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CDA Advocacy Strategy Survey
Information gathered through this survey will inform the Conference of Defence Associations' advocacy strategy for 2026–2027.
SAMPLE INFORMATION
1.
What is your current status with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)?
Active service member
Reserve member
Retired / Veteran
Civilian Employee / Contractor
Other
2.
If applicable, what is the highest rank you have attained?
General / Flag Officers
Colonel / Captain(N)
Lieutenant-Colonel / Commander
Major / Lieutenant-Commander
Captain / Lieutenant(N)
Lieutenant / Sub-Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant / Acting Sub-Lieutenant
Officer Cadet / Naval Cadet
Chief Warrant Officer / Chief Petty Officer 1st class
Master Warrant Officer / Chief Petty Officer 2nd class
Warrant Officer / Petty Officer 1st class
Sergeant / Petty Officer 2nd class
Other
3.
Which element do/did you serve in?
Royal Canadian Navy
Canadian Army
Royal Canadian Air Force
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
4.
Age Range:
Under 30
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+
5.
Years of CAF affiliation (service, employment, or association):
Less than 5 years
5-14 years
15-24 years
25-34 years
35+ years
READINESS PRIORITIES
6.
How would you rate the current overall readiness of the CAF?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Very Poor
7.
What do you believe are the top three factors currently affecting CAF readiness? (Select up to 3)
Personnel recruitment
Personnel Retention
Equipment age
Capability gaps
Insufficient defence funding
Infrastructure condition
Political direction / policy clarity
Public support
Other
8.
Which mission area should be top priority for the CAF?
Defence of Canada
Defence of North American defence including NORAD
NATO and other multilateral partners
International peace operations and stabilization missions with the United Nations
Capacity building to support the security of other nations and their ability to contribute to security abroad
Assistance to civil authorities and law enforcement in support of national security
Assistance to civil authorities and non-governmental partners in response to disasters or major emergencies
Other
CAPABILITY AND INVESTMENT PRIORITIES
9.
Which capability areas require urgent investment? (Select all that apply)
Tactical helicopters
Worldwide satellite communications
Enhancing Canada’s intelligence and cyber operations
Long-range precision strike
Maritime sensors
Arctic and northern land mobility
Basing and infrastructure
Northern operational hubs
Airborne early warning aircraft
Integrated air and missile defence of Canada and North America
Other (please specify)
10.
If you had to identify ONE critical capability gap requiring immediate attention, what would it be?
11.
Which equipment/platform priorities matter most to Canada’s defence posture? (Select up to 3)
Integrated air and missile defence capabilities
Next generation fighter aircraft
Submarines
Surface combatants
Airborne early warning aircraft
Long-range precision fires
Battle tank replacement
Arctic mobilization
Northern infrastructure and Arctic basing
Other
12.
Which service member welfare issues should be prioritized? (Select all that apply)
Mental health support and PTSD care
Housing affordability and availability
Career development and transition support
Family support services
Healthcare access and wait times
Compensation and benefits
Veteran’s services
Other
13.
What specific advocacy actions do you think CDA should prioritize? (choose up to 2)
Lobbying for increased defence spending
Public awareness campaigns
Engagement with parliamentarians
Media outreach on CAF challenges
Supporting veterans’ causes
Collaboration with other defence organizations
Other
14.
What is the single most important issue CDA should advocate for on behalf of our association?
15.
How would you rate current public awareness of the CAF?
Very high
High
Moderate
Low
Very low
Don’t know
16.
How would you rate current public support for the CAF?
Very high
High
Moderate
Low
Very low
Don’t know
17.
Additional comments or suggestions: