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DAOD 2017-0, Military Grievances

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Policy Direction
  3. Consequences
  4. Authorities
  5. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2012-02-03

Date of Last Modification: 2026-04-01

Date of Last Review: 2026-04-01

Application: This DAOD is an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession:

  • DAOD 2017-1, Military Grievance Process
  • CFAO 19-32, Redress of Grievance
  • CANFORGEN 009/10, Change of Procedures – Staffing of Grievances
  • CANFORGEN 092/06, Canadian Forces Grievance Authority – Registry
  • CANFORGEN 110/06, Disclosure of Information to DND and CF Members
  • CANFORGEN 127/08, Initial Authority for PER Grievances
  • CANFORGEN 143/11, DGCFGA Armed Forces Council (AFC) Initiatives
  • CANFORGEN 208/09, Assistance by Legal Counsel During the Grievance Process
  • CANFORGEN 224/08, CF Grievance Submission Time Limits
  • CF Grievance Manual

Approval Authority: Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC)

Enquiries: Director General Canadian Forces Grievance Authority (DG CFGA)

2. Policy Direction

Context

2.1 Subsection 29(1) of the National Defence Act (NDA) provides that a CAF member who has been aggrieved by any decision, act or omission in the administration of the affairs of the CAF for which no other process for redress is provided under the NDA is entitled to submit a grievance.

2.2 Supplementary direction and guidance to the applicable NDA and the Queen’s Regulations and Orders provisions are set out in the CAF Grievance Policy.

2.3 This DAOD provides supplementary direction that assists all participants in the Canadian Armed Forces Grievance System (CAFGS).

2.4 The purpose of the CAFGS is to maintain the operational effectiveness of the CAF, including its efficiency and morale. 

Policy Statement

2.5 The CAF is committed to ensuring that every CAF member who has been aggrieved:

  1. has the opportunity to exercise their right to submit a grievance; and
  2. receives a timely and impartial determination of their grievance with reasons.

Requirements

2.6 The CAFGS must ensure that:

  1. all grievances are processed as efficiently and expeditiously as possible;
  2. a CAF member is not penalized for submitting a grievance; and
  3. assistance is made available to a CAF member in the preparation of a grievance.

2.7 Detailed policy for CAF members, commanding officers (COs) and redress authorities in respect of the CAFGS is provided in the CAF Grievance Policy found on the DG CFGA website.

3. Consequences

General

3.1 Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, CAF members may seek direction through their chain of command. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians and the maintenance of international peace and stability.

4. Authorities

Authority Table

4.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

The ... has the authority to ...
Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)
  • act under section 29.11 of the NDA as the final authority (FA) in the grievance process; and
  • delegate under subsection 29.14(1) of the NDA.
DG CFGA
  • as superintendent of the CAFGS:
    • direct the actions required to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the grievance process;
    • oversee the assistance provided to CAF members within the grievance process;
    • act as the primary CAF interface with the Military Grievance External Review Committee; and
    • exercise powers, duties or functions delegated by the CDS as the FA in the grievance process.
Officers directly responsible to the CDS
  • exercise powers, duties or functions delegated by the CDS as the FA in the grievance process;
  • facilitate informal resolution, where necessary; and
  • consider and determine files in a timely manner.
commander or officer appointed to the position of Director General or above at National Defence Headquarters
  • act as the initial authority (IA) in respect of a grievance if responsible for dealing with the matter that is the subject of the grievance;
  • facilitate informal resolution, where necessary; and
  • consider and determine files in a timely manner. 
CO of a grievor
  • act as the IA in respect of a grievance if the CO can grant the redress sought; and
  • facilitate informal resolution.

5. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

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2026-04-01