Canada's top general seeks senior NATO role amid secret ballot vote

9/21/2026

NATO Military Committee chair race puts Gen. Jennie Carignan in the spotlight Canada backs her bid for the top military post as allies cast a secret vote

Canada's chief of the defence staff, Gen. Jennie Carignan, is running for chair of NATO's Military Committee, with a secretballot vote set for Saturday among defence chiefs from the alliance's 32 member countries. Carignan is facing Germany's Gen. Carsten Breuer for the post, which serves as a key link between NATO's political leadership and its military commanders. If chosen, she would be the first woman to lead the committee and the first Canadian to hold the role in nearly 20 years. Ottawa is backing Carignan's bid as Canada pursues closer cooperation with Europe on political, economic and defence matters. The article notes that former Canadian officers and defence analysts see her as a strong contender, while also pointing to uncertainty over how the U.S. may vote in the closed meeting.