The Chief of the Defence Staff is the senior member of the Canadian Forces and reports directly to the Minister of National Defence. It has been the highest ranking position in the Canadian military since the merger of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force in 1964. The current CDS is Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier.

Past Chiefs of the Defence Staff

• Air Chief Marshal F.R. Miller 1964 - 1966
• General J.V. Allard 1966 - 1969
• General F.R. Sharp 1969 - 1972
• General J.A. Dextraze 1972 - 1977
• General Robert H. Falls 1977 - 1980
• Air General R.M. Withers 1980 - 1983
• General G.C.E. Thériault 1983 - 1986
• General P.D. Manson 1986 - 1989
• General John de Chastelain 1989 - 1993
• Admiral John Anderson 1993
• General John de Chastelain 1994 - 1995
• General Jean Boyle 1995 - 1996
• Vice-Admiral Larry Murray 1996 - 1997
• General Maurice Baril 1997 - 2001
• General Raymond Henault 2001 - 2005
• Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier 2005 - present