Walter Natynczyk

Walter John Natynczyk ( ; born October 29, 1957) is a Canadian public servant and retired Canadian Army general who has served as deputy minister of Veterans Affairs from 2014 to 2021. He was the president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2013 to 2014 and Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces from 2008 to 2012.

Personal life Natynczyk is married to Leslie. They have three children who, notably, each chose to serve in a different branch of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Both Polish-Canadian and German-Canadian, Natynczyk was born to a family of European emigrants from war-ravaged Europe on October 29, 1957, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His Polish father was a soldier in the Polish Army during World War II,

Military career Natynczyk joined the Canadian Forces in August 1975. He attended Royal Roads Military College and Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration. Natynczyk led the Corps' 35,000 soldiers, consisting of 10 separate brigades, stationed throughout the Iraq Theatre of Operations. He was later awarded the Meritorious Service Cross specifically for his combat efforts in Operation Iraqi Freedom January 2004 to January 2005.

Upon his return to Canada, he assumed command of the Land Force Doctrine and Training System. He was subsequently appointed Chief of Transformation, where he was responsible for implementation of the force restructuring and the enabling processes and policies. Natynczyk was promoted to general, and installed as CDS on July 2, 2008. General Natynczyk transferred his appointment at a change of command ceremony in 2012.

On February 16, 2012, in Washington, the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, general Martin Dempsey, awarded the Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) to Natynczyk.

Retirement from the Canadian Forces Natynczyk retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in December 2012 to take on public service, after transferring control of the defence staff to his successor, RCAF General Thomas Lawson, just 2 months earlier.

Post-military career On August 6, 2013, he was appointed president of the Canadian Space Agency by prime minister Stephen Harper. He was appointed as the 9th deputy minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, effective November 3, 2014,

Natynczyk retired from public service in 2021, receiving accolades from prime minister Justin Trudeau for his lifetime dedication and service to Canadians.

In December 2024, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada by governor general Mary Simon. He lives in Hartington, Ontario.

Honours and decorations Source:

Degree of Officer

From United States of America

Degree of Commander Awarded in 2013