What's New: MGERC visits CFB Montreal/St-Jean

June 2-3, 2015

The MGERC delegation touring the 2nd Canadian Division

On June 2-3, 2015, a delegation from the Military Grievances External Review Committee (MGERC), headed by the Committee’s Chairperson, Bruno Hamel, visited Canadian Armed Forces Bases (CFB) Montreal/St-Jean. In addition to the Chairperson, the delegation included the part-time Vice-Chairperson Denis Brazeau, the part-time Committee member Allan Fenske, as well as the Team Leader Jean-Marc Béliveau and the Senior Grievance Officer Marc Pérusse.

The delegation toured, among other, the 2nd Canadian Division Support Group, the Royal Military College, the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Eastern), as well as the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School.

During the visit, the Committee held briefing sessions for senior base staff and the delegation met with various stakeholders involved in conflict resolution at the base. These briefings provided an opportunity to explain the independent role the MGERC plays in the military grievance process. It also allowed for direct exchanges about issues and concerns related to complaint resolution as well as trends identified by the Committee through its review of grievances.

Even though this was a relatively focused visit (limited number of units and personnel visited), the exchanges of information were excellent and the discussions open and well informed. Many of our interlocutors were familiar with the Committee’s work, our latest case summaries, as well as our publications such as the Annual Report, the Chairperson said. Several topics relevant to the Montreal/St-Jean area were discussed such as the Separation Expenses and we came to realize that, thanks to our communications strategy, past MGERC findings and recommendations on these subjects were prominent in the leaders mind; we are happy to see that our message is being heard, he added.

As an administrative tribunal independent from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Committee reviews military grievances referred to it by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and provides findings and recommendations to the CDS and the grievor.

The Committee makes periodic visits to CAF formations/units to learn about taskings and activities and to see, firsthand, CAF members in the environment in which they serve. In turn, the Committee holds briefings, both formal and informal, where all ranks are encouraged to participate in grievance related discussions.