Change of Command ceremony

General Natynczyk transferred the Canadian Forces ensign to the Governor General, who then presented it to General Lawson.

Canadian Forces personnel and their family members as well as distinguised guests attended the ceremony.

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, also delivered a speech.

His Excellency delivered an address: “Since taking up this role in July 2008, General Natyncyzk has shown extraordinary leadership, vision and humanity. He understands that in addition to leading the Canadian Forces as an institution, the Chief of the Defence Staff is also a leader of people—and in this, he grasps an essential truth of the Canadian military. That is to say, the Canadian Forces is more than an organization. It is in fact a unique family. And, as in any family, role models are vitally important, and great leadership derives from the heart as well as the head.”

The Governor General, General Lawson and General Natynczyk signed the Change of Appointment Certificat.

Following his speech, former Chief of the Defence Staff Standing General Walt Natynczyk received a standing ovation.

Lieutenant-General Tom Lawson was promoted to General during a private ceremony presided over by His Excellency inside the Canadian War Museum.

A 21-gun salute was fired during the royal salute.

Upon his arrival, the Governor General received full military honours and conducted the inspection of a 50-member Canadian Forces guard of honour.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, presided over the ceremony marking the Change of Command of the Chief of the Defence Staff. The ceremony was held at the Canadian War Museum on October 29, 2012.

General Natynczyk paid tribute to his wife Leslie (right) in his speech.