WEBVTT

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Today on International
Women's Day,

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we celebrate women
across the defence team

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who defend our country

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and demonstrate excellence
every day.

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Women who speak truth to power,

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and work hard to make our
military a more effective,

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welcoming, and inclusive
organization.

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Women who challenge the notion

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that the way things are
is how they should be.

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First and foremost,

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today is about recognizing them
and the work they do.

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In the field, in aircraft,
ships, and in tanks.

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In leadership roles across
the entire defence team.

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Their hard work is vital
to our organization's success.

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Women like Chief Warrant
Officer Necole Belanger,

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who knew she wanted to join

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the military when
she was five years old.

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She was driven by a desire
to serve her country.

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That passion has been
the hallmark

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of her 34 years of service.

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In that time, she has served

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as a member
of the Military Police,

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and in other important roles

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across the Canadian
Armed Forces.

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In the early 2000s, she was
the mission security manager

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for the Canadian Embassy
in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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She and her wife were one
of the first out couples

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to be posted overseas.

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And, two years ago,

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she was appointed
to her current position

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of Command Chief Warrant Officer

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for Canadian Forces
Intelligence Command.

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Or Defence Scientist
Dr. Ritu Gill.

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Her research on disinformation
is vital to our success

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when CAF members deploy abroad.

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She continues to advocate
for greater diversity of women

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in the Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math fields

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by reaching out
to high school students

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to allow girls to see scientists
who look and sound like them.

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Or Elizebeth Smith Friedman,

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one of America's top
cryptanalysts

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during World War II.

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She helped break ENIGMA codes
that exposed Nazi spies.

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She also solved puzzles
for the Canadian government,

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tackled organized crime

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and led a cryptanalytic effort
against smuggling.

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Women at National Defence,
the Canadian Armed Forces

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and the Communications
Security Establishment,

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civilian and military,

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do critical work like this every
day to keep our country safe

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and contribute to a more
peaceful and prosperous world.

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Over the past decades,
the Canadian Armed Forces

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and the Department
of National Defence

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have changed for the better,

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but we have so much work to do.

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We know the Canadian Armed
Forces has a culture rooted

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in tradition and history,

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and not all of that history
is good.

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We must change this culture

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to be more inclusive
and respectful.

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Though institutional
change can be slow,

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the time for patience is over.

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We must re-double our efforts.

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We must continue working hard
to ensure our policies,

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attitudes, and behaviors
live up to Canadian values.

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We must work harder
to build a safer

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and more inclusive
workplace for women,

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military and civilian alike.

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And we must make sure
our efforts benefit all women.

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So, this International
Women's Day,

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let's keep pushing forward.

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Let's recognize
the women who inspire us,

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and who put words into action.

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And let's celebrate the women
who make us a more resilient,

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agile, and effective
organization.