Operation HONOUR Steering Committee Terms of Reference

Table of Content

• Terms of Reference
• Background
• Purpose
• Mandate
• Membership
• Quorum
• Governance
• Accountability
• Frequency of meetings
• Approval
• Contact

Terms of Reference

Date of Issue

May 2019

References

A. CDS Op Order – Op HONOUR
B. FRAG O 001 to CDS Op Order – Operation HONOUR
C. FRAG O 004 to CDS Op Order – Operation HONOUR

Application

This directive applies to the membership of the Operation HONOUR Steering Committee.

Supersession

N/A

Approval Authority

This TOR is issued under the authority of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

Enquires

COS and/or Director General CAF Strategic Response Team on Sexual Misconduct (DG CSRT-SM).

Background

The Canadian Armed Forces Action Plan on Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour was developed as a result of the CAF Strategic Response Team on Sexual Misconduct’s (CSRT-SM) preliminary analysis of the External Review Authority’s (ERA) Final Report. The plan consists of four major lines of effort as follows:

• Understand,
• Respond,
• Support, and
• Prevent.

The Strategic Response Team on Sexual Misconduct’s role is to lead, influence, and facilitate change within the Profession of Arms/CAF that fosters a culture of dignity, trust, honour and respect.

Two external bodies associated with the CSRT-SM and the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) are described at ref B and are as follows:

• A CAF-led steering committee to meet the oversight and management requirement of all Operation HONOUR initiatives; and
• An External Advisory Council to provide non-binding advice and guidance from a group of informed subject matter experts (SMEs) in the field on inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Purpose

The purpose of the SC is to provide a forum for the chain of command to inform, provide input, and discuss Operation HONOUR and the CSRT-SM’s efforts to meet the CDS’ intent from the immediate requirements through to the long term goals. Rather than plan in isolation with a relatively closed group of subject matter experts and special advisors, the CSRT-SM will leverage the SC to both inform and get informed on initiatives and directives as seen and understood through the L1s. Meetings are meant to inform process and products in advance of the authoritative processes necessary to turn direction into policy. Representatives of the L1s provide the perspective of their L1, assist in disseminating information and will serve as advocates and environmental leads for Operation HONOUR.

Mandate

The mandate of the Operation HONOUR Steering Committee is to provide oversight of Operation HONOUR activities within their organizations and provide feedback and guidance to the CSRT-SM, who works under the oversight of the VCDS and his responsibility to execute the Op HONOUR mission. The mandate includes the following:

• To receive updates on the services, current initiatives, successes and challenges of the CSRT-SM;
• To receive information, expertise and advice from the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) on trends, new ideas, research, programs, models, strategies and best practices on victim support, and how to prevent sexual misconduct;
• To provide guidance on governance and management issues, decision making and planning;
• To build awareness and understanding about the current situation within the CAF on inappropriate sexual behavior and monitor progress on Operation HONOUR initiatives and related organizational changes;
• To provide guidance on Strategic Communications strategies; and
• To discuss DND/CAF programs, policies and services and act as catalyst for change by providing information and guidance relative to Sexual Misconduct.

Membership

The Chair:

The Steering Committee is chaired by the DG CSRT-SM. This duty cannot be delegated. The Chair will:

• convene the Steering Committee;
• make decisions within the mandate of the Steering Committee;
• allow for a forum where appropriate advisory services and strategic analysis are provided to achieve the aim(s) of the Steering Committee;
• set agendas and create meeting schedules;
• establish risk management processes; and
• ensures that the SC member’s opinions, are solicited and considered, including those of the NCM working group as appropriate

The Members:

The Steering Committee is comprised of L1 Deputy Commanders or senior representatives not below the Col/Capt(N) rank and CAF SMEs, to include select CWO/CPO1s as appropriate, who will meet no less than semi-annually to ensure CAF-wide situational awareness, information sharing, and leadership, focused on the elimination of sexual misconduct from the CAF. When members are unable to attend, a senior alternate may represent them. The Members:

• effectively represent the views of their respective organization;
• ensure that horizontal perspectives are brought to the attention of the Steering Committee;
• provide pertinent information in a timely manner for items they are responsible for;
• support the Chair in the decision-making process by contributing their professional and personal expertise; and
• ensure that recommendations are in line with all applicable legislation, regulations, policies and directives.

Ex Officio Member

• Executive Director Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (ED SMRC)

Other Members

• Canadian Forces Surgeon General
• Canadian Forces Legal Advisor
• Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM)
• Chaplain General (Chap Gen)
• Director General Integrated Conflict and Complaint Mechanism (DGICCM)
• Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis (DGMPRA)
• Judge Advocate General (JAG)

Optional Observer:

• CAF Gender Advisor

Executive Secretary:

CSRT-SM COS is the Executive Secretary of the Working Group and is responsible to the Chair in this capacity. The CSRT-SM COS provides support to the Steering Committee in the form of:

• secretarial services;
• coordinating analytical support;
• issues management and decision tracking;
• dissemination of relevant information in a timely manner; and
• provision of timely records of discussion/decision and agenda promulgation.

Quorum

The quorum consists of the Chair and half of the members. At each meeting, the Executive Secretary will determine whether sufficient members are present to achieve quorum.

Governance

The VCDS will provide strategic direction to its work, and receive the findings, advice and decisions of the committee.

Accountability

The Operation HONOUR Steering Committee is responsible to the VCDS.

Frequency of Meetings

The Operation HONOUR Steering Committee will meet a minimum of twice annually. The committee can convene ad hoc meetings on short notice or submit materials for consideration secretarially in order to maintain flexibility and to ensure CAF-wide situational awareness, information sharing, and leadership focused on the elimination of harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour from the CAF.

Approval

These Terms of Reference (TOR) are approved by P.F. Wynnyk, Lieutenant-General, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and will be reviewed two years from this approval date.

P.F. Wynnyk
Lieutenant-General
May 2019

Contact

Directorate Professional Military Conduct—Operation HONOUR (DPMC-OpH): DPMC-OpH-DCMP-OpH@forces.gc.ca.