Message from the Deputy Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff

Earlier this year, we were proud to present the Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy —a strategy that builds on our commitment to create supportive work environments and conditions that enable all Defence Team members to reach their full potential. We are now in the position to present the following annual report for the fiscal year 2021-2022. This report reflects the significant work that many members of the Defence Team have accomplished to align efforts under the Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy.

This report outlines the work that was conducted across our Defence Team organizations within this reporting period to protect and support health and wellness of Defence Team members. It presents a status on programs and initiatives underway which are aimed at creating a workplace that supports diversity, inclusivity and respect. This includes those which are complete or on track, such as the implementation of the Canadian Armed Forces Diversity Strategy Action Plan, updating existing and implementing new programs to better support women’s health, and those which are critical to the health and well-being of our entire defence team, but require continued effort, such as combating sexual misconduct, eliminating hateful conduct and racism, and preventing harassment and violence in the workplace. Through this report, we hope to demonstrate our continuous investment but also be transparent in the status of our health and wellness related strategies, programs, and services.

Building and sustaining a strong, healthy and resilient Defence Team is a shared responsibility between leaders, managers and each Defence Team member. For the Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy to succeed, it must be embraced by leaders at all levels of the organization and become part of the culture within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. To leadership, we ask that you stay committed to the programs and initiatives presented in this report and continue to promote total health and wellness among your teams. To the greater Defence Team, we hope that the results of the annual report reassure you  of our commitment to supporting your health and wellness. We are making progress, but there is more to do. Let’s continue to  support and encourage collaboration between individuals, leaders, and organizations to foster an environment supportive of the health and wellness of all Defence Team members.