Vice-Admiral (Retired) Bruce Donaldson, CMM, CD, served as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) from July 2010 until September 2013 upon his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). As VCDS, and second in command of the CAF, Bruce was directly involved in managing the entire activity portfolio of the defence enterprise and worked at the highest levels across the Government of Canada with respect to major procurement, personnel and financial management issues. He led the development and execution of the $20B+ Defence Services Programme, as well as long range strategic and capability planning for the CAF. Central to the planning and implementation of several phases of defence renewal and transformation, Bruce worked closely with other senior leaders in the Department of National Defence (DND) and the CAF. He also directed and oversaw the security and policing functions in DND and the CAF.
Prior to his appointment as VCDS, Admiral Donaldson served as Commander Canada Command, commanding the CAF’s domestic and continental operations including the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and the G8/G20 summits. Prior to that, he spent 18 months as Director of the Strategic Joint Staff - the operations manager for the CAF - and two years as Commander, Canadian Pacific Fleet. His earlier command appointments include the frigate HMCS VANCOUVER, Sea Training Staff Pacific, and the destroyer HMCS ATHABASKAN, flagship for the Canadian Atlantic Fleet.
Bruce Donaldson holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Economics from Carleton University in Ottawa, and a Masters Degree in International Relations and Maritime Strategic Studies from Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff and National Security Studies Courses at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, as well as the Canada School of the Public Service's Advanced Leadership Programme.
Vice-Admiral (Retired) Bruce Donaldson joined CFN Consultants in September 2014. Located in Victoria, British Columbia, he directly supports CFN clients on the west coast, while providing advice and expertise in strategic defence issues to the larger CFN client portfolio.
Contact Bruce Donaldson - Associate Consultant
