22 January 2025, Ottawa, Ontario - The Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombud has released a report titled Standing together: Ensuring fair treatment for Canadian Language and Cultural Advisors who served in Afghanistan, a final call for the fair treatment of those who served alongside CAF members in Afghanistan.
This report identified the multiple issues facing Canadian Language and Cultural Advisors (LCAs), including working conditions not being described by DND, delays in policy implementation, frequency of deployments, access to health services and challenging ongoing support.
The Ombud recommended that, under the authority of the Minister, the DND immediately offer independent assessments to the LCAs who served in Afghanistan from 2006-2014 and who claim to have been adversely or permanently affected by their employment.
If implemented, these recommendations will ensure the LCAs, who were a crucial part of helping CAF members in Afghanistan, receive the care and compensation they rightfully deserve for their commendable service.
