The Department of National Defence (English: Department of National Defence, French: Ministère de la Défense nationale) is a Canadian government department established in 1923 to take charge of Canada's national defence and to oversee the Canadian Forces. It is responsible for the national defense of Canada and the Canadian Forces. The Department of National Defence (English: Department of National Defence, French: Ministère de la Défense nationale) is a Canadian government department established in 1923 and is responsible for the national defence of Canada;