The
Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the second most senior member of the
Canadian Armed Forces (after the
commander-in-chief) and heads the
Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements. The position is held by a senior member of one of the three main branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. The current CDS, since 17 July 2015, is
Jonathan Vance.