Mandate, Raison d’être, Mission, Vision, and Values

Mandate

The Military Grievances External Review Committee (MGERC) is an independent administrative tribunal reporting to Parliament through the Minister of National Defence.

The MGERC reviews military grievances referred to it pursuant to s. 29 of the National Defence Act and provides findings and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Canadian Armed Forces member who submitted the grievance.

Raison d’être

The raison d’être of the Military Grievances External Review Committee (Committee) is to provide an independent and external review of military grievances. Section 29 of the National Defence Act^{Endnote i} (NDA) provides a statutory right for an officer or a non-commissioned member who has been aggrieved, to grieve a decision, an act or an omission in the administration of the affairs of the Canadian Armed Forces. The importance of this broad right cannot be overstated since it is, with certain narrow exceptions, the only formal complaint process available to Canadian Armed Forces members.

Mission

To provide an independent and external review of military grievances to strengthen confidence in, and add to the fairness of, the Canadian Armed Forces grievance process.

Vision

The Military Grievances External Review Committee is a centre of expertise in the review of military grievances and a model administrative tribunal, through its fair and efficient processes, professionalism, and good governance.

Values

• Respect for democracy
  • The system of Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions are fundamental to serving the public interest. Public servants recognize that elected officials are accountable to Parliament, and ultimately to the Canadian people, and that a non-partisan public sector is essential to our democratic system.
• Respect for people
  • Treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness is fundamental to our relationship with the Canadian public and contributes to a safe and healthy work environment that promotes engagement, openness and transparency. The diversity of people and the ideas they generate are the wellspring of our spirit of innovation.
• Integrity
  • Integrity is the cornerstone of good governance and democracy. By upholding the highest ethical standards, public servants conserve and enhance public confidence in the honesty, fairness and objectivity of the federal public sector.
• Stewardship
  • Federal public servants are entrusted to use and care for public resources responsibly, for both the short-term and long-term.
• Excellence
  • Excellence in the design and delivery of public sector policy, programs and services is beneficial to every aspect of Canadian life. Positive engagement, collaboration, effective teamwork and professional development are all essential to a high-performing organization.
• Accountability
  • We adhere to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service and accept responsibility for our actions.