The Canadian Forces Grievance Board Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

June 15, 2010


Minister MacKay with the Canadian Forces Grievance Board members and staff.

CFGB Red Shirt Walk/Run participants

The Canadian Forces Grievance Board (CFGB) officially marked its 10th anniversary by hosting a ceremony at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay, and many of the Board's partners within the military and government communities.

"In the name of all Canadians, I wish to thank the Board for the excellent work it has accomplished over the past ten years," said Minister MacKay. He noted the Board's important contribution to the military grievance system and wished its staff and members "another ten years of success."

Speaking about the Board's evolution since it began operations in 2000, the Chairperson, Bruno Hamel, noted that the CFGB faced the "particularly daunting task of building a civilian organization from scratch, while trying to understand the hierarchical, highly specialized and complex military environment."

Since then the Board "has become an established, mature and well respected organization, not only within the specialized conflict resolution community but also as a small governmental agency recognized for its management excellence," he added.

"The Board is now recognized as providing value-added to senior leadership, decision-makers, grievors and Canadian Forces members," said Mr. Hamel. He thanked "Board members and Board employees, former and current, who were able to break ground and had the drive to build an exemplary organization."

The Chairperson also expressed the Board's appreciation for the "unconditional support and trust of the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Forces (...) and for the constructive and collaborative relationships with the Board's partners and other entities, such as other administrative tribunals and Small Departments and Agencies."

Following his speech, the Chairperson cut the 10th anniversary cake with former Chairperson Diane Laurin, who headed the Board between 2004 and 2008 and was its vice-chairperson when it first began operations in 2000.

More than 75 people attended the event.


The Board Chairperson, Bruno Hamel, cutting the 10th anniversary cake with former Chairperson Diane Laurin.

The Board Chairperson, Bruno Hamel, cutting the 10th anniversary cake with former Chairperson Diane Laurin


The Minister of National Defence was greeted at the door by the Canadian Forces Grievance Board's Chairperson, Bruno Hamel (center) and the Board's Vice-Chairperson Jim Price (left).

The Minister of National Defence was greeted at the door by the Canadian Forces Grievance Board's Chairperson, Bruno Hamel (center) and the Board's Vice-Chairperson Jim Price (left)


Canadian Forces Grievance Board members and staff listen as the Board Chairperson addresses the group.

Canadian Forces Grievance Board members and staff listen as the Board Chairperson addresses the group

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