National Defence Act

The National Defence Act (or NDA) is a federal statute which dictates the legal framework for the existence of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Federal Government holds sole responsibility for Militia, Military and Naval Service, and Defence., per the Constitution act, 1867, para 91 (7).

The NDA is available online at:

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/N-5/text.html