The Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces (QR&O) are regulations having the force of law for the governance of the Canadian Forces. They are regarded as the primary document of military law and regulations in Canada – aside from the National Defence Act.
The titling of these regulations currently remains unchanged after the Death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Authority
The QR&O are issued under the authority of Section 12 of the National Defence Act (NDA), the governing statute of the Canadian Forces. Section 12 provides the Governor in Council (i.e., the Governor-General acting on the advice of Cabinet) and the Minister of National Defence with the power to make regulations for the "organization, training, discipline, efficiency, administration, and government of the Forces", so long as such regulations are not inconsistent with the NDA, common-law principles of natural justice, the Canadian Bill of Rights or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; it also permits the Treasury Board to make regulations concerning pay, allowances, forfeitures, deductions, etc.
QR&O 1.23 further authorizes the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to issue orders and instructions "not inconsistent with the National Defence Act or with any regulations made by the Governor in Council, the Treasury Board or the Minister" in the discharge of his duties or in implementation/explanation of regulations.
Each regulation or order within the QR&O is, as noted above, issued under the authority of the Governor in Council, the Minister, Treasury Board, or CDS; the issuing authority is indicated by a letter in parentheses following each regulation or order, namely (G), (M), (T), and (C), respectively.
Volumes
The QR&O is divided into four volumes, containing the indicated chapters: Volume I – Administrative (Chapters 1 through 100) Volume II – Disciplinary (Chapters 101 through 200) Volume III – Financial (Chapters 201 through 300) Volume IV – Appendices
Volume I – Administrative
Volume I contains the most wide-ranging subject matter. It contains regulations and orders for the CF to cover almost every aspect of military life, from enrolment to release, and all items in between. It comprises the following chapters: Ch. 1 – Introduction and Definitions Ch. 2 – Government and Organization Ch. 3 – Rank, Seniority, Command and Precedence Ch. 4 – Duties and Responsibilities of officers Ch. 5 – Duties and Responsibilities of Non-Commissioned Members Ch. 6 – Enrolment and Re-Engagement Ch. 7 – Grievances Ch. 8 – (Not Allocated) Ch. 9 – Reserve Service Ch. 10 – Transfer, Attachment, Secondment and Loan Ch. 11 – Promotion, Reversion and Compulsory Remustering Ch. 12 – Promotion of Officers Ch. 13 – (Not Allocated) Ch. 14 – Promotion and Reclassification of Non-Commissioned Members Ch. 15 – Release Ch. 16 – Leave Ch. 17 – Dress and Appearance Ch. 18 – Honours Ch. 19 – Conduct and Discipline Ch. 20 – Canadian Forces Drug Control Program Ch. 21 – Summary Investigations and Boards of Inquiry Ch. 22 – Military Police and Reports on Persons in Custody Ch. 23 – Duties in Aid of the Civil Power Ch. 24 – Casualties and Funerals Ch. 25 – Service Estates and Personal Belongings Ch. 26 – Personal Records and Documents Ch. 27 – Messes, Canteens and Institutes Ch. 28 – Allotment and Occupation of Quarters Ch. 29 – Works and Buildings Ch. 30 – Fire Protection Services Ch. 31 – (Repealed) Ch. 32 – Bands Ch. 33 – Chaplain Services Ch. 34 – Medical Services Ch. 35 – Dental Services Ch. 36 – Materiel and Provision of Services Ch. 37 – (Not Allocated) Ch. 38 – Liability for Public and Non-Public Property Ch. 39 to 100 (Not Allocated)
Volume II – Disciplinary
Volume II amplifies the Code of Service Discipline and is the authoritative manual for military law in Canada. It contains the regulations governing the commission of service offences (ranging from treason to negligent discharges) and the prosecution and punishment thereof, from summary trials to the various kinds of court-martial. It comprises the following chapters: