5516-0 Human Rights

Cadets and Junior Canadian Ranger Group Order (CJCR Gp O)

1. Introduction

• Date of Issue: 2025-06-18
• Date of Last Modification: n/a
• Application: This order applies to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and is a directive that applies to Civilian Instructors, CJCR Gp volunteers, employees of the Department of National Defence employed within the Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Group, and cadets registered in the Cadet Program.
• Supersession: N/A
• Approval Authorities: This order is issued under the authority of the Commander Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group.
• Office of Primary Interest: Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Chief of Staff
• Enquiries: Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Professional Conduct and Culture Advisor

2. Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Complete Word or Phrase
CAF	Canadian Armed Forces
CHRA	Canadian Human Rights Act
CHRC	Canadian Human Rights Commission
CI	Civilian Instructor
CJCR Gp	Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group
CJCR Gp O	Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order
CoC	Chain of Command
DAOD	Defense Administrative Orders and Directives
DND	Department of National Defence

3. Definitions

Discrimination.

Discrimination is an action, behaviour, decision, or omission that treats a person or a group of people unfairly and badly for reasons linked to personal traits, such as their race, age or disability. These reasons, also called grounds, are protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act

Discriminatory Practice.

For greater certainty, a discriminatory practice includes a practice based on one or more prohibited grounds of discrimination, as listed in 3.1 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, or on the effect of a combination of prohibited grounds.

4. Policy

Context

• 4.1 The CJCR Gp is committed to providing a healthy, positive and inclusive environment for all CAF members, DND employees, CIs, CJCR Gp Volunteers, and cadets, that is free from discrimination and aligned to the CHRA. Discrimination erodes trust, cohesion, morale, mutual confidence, and respect of individuals and may lead to a toxic culture.
• 4.2 The CHRA protects people in Canada from discrimination and enforces the principle of equal opportunity by law. A practice that discriminates based on a prohibited ground as listed in section three of the CHRA may result in a complaint under the legislation. The prohibited grounds set out in section three of the CHRA are:
  1. race;
  2. national or ethnic origin;
  3. colour;
  4. religion;
  5. age;
  6. sex (including pregnancy and childbirth);
  7. sexual orientation;
  8. gender identity or expression;
  9. marital status;
  10. family status;
  11. genetic characteristics;
  12. disability (mental or physical); and
  13. conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.
• 4.3 Discrimination may be intentional or unintentional. Even rules, practices and procedures that seem harmless can cause discrimination if they have the effect of putting certain groups of people at a disadvantage.
• 4.4 Discrimination can be out in the open, which is called direct discrimination. This discrimination is often based on negative attitudes and biases. Discrimination can also be hidden, or indirect discrimination. Indirect discrimination happens when a rule or policy that does not cause a problem for most people has an unfair effect on a person or group that is related to their personal traits.
• 4.5 CJCR Gp is committed to:
  1. ensuring CAF members, DND employees, CIs, CJCR Gp Volunteers, and cadets are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity;
  2. providing an environment that is free from discriminatory practices that are prohibited by the CHRA; and
  3. respecting the rights of all persons that are protected under the CHRA.
• 4.6 The responsibilities of CAF members and DND employees are further detailed in DAOD 5516-0, Human Rights and DAOD 5516-1, Human Rights Complaints.

Requirements

• 4.7 CJCR Gp will:
  1. promote the principles of the CHRA;
  2. inform CAF members, DND employees, CIs, CJCR Gp Volunteers and cadets of their rights and obligations under the CHRA, and of behaviour that constitutes discrimination; and
  3. provide leaders, managers and supervisors with guidance and support to enable them to carry out their responsibilities in preventing discriminatory practices and responding to complaints in accordance with all applicable policies and regulations.

5. Responding to a Discrimination Complaint

• 5.1 The Comd CJCR Gp is the primary point of contact at CJCR Gp for all complaints made under the CHRA that are filed against the CJCR Gp.
• 5.2 Human rights complaints must be processed in accordance with strict timelines. The CJCR Gp will take timely and effective action, in accordance with timelines established by CHRA and CAF/DND, to respond to complaints of prohibited discriminatory practices that are reported through the CoC or the CHRC relating to the Cadet Program.

CAF Members

• 5.3 The CJCR Gp CoC will take appropriate action if a CAF member is suspected of actions or inaction that constitute discriminatory practices prohibited by the CHRA in accordance with:
  1. DAOD 5516-1, Human Rights Complaints;
  2. DAOD 5019-0, Conduct and Performance Deficiencies;
  3. DAOD 9005-1, Sexual Misconduct Response;
  4. DAOD 5014-0, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention;
  5. CF Mil Pers Instr 01/20, Hateful Conduct; and
  6. CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct.

DND Employees

• 5.4 The CJCR Gp CoC will take appropriate action if a DND employee is suspected of actions or inaction that constitute discriminatory practices prohibited by the CHRA, in accordance with:
  1. DAOD 5516-1, Human Rights Complaints;
  2. DAOD 5014-0, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention; and
  3. DAOD 5016-0, Standards of Civilian Conduct and Discipline.

CIs

• 5.5 The CJCR Gp CoC will take appropriate action if a CI is suspected of actions or inaction that constitute discriminatory practices prohibited by the CHRA, in accordance with:
  1. CJCR Gp O 5530-1, Civilian Instructor Management; and
  2. CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct.

CJCR Gp Volunteers

• 5.6 The CJCR Gp CoC will take appropriate action if a CJCR Gp volunteer is suspected of actions or inaction that constitute discriminatory practices prohibited by the CHRA, in accordance with:
  1. CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct.

Cadets

• 5.7 The CJCR Gp CoC will take appropriate action if a cadet is suspected of actions or inaction that constitute discriminatory practices prohibited by the CHRA, in accordance with:
  1. CJCR Gp O 5019-3, Conduct and Performance Interventions – Cadets;
  2. CJCR Gp Instruction 50-55, Conduct and Performance Intervention Procedures – Cadets; and
  3. CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct.

6. Publication

Frequency of Publication

• 6.1 A periodic review of CJCR Gp Os will be initiated every three years, or more frequently if necessary.

Errors/Omissions or Suggestions

• 6.2 Users of CJCR Gp Os are encouraged to identify any errors, omissions or suggested orders to the attention of CJCRPol-PolCRJC@forces.gc.ca.

7. References

Source References

• Canadian Human Rights Act
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Federal Public Service Labour Relations Act
• QR&O Chapter 7, Grievances
• DAOD 5014-0, Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention
• DAOD 5016-0, Standards of Civilian Conduct and Discipline
• DAOD 5019-0, Conduct and Performance Deficiencies
• DAOD 5516-0, Human Rights
• DAOD 5516-1, Human Rights Complaints
• DAOD 9005-1, Sexual Misconduct Response,
• CF Mil Pers Instruction 01/20, Hateful Conduct (You are now leaving Canada.ca. Link accessible only on the DWAN)
• DAOD 7023-1, Defence Ethics Programme

Related References

• CJCR Gp Order 5019-3, Conduct and Performance Interventions - Cadets
• CJCR Gp O 5019-6, Codes of Conduct
• CJCR Gp Order 5530-1, Civilian Instructor Management
• CJCR Gp Instruction 50-55, Conduct and Performance Intervention Procedures – Cadets