Top military commander Gen. Carignan nominated for senior advisory role in NATO

OTTAWA — The federal government is nominating Gen. Jennie Carignan, the head of Canada’s military, as a candidate for a top role in NATO.

Defence Minister David McGuinty announced Wednesday her candidacy for chair of the NATO Military Committee, the main military adviser to NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

An election is set for September to find a successor for outgoing chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone of Italy, whose term ends next summer.

Carignan would have to step down as chief of the defence staff before taking on the new position.

Canada’s former ambassador to NATO Kerry Buck said that if Carignan’s bid is successful, she would become the first woman to chair the committee.

Buck said that while it would be good for Canada if Carignan got the job, she would not be representing Canada in the role and would act as a neutral party in the alliance.

“It would be fantastic if she got the job. But there’s going to be a lot of stiff competition,” Buck said.

“Even so, the fact that we’re putting forward is a pretty important signal to the council.”

No Canadian has held this position since 2008. The senior role is highly coveted and elections are hard-fought contests featuring intense lobbying.

Germany nominated its Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Carsten Breuer for the same position earlier this year.

Rutte’s four-year term ends in 2028 but it could be renewed for another term.

Carignan has served as chief of the defence staff since summer 2024, when she replaced retired Gen. Wayne Eyre at the helm of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Carignan will continue to lead the Canadian military while the selection process for the NATO role takes place.

Chiefs of the defence staff do not hold fixed terms but they tend to stay in the position for about three years.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2026.