OTTAWA – Canada’s military will formally get a new boss today.
Lt.-Gen. Thomas Lawson will be installed as Chief of Defence Staff, replacing the outgoing General Walt Natynczyk.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be among the dignitaries speaking at today’s change of command ceremony.
Lawson is a former fighter pilot with more than 30 years in the air force and a strong proponent of buying the controversial F-35 stealth jets.
He was named as the new top soldier in August by Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
The government considers Lawson a good communicator.
In 2010, he went on a cross-country public relations tour to explain why the military needs the F-35s.
The changing of the guard comes as the Canadian Forces deals with budget cuts coupled with plans to buy new, expensive equipment, including ships for the navy.
