Message from the Director of Military Prosecutions

I am pleased to present this fourth Annual Report since my appointment on 29 June 2021. 

The implementation of Bill C-77 in June 2022, combined with my decision to implement Madame Louise Arbour’s interim recommendation in November 2021, has continued to create a temporary reduction in the number of cases being referred to the Canadian Military Prosecution Service (CMPS) and prosecuted by court martial.  I expect that this temporary reduction will continue over the short term, before we see a return to historical case loads in one-to-two years’ time.

This reporting period, we have seen a strain on prosecution resources, particularly in the form of vacancies and periods of leave without pay among the trial prosecutor positions. This situation has been manageable due to the reduced case load.  I anticipate a return to normal strength in time for our projected return to historical case loads.

Over the reporting period, CMPS reduced its outreach activities in relation to the implementation of Bill C-77, which resulted in a noticeable increase in dissatisfaction among stakeholders about decisions made in individual files. These education and engagement activities clearly continue to be a valuable and necessary part of the implementation of the new system. I intend to increase the number of such engagements over the next reporting period.

I remain exceptionally proud of our team of dedicated, professional military prosecutors and support staff. The CMPS is a highly effective service that is fully capable of meeting the demands of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian public now and in the years to come.

ORDO PER JUSTITIA

Colonel Dylan Kerr, CD
Director of Military Prosecutions

Colonel Dylan Kerr, CD
Director of Military Prosecutions