Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, released the fourth biannual status report of the External Monitor, Madame Jocelyne Therrien.
The report provides an external, independent assessment of the progress made by the Department of Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in implementing the recommendations made by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour in the Independent External Comprehensive Review (IECR), released in May 2022.
In this latest report, Madame Therrien provides an update on the implementation of recommendations based on her regular discussions with Minister Blair and DND/CAF officials, as well as review of documents, policies and processes.
Madame Therrien reiterates that there is a genuine will to change the organizational culture of DND/CAF-noting significant positive momentum since 2021. Examples of positive progress cited in her report include:
- the creation of a probationary period by December 2024 that will more systematically assess the suitability of recruits in terms of moral values, including the capacity to release members with less administrative burden than currently exists;
- initiatives implemented to streamline the process of getting a recruit in the door and ready for training;
- the professional education continuum focused on ethical values that get reinforced throughout a member's career;
- a promotion process that is built upon the precepts of character-based leadership; and
- the efforts to choose instructors who genuinely personify and can effectively teach appropriate behaviour.
While the drive for institutional change is evident, Madame Therrien notes that some challenges remain persistent. The quality of data available creates obstacles to fully understand the scope of the problem and whether organizational changes have had the desired effect. She also notes the challenges created by CAF rotation patterns, specifically when it comes to institutionalizing the desired change.
Madame Therrien states that all 48 IECR recommendations have been actioned, as have several recommendations from other external reviews. Twenty-two IECR recommendations have been deemed fully implemented.
The Military Justice System Modernization Act, Bill C-66, has also reached second reading in the House of Commons. This legislation would definitively remove the CAF's jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada, giving exclusive jurisdiction to civilian authorities.
In a statement,[HD1] Minister Blair welcomed this report and thanked the External Monitor for her independent and external perspective. Minister Blair also outlined the progress made to date, and measures that the Government is taking to implement the remainder of Madame Arbour's 48 recommendations.
