Message from the Deputy Minister to National Defence Public Service Employees

March 26, 2021 - Defence Stories

This message is to public service employees working at National Defence (DND).

It is time for me to talk to you directly about the challenges around sexual misconduct that we are dealing with. I wanted to be sure that real institutional change is underway so that any updates on progress that I share are rooted in absolutes and tangibles, rather than promises or good intentions.

But in waiting to share, I have left many of you with impressions that nothing substantive is underway to address problems. That’s not the case, but it’s also not accurate to say that we are near where we need to be in terms of an overarching solution.

You all need and deserve to know the steps we are taking to address the damaging elements of our Defence Team culture. And while today I am writing to share some of what we are considering, one of the most important first steps will be listening to our Defence Team members. Your experiences and views on how we can enact change in our organization are vital. Moving forward, it is of utmost importance that our solutions are reflective of what we are hearing.

Earlier this week, the Acting Chief of the Defence Staff released a letter outlining some of the efforts and considerations that are currently underway. These include lessons learned from Operation HONOUR as it culminates, identifying the steps necessary to create a workplace where individuals feel safe to come forward, finalizing and publishing the Code of Professional Military Conduct, adding new rigour and science to leader selection, implementing the Restorative Engagement aspect of the Heyder-Beattie Harmful Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour class action lawsuit final settlement agreement, and improving mechanisms to listen and learn from experiences of those who have been harmed. If you have not already, I encourage everyone to read his message.

It’s important to note that real change takes time. We need to work at removing barriers to reporting and fear of reprisal. And we need to work at removing behaviours that seek to make people feel as though they are lesser individuals, by virtue of their gender or race. The women of DND and CAF are extraordinary – their contributions too numerous to mention – but the effort required to do this work takes too much of a toll, in too many cases. Far too often, it feels like or seems like no one cares and nothing is done. I know this to be true. That must change. We will work with you to affect this change. Not an order from an ivory tower, but real solutions to a profound and damaging problem. No one change will be a perfect solution. This is a generational process to build structures that educate, mentor, promote and support the kinds of leaders who will embody the Department we need to be.

While certain aspects of our culture require change, others are valued and must be retained. The culture of selfless service, sacrificing the needs of yourself and family to assist are fundamental to the CAF. I also believe that behaviour and culture change cannot be “ordered”. It’s a movement. Expectations have to permeate from top to bottom and bottom to top. Expectations that are inclusive of the entire Defence Team.

We also need clear guidelines on what’s acceptable, and clear consequences for behaviour that isn’t; no matter who you are or what your pay grade is. We will continue to engage and consult with the National Unions as we move along this path — our strong partnership can only help build a better way forward.

Change requires deliberate action to remove toxic elements from the institution while preserving what is good. And there is much that is good.

The work you’re all doing—in the midst of a global pandemic—is phenomenal and important. The work done by the Department and CAF has shaped Canada for the better, not just in past history but this year with all of the work around supporting vulnerable Canadians through the COVID pandemic.

Our Defence Team is full of bright, dedicated, thoughtful employees who have—from your earliest years—understood what it means to work in a respectful, fully integrated and equal organization.

Your hard and complicated work today will make sure the organization you lead and support is the one that will best serve Canadians in the challenging global environment to come.

 

Jody Thomas
Deputy Minister of National Defence