Event Date: October 14, 2026 - 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Location: FSS 4007, 120 University Private, University of Ottawa

Presented by CIPS and the Security Studies Network (SSN)

Join General Wayne Eyre, former Chief of the Defence Staff and commander of the Canadian Armed Forces, for a special conversation celebrating the launch of his new memoir, Into the Breach: A Soldier’s Journey. Drawing on four decades of military service, Eyre reflects on leadership, national security, and the challenges facing Canada in an increasingly unstable world.

From Afghanistan and Ukraine to Arctic sovereignty and Canada’s evolving role on the global stage, Into the Breach offers a rare insider’s perspective on the decisions, crises, and responsibilities that shape our nation’s future. Following the discussion, General Eyre will sign copies of the book.

Speaker:

Wayne Eyre retired in 2024 as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff. As the commander of the Canadian Armed Forces and military advisor to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, he led Canada’s military through an unprecedented confluence of international and domestic crises and rapidly evolving security stressors. In his 40-year military career, he has commanded at all levels, from an infantry rifle platoon to Commander of the Canadian Army.He led numerous domestic operations in Canada, and overseas he served in Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, Afghanistan (twice), and South Korea, where he was the most senior Canadian officer ever stationed in the Asia Pacific region.His institutional experience includes working in force development and as Deputy Commander of Military Personnel Command. A graduate of the US Army War College and US Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, he holds a BSc and three master’s degrees.

Moderator:

Thomas Juneau is a Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and co-editor of two books on Canada’s defence policy.