Very fortunate to visit the Passchendaele Museum, the Canadian memorial at St Julien, and the Essex Farm Cemetery where LCol John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields”. Then a visit to Ypres and the Menin Gate for the remembrance ceremony that has taken place daily since 1928.

Spent the day at NATO Headquarters where we had the opportunity to hear from senior diplomats and the Canadian Military Representative on the role of Canada in the Alliance as well as NATO defence policy and planning.

Today we visited the Canadian Embassy in Brussels and engaged with Ambassador Nicholas Brousseau. We then had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament (European Parliament) and engaged with MEP Pekka Toveri (Pekka Toveri).

The NSP students had a great couple days in Vienna. We had the opportunity to engage with several United Nations organizations, the Austrian National Defence Academy as well as the OSCE.

For NSP’s first day in Washington, we had multiple engagements at the Canadian Embassy where we discussed several issues ranging from diplomacy, Arctic defence and security, congressional liaison, and procurement. The day was capped off with a great view from the embassy roof.

The final day in DC included a morning visit of Arlington National Cemetery Cemetery where we observed the changing of the guard and received a behind the scenes look at the guard operations. In the afternoon we continued with engagements across town discussing Canada’s role in US policy.

The Canadian Forces College Mess held an “Aloha TGIT” last night which included traditional Hawaiian food, music, and games for students, staff, and their families.

I haven’t posted in a while, not because we haven’t been busy on the National Security Programme, as we’ve been nose-down in our laptops working on our deliverables. We have started a new phase using systems design mapping tools to tackle complex national security problems.

The National Security Programme was very lucky to spend a few hours with former CDS, Gen Wayne Eyre yesterday. He provided valuable advice based on the lessons and tools he acquired over an impressive 40-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces. Nice to see you again Sir!

For over a century, the strength of the RCAF has been its people—those who fly, fix, support, and lead. From pilots to technicians, musicians to logisticians, aircrew to administrators, every member plays a vital role in keeping Canada’s Air Force ready, strong, and agile.

Depuis plus d’un siècle, ce qui fait la force de l’ARC, c’est son monde — celui qui vole, répare, soutient et dirige.

The National Security Programme visited the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (McMichael Canadian Art Collection) today as part of our “Arctic Week”. It was interesting to learn about the history of Inuit art and we also got to view numerous pieces from the Group of Seven.

Today we celebrate 67 years of #NORAD 🇨🇦🇺🇸 Since 1958, the Americans and Canadians from the North American Aerospace Defense Command have trained, operated, and led together as one team with the single purpose of defending the homelands. To mark this milestone, 🇺🇸General

The National Security Programme was lucky to spend a morning with former CDS, Gen Tom Lawson as part of the course’s Strategic Power week. The students are engaging with senior leaders with an emphasis on working through interdepartmental response to international crises.

I completed my Royal Canadian Air Force Run today on a beautiful June morning in Toronto. The medals ceremony was quick. It’s the first race I’ve won, but I also finished in last place! Only three weeks remaining on the National Security Programme, looking forward to the next step.

With a week left until the National Security Programme graduation, last night I went to my first Blue Jays game since 1987. It was a great night for baseball, particularly with 1$ hotdogs and a big win for the Jays.

With the National Security Programme winding down, and graduation only a few days away, it’s time to start to say our goodbyes. Today I was very happy to exchange gifts with my amigo Dario from 🇲🇽.

Félicitations, diplômés du PCEMI/PSN! Pendant 10 mois, vous avez affiné votre intellect/leadership tout en forgeant des liens pour la défense/sécurité du Canada & des Canadiens de par le monde. En cette ère de transformation, vous êtes les bons leaders, au bon moment. Bravo Zulu!

Congratulations graduates of JCSP & NSP! Over the past 10 months, you’ve sharpened your intellect & leadership & forged bonds for the defence & security of Canada & Canadians around the world. In an era of transformation - you are the right leaders, at the right time. Bravo Zulu!

Earlier this week, the National Security Programme came to an end after 10 months of reading, papers, and driving back and forth to Toronto. Looking forward to a few weeks of leave and then getting back to work at NDHQ. #SchoolsOut4Summer