Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) and Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) underwent a change of command yesterday as MGen Paul Wynnyk assumed the dual roles from retiring MGen Christian Rousseau.
The ceremony was held at the Cartier Drill Hall and was attended by Richard Fadden, Deputy Minister of National Defence
Wynnyk, until yesterday the deputy commander of the Canadian Army, has over 30 years of experience, including as both the operations officer and chief of staff of Land Force Western Area. He has also held positions at National Defence Headquarters that include senior defence advisor and director of operations for the Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister.
In addition to fulling CFINTCOM’s mandate to provide credible, reliable and sustained intelligence services, the CDI is also the chief intelligence advisor to the senior leadership and has functional authority over the other nine departmental organizations that deliver on the defence intelligence mandate, giving him a critical role in coordinating all defence intelligence activities.
“MGen Rousseau has greatly advanced the Defence Intelligence function during his time as Commander of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command. He solidified international partnerships, contributed to international security, stood up the Intelligence Command and institutionalized Federated Production, in itself a significant landmark for Canadian Defence Intelligence,” said General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff. “MGen Wynnyk is a knowledgeable, experienced and outstanding leader who serves the Canadian Armed Forces with distinction. I am confident in his ability to build on what has already been accomplished and continue carrying CFINTCOM forward to face the challenges that the future will bring.”