Canada's military command structure is changing, with the formation of a new entity that will hasten response time to terrorist threats and natural disasters across the country.

It's called Canada Command, and it will be led by Vice-Admiral Jean Forcier. It will give the command at the national and regional levels the authority to immediately deploy maritime, land and air forces to support domestic operations.

"This is a major step that will see the Canadian Forces transform to become more relevant, responsive and effective," Defence Minister Bill Graham said in a statement.

"[It will] allow us to react more quickly and more effectively to events across Canada, including the North."
The plan is the brainchild of the chief of defence staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, who said Tuesday that Canadians are at a far greater risk now than they ever were during the Cold War.

"This is the right time with the leadership, vision and funding in place to kick-start the process. The effect we are after is irreversible momentum, and we have that," Hillier said in a statement.

Canada Command will be headquartered in Ottawa. Forcier, a Trois Riviere native who has more than 33 years of service in the military, will oversee six regional headquarters - Northern, Pacific, Prairie, Central, East, and Atlantic.

Hillier told reporters that regional commanders will be able to deploy land, sea and air resources when and where they are needed without going through the military's existing "complex matrix" of commanders.

The first phase of Canada Command will begin July 1, and will involve planning and implementation. The new entity is expected to take over command of domestic operations as early as spring 2006.

However, Graham explained that this transformation will not happen overnight. "It's a long-term and continuous process," he said.