The Code of Service Discipline (CSD) is the basis of the Canadian Forces military justice system.
The CSD is designed to assist military commanders in maintaining discipline, efficiency, and morale within the Canadian Forces (CF).
More recently, the Supreme Court of Canada, in R v Généreux, recognized the continuing need for a separate system of military justice.
The Supreme Court stated that Canada depends on the CF to defend against threats to its security and the military must be able to enforce discipline effectively and efficiently in order to maintain its readiness.
Accordingly, breaches of discipline must be dealt with speedily and will often result in more severe punishments than what a civilian might receive for the same conduct.