1.0 Purpose and Scope

People continue to be at the core of everything the Defence Team does to ensure Canada remains strong, secure and engaged in the world. Our mission success depends on having healthy, resilient, well- trained, and motivated personnel supported by talented and dedicated defence civilians working within the Department of National Defence (DND). This integrated civilian- military Defence Team is the heart of our institution.

2019-20 DND Departmental Plan

Mission success requires all of us to perform to the best of our abilities. The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) understand that empowering the entire Defence Team to improve their health and wellness is critical to the success of a high-performing organization. A healthier Defence Team is a stronger one, and strengthening the Defence Team is a departmental priority.Footnote 1

The Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy is founded on an evidence-based innovative framework. It provides the architecture to promote a shared under- standing of total health and wellness for all Defence Team members. It is focused on improving individual health outcomes. It is also informed by extensive consultation with subject matter experts (SMEs), organizational stake- holders, leadership, unions and bargaining agents, and members of the Defence Team.

This strategy is based on the simple idea that the commitment of Defence Team members to our success deserves a corresponding commitment by the DND/CAF to support their well-being. A core insight of the strategy is that delivering on this commitment requires an approach that transcends physical and mental health, and moves beyond compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS). It must include other factors from both the work- place and personal life; including spirituality, our psycho- social and physical work environment; our families; our social/cultural connections; our financial health; and the condition of our personal physical environment.

This Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy is a renewed approach to the way we care for our people. It builds on cutting edge work in previous strategies that have led the charge on supporting a holistic approach to health and wellness. Strategies such as: the Canadian Army Integrated Performance Strategy (Mission: Ready – CAIPS), the Surgeon General’s Integrated Health Strategy, BALANCE – The CAF Physical Performance Strategy, and the Federal Public Service Mental Health Strategy have shown leader- ship in advancing the importance of integrated, aligned and balanced approaches to health and wellness.

The strategy aims to align and build on these ideas by taking a Defence Team-wide approach that is captured in our Action Plan (Annex A). We will measure and report on our performance with the Performance Measurement Framework outlined in Annex B. The goal is to ensure an effective strategy that creates the necessary conditions which enables our CAF members and Defence civilians to better balance competing demands at work and at home, leading to greater productivity and success.

1.1 Who is the strategy for?

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)Footnote 2 work together to fulfill the Government of Canada’s enduring mission to defend Canadian interests at home and abroad. The collective wellness of the Defence Team is essential to sustaining a combat-ready and combat-effective military force. The Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy is a workplace strategy that considers the entire Defence Team. The Defence Team is defined broadly to include all military members (Regular Force and Reserve Force) and their families, civilian public servants, and all other civilians (e.g., Non-public funds employees and contractors) supporting Defence goals. This definition does not represent a change in policy, entitlements or access to programs and services which continue to be subject to the terms of each individual’s specific employment agreement. However, this broader definition recognizes the fact that every individual contributes to creating a healthy work environment and is entitled to work in an environment that is free of harassment, discrimination and hateful conduct.

This strategy also acknowledges the intersectionality of identity factors such as gender, race, age, religion, rank, and occupation. Furthermore, the strategy recognizes the differences in legal obligations, terms of employment, employment relationships, and the nature of work in which team members are engaged. Although we share common health and wellness needs, differences in the demands of work and the associated health impacts requires a flexible strategy that can be adjusted based on individual needs and eligibility. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable work environment which enables all Defence Team members to reach their full potential.

Reducing Conflict in the Workplace

Supporting Initiative: Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM) services are provided through 16 centres at Bases and Wings nationally and are accessible through telephone or email.

Benefits for the Defence Team: ICCM aims to improve working conditions and working relationships for CAF members by resolving conflicts quickly with optimal outcomes.

This strategy provides the necessary overarching structure and strategic framework to: align existing strategies; address gaps; and ensure integrated coordination across the DND/CAF. The strategy is enabled by all organizations in the DND/CAF and led by the following three organizations with key responsibilities for the health and wellness of Defence Team members:

The Defence Team Total Health and Wellness Strategy is aligned with the DND/CF Code of Values and Ethics, and Duty with Honour, which identifies member well-being as a key enabler to mission success

This strategy provides the necessary overarching structure and strategic framework to: align existing strategies; address gaps; and ensure integrated coordination across the DND/CAF. The strategy is enabled by all organizations in the DND/CAF and led by the following three organizations with key responsibilities for the health and wellness of Defence Team members:

  1. Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS);
  2. Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)/Military Personnel Command (MPC); and
  3. Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources-Civilian) [ADM(HR-Civ)].

1.2 Vision/Mission

Our vision is for a safe, fit and resilient Defence Team that is empowered to achieve its mission, confident in its ability to fulfill its potential, and enabled to balance the competing demands of work and life.

Our mission is to empower Defence Team members with the conditions, knowledge, and support necessary to improve their wellness in pursuit of personal and organizational goals.

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