NATO chiefs of defence have elected German Gen. Carsten Breuer as the next chair of the alliance’s military committee, over Canada’s top military commander.
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan ran against Breuer for the top NATO position.
NATO chiefs of defence met in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday to choose the next chair. It’s a prestige posting but it doesn’t carry the same level of clout as the alliance’s most senior role of supreme allied commander, a powerful command position that usually goes to an American.
Only three Canadians have ever served as chair of the military committee, and the last time was during the Afghanistan war in the mid-2000s.
In a social media post, Defence Minister David McGuinty congratulated Breuer on his election.
“Canada was proud to nominate Gen. Jennie Carignan, whose strong candidacy reflected her exceptional leadership, experience and deep commitment to Allied collaboration,” he said.
“We remain firmly committed to NATO and our collective defence, and look forward to continuing to work closely with Gen. Breuer and all of our Allies.”
Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill Saturday, McGuinty said Carignan led a good campaign and that the breakdown of the votes was not known.
“The important thing is that Gen. Carignan will continue to serve with her colleagues,” he said.
If she had won, Carignan would have become the first woman to be named to the position, and also would have to step down as leader of Canada’s military, a role she has held since 2024.
Carignan said in a statement posted to social media Saturday that it was an honour to stand as a candidate and to engage with fellow allied chiefs of defence throughout the process.
“I look forward to continuing that collaboration with all of my allied colleagues” she said. “There is important work ahead for our alliance, and I know General Breuer will bring strong leadership to his new role.”
Carignan said that, going forward, her focus remains on serving as chief of the defence staff and leading the transformation of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The current military chair, Italy’s Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, will leave his post next year.
Dragone said on social media that Breuer’s operational judgement, deep familiarity with the alliance and leadership of the German armed forces would “serve NATO well.”
“The Chiefs of Defence have placed their trust in you at a demanding moment for Euro-Atlantic security,” he said. “You will have the full support of the Committee and of the International Military Staff through the transition, and I look forward to working closely with you until the handover.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2026.
By Kyle Duggan and Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
