CFAO Cancellation Process

Background

The Canadian Forces Administrative Orders (CFAOs) were issued to supplement and amplify the Queen’s Regulation and Orders (QR&O). They contain administrative policy of continuing effect.

CFAO Cancellation

CFAOs can be cancelled completely or partially (e.g. paragraph, section or annex deletion):

The following table provides more information on CFAO cancellation:

If a CFAO or part of a CFAO will be cancelled … then …

by a DAOD,

the office of primary interest (OPI) has assumed authority for the cancellation of the CFAO. The approval of the DAOD implies that:

  • the CFAO or part of a CFAO identified in the Supersession block is cancelled; and
  • no further review or approval is necessary.

by another approved policy instrument,

that policy instrument selected by the OPI (e.g. a manual, a CANFORGEN or other approved L1 advisor policy instrument) is used as the authority for the cancellation.

Note – The OPI shall inform DSCS 3 immediately when a decision is made to cancel a CFAO with another policy instrument.

without replacement,

normally, the same authority that approved the issuing of the CFAO should also approve the cancellation (a director level as a minimum for approval authority).

Note – Identifying and obtaining the approval of this authority is often made difficult by the:

  • extent of the reorganization in the CF during the last decade; and
  • fact that many of the CFAOs date back to the integration of the CF.

CFAO Cancellation Without Replacement Process Table

The following table describes the steps in the process to cancel a CFAO or part of a CFAO without replacement:

Step Who does it? Action

1

OPI

Informs DSCS 3 in writing that a CFAO or part of a CFAO is to be cancelled and provides the following:

  • the name of the OPI contact: and
  • the reasons for the cancellation, e.g.:
    • out-of-date policy; or
    • policy contained in another policy instrument, e.g. Air Command Order or the Financial Administration Manual.

2

DSCS 3 senior analyst

Prepares the CFAO Submission and Signature Form and applicable documentation and proceeds with the CFAO cancellation process (memo, copy of CFAO, etc.).

Note – Circumstances may arise where an L1 advisor cancels a CFAO or part of a CFAO without prior notification to DSCS 3. Examples:

  • high and immediate legal risk as a result of an outdated policy in a CFAO that requires immediate cancellation by a CANFORGEN; or
  • an L1 advisor approves and promulgates a policy instrument other than a DAOD and has not consulted with DSCS 3.

In these circumstances, the DSCS 3 senior analyst, in discussion with the DSCS 3 manager, will decide the course of action on a case-by-case basis.

Legal Review of CFAO Cancellation

Legal Advisory Services (LAS) is responsible for providing form and legality review in respect of applications to cancel CFAOs completely through the publishing of a DAOD or without replacement.

In the case of replacing a CFAO with another approved policy instrument or partial cancellation, the applicable subject matter legal advisor (SMLA) carries out the legal review.