Scenario: Difficult to Believe

Group Size: 4-15

Scenario

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Aquino was getting ready to leave to go to a unit traditional ceremony when he noticed a light still on in the corner. It seemed to belong to Petty Officer, 2nd Class (PO 2) Taggart who had recently been posted to the unit.

“Why aren’t you with the others at the gathering?” inquired MWO Aquino. “Is there a problem?”

“It’s not my thing,” replied PO2 Taggart.

“This ceremony is very important for the unity of the troops,” said MWO Aquino, to appeal to the PO 2’s sense of camaraderie and group cohesion. “You may one day go into combat together and this ceremony is a blessing in preparation for that.”

“I guess I just don’t believe in what they are doing,” PO2 Taggart responded. “I’m not a religious person and have a hard time participating in these kinds of activities.”

As Taggart tried to explain, they realised that the MWO’s face had changed colour. “So that’s the way it’s going to be with you, eh?” said MWO Aquino in a very different tone of voice. “Look, I know you’re new to the unit, so I’ll try to cut you some slack. We run a tight ship around here, and that means that everyone sticks together, whether we agree about things or not. It can mean a matter of life or death in the field. So, if I were you, I’d hop to it and join the others.”

“Look,” said PO2 Taggart, “it doesn’t make any sense to force me to participate in a religious activity when I am not religious myself. You know what, there are others that have told me they feel the same way but went to the ceremony anyway - I think they’re hypocrites. Frankly, I think it’s time we update some of our traditions to reflect the diversity of our forces today.”

Categories

• Principles: Respect the Dignity of all Persons
• Values: Integrity, Loyalty
• Cultural themes: Teamwork
• Misconduct types: Discrimination
• GBA Plus themes: Religion
• Audience: Canadian Armed Forces

Facilitator’s Guide

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the ethical principle of “Respect the Dignity of all Persons” in the workplace.  
• Discuss how the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) accommodates the freedom of religion and freedom of conscience with reference to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the workplace.

Facilitation Questions

1. What is the problem in this scenario? Open group discussion. 
2. What considerations are at play with respect to Defence Ethics and the CAF ethos? 
   • Open group discussion. 
   • Discuss the ethical principle of “Respect the Dignity of all Persons” in the workplace. 
   • Discuss the ethical values of integrity and loyalty in this scenario.
3. How has the CAF adapted to changing societal realities with reference to issues such as the freedom of religion when it comes to military traditions?   
   • Under the Charter, everyone is guaranteed the freedoms of conscience and religion. 
   • Military traditions in the CAF exist for various reasons. However, from time to time, some of these traditions need to be revisited as society changes and evolves. We need to consider various points of view and accept that not everyone is going to participate. Providing accommodation to military members who do not hold religious beliefs is an example of how the CAF adapts to changing societal realities. Moreover, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has imposed on the CAF a duty to accommodate all military personnel, to the extent possible, based on freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. 
   • If you are unsure of what is required or permitted in specific circumstances involving matters of faith, you could consult staff from the CAF Chaplain Branch. In addition, if you believe you have been discriminated against or harassed because of your personal or religious beliefs, you may wish to bring the matter to the attention of your chain of command or to file a formal grievance.  
4. Can MWO Aquino force PO2 Taggart to attend the unit tradition ceremony, based on what they have said about their personal beliefs and based on the fact that it is a unit team-building ceremony? What courses of action should be taken in this scenario by MWO Aquino and by PO2 Taggart? Why? Open group discussion.
   • Despite MWO Aquino’s understandable desire for group cohesion, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms does, indeed, guarantee the rights and freedoms set out in it, subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.  
   • CAF regulations also support the PO’s decision to refuse to attend the religious ceremony. (reference QR&O chapter 33.01)
5. Putting ourselves in PO2 Taggarts shoes, how does this type of intimidation and force religious activity make you feel?
   • Even if it is illegal to make Taggart go, how do you think the team and MWO Aquino will treat Taggart moving forward?  Who could Taggart reach out to for support during this time?
6. Why do you think religious events are still integrated and normalized in Defence Team Culture? Why do you think this needs to change?
   • Canada is an incredibly diverse nation, where many religions, beliefs, cultures, and practices are accepted and welcome. Canada also has a separation of church and state. To increase recruitment and retention within the CAF, we need to have events and practices where all members feel seen and included, and do not have to compromise their beliefs to do so.