Chapter 3: Communication and Outreach
3.1 Overview
58. Communication and outreach activities continue to play a vital role in building public confidence in Canada’s military justice system. Building on the foundations established in previous years, the DMP has maintained regular engagement with a range of stakeholders—both internal and external—to strengthen understanding of the system and reinforce trust in its integrity. These engagements have included key actors in the military justice process as well as national and international partners. This Chapter provides an overview of the communication and outreach activities undertaken by the CMPS during the reporting period.
3.2 Chain of Command
59. The military justice system exists to promote the operational effectiveness of the CAF by contributing to the maintenance of discipline, efficiency, and morale. It also ensures that justice is administered fairly and with respect for the rule of law. As the military justice system is one of several tools available to the chain of command to advance these objectives, it is imperative that the DMP, and Military Prosecutors within the CMPS, actively and effectively engage the chain of command throughout the court martial process.
60. During this reporting period, the ADMP, on behalf of the DMP, conducted targeted outreach activities, including a briefing to the Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Borden and a presentation to the CF MP Gp Branch Council. These engagements focused on the continued implementation of Bill C-77, including the investigation and prosecution of service offences and the use of the summary hearing process to address unit-level disciplinary needs.
3.3 Military Police
61. Maintaining a strong relationship with investigative agencies remains essential to the effectiveness of CMPS. While respecting the institutional independence of each organization, close collaboration between prosecutors and investigators ensures that their respective roles are exercised independently yet cooperatively. This partnership enhances both the efficiency and quality of the military justice system.
62. During the reporting period, members of CMPS continued to support CFNIS and the broader CF MP Gp by delivering presentations on various aspects of military justice. These included sessions at the CFMPA, the annual CFNIS Detachment Commanders' review, and the indoctrination course for new CFNIS investigators. These presentations contributed to strengthening the understanding of military justice processes and recent legal developments affecting law enforcement within the CAF.
63. In addition to these ongoing engagements, CMPS provided enhanced support to CFMPA during the extended leave of their legal advisor. The ADMP, the DDMP Ops, and Military Prosecutors stepped in to deliver legal training across various military police instructional programs, ensuring continuity of legal education throughout the absence.
64. CMPS also undertook a significant project in collaboration with CFMPA: the review and update of course materials for the MPIC. One Military Prosecutor was assigned to review and ensure that the content was aligned with the most recent legislative amendments to the NDA stemming from the implementation of Bill C-77.
65. Throughout the reporting period, the ADMP and DDMP Ops maintained regular and constructive engagement with the CFPM and senior leaders within the CF MP Gp, reinforcing a shared commitment to accountability, professionalism, and the effective administration of military justice.
3.4 Federal-Provincial-Territorial Heads of Prosecution Committee
66. The Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Heads of Prosecution (HoP) Committee was established in 1995. It is composed of the heads of Canada’s 12 prosecution services: the Directors of Public Prosecution for each of the 10 provinces, the Director of Public Prosecutions for the PPSC, and the DMP. The FPT HoP Committee serves as a national forum for discussing prosecution-related issues and for sharing best practices and information on legal and managerial matters. Since its creation, the Committee has fostered cooperation and coordination among Canadian prosecution services and has contributed to the development of consistent approaches to national prosecution issues. It also acts as an advisory body, providing a venue through which stakeholders may consult and obtain the collective views of the Canadian prosecution community.Footnote 7
67. During this reporting period, the DMP participated in both the spring and fall sessions of the FPT HoP Committee. The spring session was held in St. John’s, NL, and the fall session took place in Toronto, ON.
3.5 International Association of Prosecutors
68. The ADMP and DDMP Ops represented the CMPS at the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), held from 29 September to 2 October 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The theme of this year’s conference focused on the multifaceted role of the prosecutor in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. During the main plenary session, the DDMP Ops delivered a presentation on the Canadian approach to protecting victims of sexual violence, highlighting best practices and recent reforms within the military justice system. The Canadian contribution was well received and reinforced CMPS’s commitment to international collaboration and the promotion of victim-centered prosecution strategies. In addition to the formal sessions, the ADMP and DDMP Ops engaged in targeted networking with counterparts from allied prosecution services. Notably, discussions with the Directors of Military Prosecutions for the Irish Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration. As a direct result, both organizations sent Military Prosecutors to participate in the CMPS 25th Anniversary Training Week held in Ottawa in February 2025.
69. The 30th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the IAP will take place in Singapore from 7 to 10 September 2025.
3.6 Engagement with Civilian Prosecution Services
70. As part of CMPS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with its civilian counterparts and promote professional development, one Military Prosecutor participated in a four-month long exchange with the PPSC in the Northwest Territories. The exchange provided valuable exposure to the administration of justice in a remote and culturally diverse environment. It also enhanced the Military Prosecutor’s understanding of the unique realities, customs, and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples and northern communities, fostering greater cultural awareness.