April 30: Twitter Update from the Deputy Minister Jody Thomas

May 4, 2021 – Defence Stories

Friday Update: Even as we lean into creating a better future, we remember the bright lights we lost too early one year ago yesterday: Abbigail Cowbrough, Matthew Pyke, Matthew Cousins, Maxime Miron-Morin, Kevin Hagen, and Brenden Ian MacDonald. #WeWillRememberThem 

An important week in the fight to prevent systemic misconduct. Thursday, we announced both imminent action and the foundations for long-term evolutionary shifts within DND and the CAF. This message explains more: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/maple-leaf/defence/2021/04/dm-acds-message-defence-team-regarding-culture-change.html

Then today, we released the CDS/DM Initiating Directive for Professional Conduct and Culture. It will shape immediate internal restructuring, giving a single L1 functional authority over Defence Team conduct and culture. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/dm-cds-directives/cds-dm-initiating-directive-professional-conduct-culture.html

BZ to LGen Carignan on her promotion to 2nd highest rank in the CAF as she takes the helm as Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture. Outstanding by any measure, she is the right leader to take on this complex role at a critical time for our Defence Team.

We recognize there is skepticism. Will the role have authority and agency to make meaningful change? In a word, yes. We will take the time to determine what other CAF/DND elements will move under the new L1. Lots of moving pieces and we will do it right. 

More listening and learning is also key. So grateful to the internal leaders and external experts who have been generously sharing advice, observations and ideas as to how we can be the Defence Team Canadians expect us to be.

Please keep talking to us. Engage the @DNDCAF_SMRC, @DNDCF_Ombudsman, and the Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture. Keep reporting, talking and questioning, even as we restructure to expand services and remove barriers.

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