Today, I am honoured
to participate,
as the Acting Chief
of the Defence Staff,
on International Women's Day,
the theme of which
is "Women in leadership:
Achieving an equal future
in a COVID-19 world."
Over the past month, we've had
cause to reflect on our values,
our culture, and our workplace.
We have had, and will continue
to have, necessary conversations
about the tangible changes
that we need to make.
But today is a day to celebrate
women's achievements.
It is a day to honour
their contributions.
It is a day to lift women up.
To inspire. To share joy.
To build community.
During this pandemic,
we have asked our members
to fight against COVID-19
at home and abroad.
In our medical occupations,
women make up almost
half of our workforce,
and they have been on the front
lines each and every day.
They've worked tirelessly
to save lives.
They were part of the teams
who helped Canadians return
from China and Japan
at the onset of the pandemic.
And today, as Canadian Rangers,
women contribute to our efforts
to support and safeguard
Northern and Indigenous
communities across the country.
As challenging as COVID-19
has been for all of us,
we remain mission focused.
This is evident in our ongoing
operations overseas,
many of which are led
and composed of women
proudly serving their country.
Missions like training
Ukrainian Security Forces,
contributing to peace
support operations in Mali,
Kosovo, and Cyprus;
and disrupting drug trafficking
in the Caribbean
and Eastern Pacific.
Women in uniform
have represented Canada
on the world stage,
women like Commodore Josee Kurtz
and Major General
Jennie Carignan,
who recently commanded
multinational forces overseas.
Each leader paves
the way for the next.
For example, soon, we will
see a transfer of command
in Operation UNIFIER
in the Ukraine,
from LCol Sarah Heer
to LCol Melanie Lake.
On missions around the world,
women continue
to lead from the front,
women like LCol Jaime Phillips,
our Task Force Commander
in Bamako, Mali.
Together, guided by the Defence
Women's Advisory Organization,
defence researchers,
and the lived experiences
of our members,
we will continue
to push forward.
We need to identify
and then dismantle the barriers
that prevent women's meaningful
participation in the CAF,
across all environments,
occupations, and ranks.
That means changing outdated
policies and outdated mindsets.
We need to be flexible
and offer people career paths
that work for them
using a personalized approach
based on an individual's
circumstances.
And we need to encourage
and support women
as they develop
in their careers.
You know as I do that those
in leadership positions,
of which most are held by men,
have a responsibility to mentor,
sponsor and advocate for women
who are coming up
through the ranks.
We have an active role to play
in creating a CAF culture
that is equitable
and inclusive for women.
Every day around the world,
Canadian women in uniform
are serving with duty,
with honour, with integrity,
and with courage.
They are protecting Canadians,
defending our country,
and contributing
to international security
and stability.
At every level, women
in our military demonstrate
the very best
Canada has to offer.
To everyone watching,
thank you for participating
in today's International
Women's Day celebration.
I look forward to continued
collaboration with all of you
to make the Canadian
Armed Forces
a stronger, more inclusive,
and more effective organization.
Thank you.