarians

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Forces (CF) has developed a parliamentary outreach program that recognizes Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators as a distinctive stakeholder group.

Providing this group with a comprehensive knowledge of DND and CF roles, responsibilities and mandate, enables Canada’s legislators to make informed decisions regarding DND and CF issues. Feedback from participants is positive.

The parliamentary outreach program has three main components:

  • The Canadian Forces Parliamentary Program (CFPP);
  • Briefings for MPs and Senators; and
  • Familiarization visits to DND and CF installations and operations at home and abroad.

Canadian Forces Parliamentary Program (CFPP)

The CFPP allows MPs and Senators to spend up to five days embedded with their choice of the Navy, Army or Air Force, most often during major exercises. Conducted throughout the summer months, this program adapts to the individual availability of MPs and Senators. A key aspect of the CFPP is that Senators and MPs experience the “real” CF; not as VIPs but as ordinary Canadians through hands-on experience. For further information, please see the 2010 CFPP brochure:

(Parliamentary Brochure - English.pdf) (PDF - 929 Kb) (Note: If the following document is not accessible to you, please contact Emilie Rancourt (at the bottom of this page) for assistance.)

Briefings for MPs and Senators

DND and the CF arranges for briefings and seminars on Parliament Hill, including: arising and priority files, information sessions (Defence 101) and breakfast speaker series. Topics can range from defence procurement issues, to domestic and international operations, to the Canada First Defence Strategy.

Familiarization Visits

Familiarization visits consists of trips to DND and CF installations and operations in Canada and abroad. Where possible, parliamentary familiarization visits are scheduled when the House of Commons and the Senate are not in session, for maximum participation.

Emilie Rancourt
National Defence Headquarters
Tel.: 613-996-9236
E-mail: emilie.rancourt@forces.gc.ca