About the External Advisory Council on Sexual Misconduct

Mr. Humberto Carolo is the Executive Director of White Ribbon Canada, and a former co-chair and current member of the MenEngage Alliance.

He is a men-and-masculinities and gender-based violence prevention expert with 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. He has extensive cross-cultural experience in developing and overseeing large-scale, multi-national programs and strategies involving diverse stakeholders in numerous sectors. Currently, Mr. Carolo is focusing on developing educational strategies to engage men and boys in promoting gender equality, healthy masculinities and preventing gender-based violence.

This includes strategic program development and evaluation at local and international levels, research, technical assistance and capacity building, resource and campaign development, and fostering new partnerships. He has developed and implemented training programs for male-dominated sectors including natural resources extraction, sports, and armed forces.

He has delivered high-level workplace gender equity and sexual harassment prevention training to the United Nations (UN) Department of General Assembly and Conference Management, UN Women, UNESCO, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Trade Organization.

Ms. Kathy Darte has a longstanding career with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) in healthcare and war-related disability. She is one of the original members of the VAC-Canadian Forces Project implemented in 1999 to improve services for Canadian Forces clients and their families. From 2001 to 2010, she was the VAC Manager of the innovative joint VAC-Department of National Defence Operational Stress Injury Social Support peer support program for veterans and former CAF members.

Today, this program is internationally recognized. In 2010, with Ms. Darte as Manager of Mental Health Partnerships, VAC developed partnerships with organizations such as the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association and federal organizations such as Correctional Services Canada. In 2012, Ms. Darte worked with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to advance its goal of determining the extent and nature of veteran homelessness.

She was the VAC lead on a joint pilot project with ESDC that provided housing, support services, access to mental health and addictions treatment, and peer support for homeless veterans. Her recommendations on gaps in service advanced initiatives to improve support to homeless veterans and veterans in crisis. Ms. Darte’s “hands-on” approach is marked by her warmth and professionalism.

She holds Bachelor and Masters of Nursing degrees from Dalhousie University and a Diploma in Health Care Quality Improvement from the University of Helsinki.

VAdm (retd) Greg Maddison served on the Board of Directors of Canada Steamship Lines Inc. (CSL) in 2005 to 2019 and Chaired their Human Resource Committee from 2010 to 2019. He had general strategic responsibilities and specific functions related to corporate ethics, governance, security, and sustainable development, and brings an understanding of how the corporate sector addresses sexual misconduct in the workplace.

VAdm (retd) Maddison was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for 37 years before joining CSL, rising in the ranks from Executive Officer to Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, a position he held from 2001 to 2005.

He served as a Senior Mentor with the National Security Program from 2008 to 2018, served on the NATO Senior Steering Group from 2010 to 2014 and as leader of the Royal Military College (RMC) Special Staff Assistance Visit Group from 2016 to 2017 that examined the existing culture experienced by Officer Cadets at RMC.

VAdm (retd) Maddison has a Bachelor of Engineering and Management and an Honorary Doctorate from RMC and has received numerous medals and commendations from the Armed Forces.

Ms. Martine Roy is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the LGBT Purge Fund, a not-for-profit organization that manages the fund received following the LGBT Purge Class Action Lawsuit against the Government of Canada.

Ms. Roy worked for 20 years at IBM, where she held positions as Critical Resolution Coordinator and Account Manager. At IBM, she established resource groups to support 2SLGBTQI+ employees and was deeply involved in raising staff and management awareness of LGBT issues. Ms. Roy is passionate about promoting an inclusive workplace.

She now serves as the Regional Director of Business Development LGBTQ2 + Quebec & Eastern Canada for TD Bank. Once again, Ms. Roy has taken up this new role with passion. A deeply committed activist for the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ people, she has a heart for both her work and for business. Ms. Roy was dismissed from the Canadian Armed Forces for her sexual orientation at the age of 19—a survivor of the “LGBT Purge.”

She was instrumental in bringing the class action lawsuit against the Government of Canada that culminated with an apology from the Prime Minister in 2017. Ms. Roy sat on the Toronto-based Pride at Work Canada’s Board of Directors for 10 years, one of its eight co-founders. She also served as the Chair of Fondation Émergence until 2015. In 2023, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her advocacy for diversity, inclusion and equity.

Christine Wood (Bolan) is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. She served as a reservist in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Logistics Officer from 2010-2014 at 22 Wing. A service-related sexual assault in 2011 led to a diagnosis of PTSD and a progressive decline in her health.

Christine medically released from the CAF in 2014. She began advocating for those impacted by military sexual trauma (MST) after joining the peer support group ItsJust700 (a former national platform for members of the CAF who experienced MST) in 2016.

As the Coordinator of Strategic Involvement for the group, Christine participated in stakeholder consultations with senior government officials, and over the years has provided testimony to the House of Commons and the Senate on multiple occasions. Christine spoke forcefully before the Federal Court of Canada in 2019 as the Heyder-Beattie class action lawsuit was settled.

She was subsequently named as a class action representative for the “Schedule O” Gender and Diversity group that was mandated by the final settlement agreement and worked to address the CAF’s failure to increase the recruitment and retention of women.

Christine has proudly served as a stakeholder representative on the Office of the Veterans Ombud Board from 2018-2020. Christine has been a panelist at national and international events to share lessons learned from the class action lawsuit as well as her own personal experience with MST.

She continues to advocate for more resources to address the ongoing and unmet needs of the MST community. Christine was selected as one of Canada’s Top 20 Women in Defence by Esprit de Corps magazine in 2024. She received her BA in political science from the University of Western Ontario in 2009. Christine is a proud military spouse and a mother of two. She lives in Ottawa.

The External Advisory Council (the Council) has been established to provide the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre with a mechanism to draw upon the expertise, knowledge and lived experience of independent subject matter experts and leaders within Canada’s private and public sectors, to help inform its initiatives and expert advice related to sexual misconduct.

The role and duty of the Council are to provide empirically, clinically, and experientially informed advice and recommendations to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) on key issues related to DND/CAF sexual misconduct.

To fulfill this role, the Council will review and advise on SMSRC efforts and activities to:

• provide expert advice and help inform initiatives related to sexual misconduct and improve programs, policies and practices
• encourage and enhance transparency
• enhance support services, care and advocacy for individuals impacted by sexual misconduct
• increase understanding and awareness of sexual misconduct in DND/CAF
• other issues or topics related to sexual misconduct

The SMSRC will provide briefings and documentation to the Council in a timely manner thereby ensuring their meaningful input prior to the implementation or adoption of any regulations, guidelines, policies, programs, or resources for which the Council’s advice is sought.

The Council will serve in an advisory capacity only. The Council has no authority over the operations of the SMSRC. The Council will be asked to provide independent, impartial, third-party advice, collectively or individually, on issues pertaining to sexual misconduct.

The Council will be asked to review, advise, and comment on specific proposals, plans, initiatives, and programs in relation to sexual misconduct.

The Council may be requested to establish connections between the SMSRC with other agencies, subject matter experts, or practitioners who could be of assistance based on the review of specific SMSRC proposals, plans, initiatives, or programs related to sexual misconduct.

The maximum number of Council positions is eight (8).

Council positions are drawn through public expressions of interest relayed to the SMSRC. Positions are from private and public sector agencies or organizations outside of DND/CAF and will be selected based on their experience, knowledge, expertise, and ability to provide advice concerning initiatives and issues related to sexual misconduct.

Council positions dedicated to individuals selected based on their expertise or experience in specific topics related to sexual misconduct will be approved by the COO on behalf of the Deputy Minister. The term is three (3) years, with the possibility of extension. However, for those joining as affected community members, the term is two (2) years to encourage more council participation.

Based on the requirements of the Council, a Chair may be appointed to liaise with the SMSRC and facilitate the Council’s sessions. The Chair will serve in that position for a three-year term, with the possibility of extension. Alternatively, if there is no Chair, this function may be assumed by the SMSRC or Council advisors on a case-by-case basis.

As specific areas of interest emerge, the COO may invite additional subject matter experts to join Council meetings as guests, without permanently occupying a Council position.

The Council is required to disclose any potential conflict of interest to the appropriate authorities within DND prior to assuming their roles on the Council in order for DND to assess whether the actual or potential conflict may impair, or be seen to impair, the Council member’s ability to discharge his or her duties as an independent, impartial, third-party advisor. The Council agrees that they will not use information obtained during their participation on the Council for personal gain, to benefit any organization with which they are affiliated, or to assist other entities or persons in their dealings with the Government of Canada. The Council agrees to recuse themselves from any discussion in respect of which they may be perceived to be in a real or perceived conflict of interest. They further agree to inform DND of any new appointments, interests, or activities if issues arise over which a future conflict of interest could emerge.

The Council is required to inform and seek approval from the COO before appearing publicly in their official role as a member of the EAC, to maintain transparency with SMSRC as they are serving as representatives of the DND/CAF.

If a Council advisor can no longer fulfill their role, they must advise the COO and the SMSRC as soon as possible.

The Council must maintain the confidentiality of all information provided to them by, or on behalf of, the Government of Canada in connection with their duties on the Council. This includes information that is confidential or proprietary to third parties.

The Council must not disclose any information concerning the Council without the written permission of the Government of Canada.

The Council agrees to use any information provided to them by, or on behalf of, the Government of Canada only for the purpose of fulfilling the terms of reference of the Council. The Council acknowledges that all this information remains the property of the Government of Canada or the third party. The Council must deliver to the Government of Canada all such information, together with all copies, drafts, working papers and notes that contain such information, upon completion or termination of their participation on the Council, or upon request at such an earlier time as Canada may require.

Individuals must agree to and sign a Volunteer Service Agreement, as well as adhere to its clauses.

Individuals on council are expected to act in accordance with the Terms of Reference and the SMSRC Collaborative Engagement Principles as outlined in Annex A.

The Council will meet at the request of the COO. Meetings will be held four to six times annually, with sessions lasting approximately two to three hours. Additionally, there is a requirement for at least one in-person meeting spanning two days. Attendance at these meetings is considered mandatory. Remote ad hoc meetings may be convened at the discretion of the COO; participation for ad hoc meetings may be voluntary, and attendance will be based on the subject matter expertise of council advisors.

In person meetings will primarily be scheduled in the National Capital Region, but locations may vary if needed. The Council will be asked in advance to submit their preferred meeting dates through mechanisms provided by the SMSRC.

The SMSRC will maintain a forward agenda of issues of interest identified by the Council and COO. The final selection of meeting agendas will be determined by the COO, in collaboration with the Executive Office, and in consultation with the Council when necessary.

The SMSRC will circulate background materials to be considered at a Council meeting at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting.

Advice from the Council is in the form of written and verbal recommendations. The Council is encouraged to reach consensus in providing advice whenever possible. When consensus is not possible, the record of discussion will reflect the different opinions and the number of Council individuals supporting each opinion.

A record of discussion and recommendations will be completed within four weeks of each meeting and will be sent to the Council for review. The records of discussion may also be used to form the basis for any reports requested by the Deputy Minister.

The COO and SMSRC will take the Council’s advice into consideration in developing guidance and recommendations to the CAF to help inform initiatives and items related to sexual misconduct. Updates on the outcomes and effects of the Council’s recommendations will be provided to the Council when applicable.

Meeting agendas, records of discussion, council recommendations as well as their outcomes and effects may be made accessible to the public upon request and could also be published online.

In addition to advice in the form of consensus recommendations, the COO may seek input from the Council secretarially on new or existing SMSRC programs or initiatives. In such cases, the Council may provide input individually to be collated and considered by the relevant authority or program leads. Where possible, the SMSRC will inform the EAC of the impact of their input.

The Council will be reimbursed for standard expenses incurred in relation to the execution of their duties in support of the Council during in-person meetings. Standard expenses include meals, travel, and accommodation in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive.

Council participants, including SMSRC staff and EAC members are invited to communicate with each other in the official language of their choice.

The EAC terms of reference will be reviewed every three years, or earlier as necessary.

Administrative support required for the Council will be provided through the SMSRC.

The SMSRC understands that ongoing communication, listening, collaboration, inclusion and respect are crucial to the success of the External Advisory Council.

We invite you to review the collaborative engagement principles listed below and reflect on how they can help contribute to safe and respectful engagements. SMSRC staff engaging with the Council also commit to doing so in a way that reflects the principles below.

Inclusive Language: Use language that respects diverse identities and backgrounds.

Inclusive Environment: Contribute to an environment where it could feel safe for everyone to be open, share, and discuss challenges without fear of judgment.

Appreciation of Differences: Embrace the fact that different perspectives can positively influence our engagements.

Shared Learning: View discussions as opportunities for mutual growth and learning, valuing the knowledge and insights each participant brings to the table.

Positive Intent: Assume positive intent, giving others the benefit of the doubt and reframing misunderstandings as opportunities for clarification.

Mutual Support: Actively support one another, offering encouragement and acknowledging each other’s efforts to engage in meaningful engagements.

Conflict Transformation: Approach conflicts as chances to learn and improve, seeking to transform disagreements into productive conversations that lead to resolution.

Balanced Sharing: Strive to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to contribute, encouraging quieter voices while appreciating the insights of more vocal participants.

Privacy and Confidentiality: Respect and maintain the confidentiality of all participants, materials, and discussion.