Message from CRCN: Golf game with Lieutenant-General Rouleau and General (retired) Vance
June 29, 2021
As you all know, I recently played golf with Lieutenant-General Rouleau and General (retired) Vance. In making this decision, I thought only of my personal relationships and failed to think about it as a senior Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) leader, as the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), or from the perspective of those who have experienced sexual misconduct. I failed to recognize how this choice would affect victims, result in further erosion of trust, and affect the credibility of our institution. This was made worse under the current circumstances as many would find it profoundly distressing that those I lead would not be at the forefront of my mind. For this I deeply apologize.
Over the last while, many individuals have generously shared with me the effects of my actions and how it evoked feelings of disappointment and anger, frustration and confusion, and resigned disappointment. This deepened my understanding of the impact of my actions. I profoundly regret that I was the cause of this harm.
For those of you that wonder about how I could have had such a blind spot, I may be tempted to give you an explanation, but the fact is that I made a profound mistake and hurt many people along the way. No explanation can justify that. As an institutional leader who needed to safeguard all members of the team, I failed to consider that this would signal that they are not being listened to and not being heard.
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In addition to continuing to learn, I intend to apply these lessons to promote inclusive leadership within the RCN and CAF. I will work to make this moment an inflection point in addressing root causes and healing hurt accumulated over many years. I want it to be safe to speak up and address the institutional and systemic factors that have permitted sexual misconduct to persist. I will work diligently to better support victims and create a safe and positive work environment for everyone within the RCN and CAF.
Before all this occurred, I was a passionate advocate for change within our organization. This has not changed, although recent events have humbled me and helped me to understand in a deeper manner our biases and problems related to the management of misconduct. My commitment to change and a safe, respectful workplace endures. I am recommitted to fighting to ensure that voices can be raised, listened to, and that change is manifested in such a way that we can all be proud to serve and an inspiration to others.
Our operational effectiveness depends on the necessity to learn, adapt, and evolve. My actions have been a set-back, and I am grateful that I will have the opportunity to atone for my mistake. To the members of the RCN, I look forward to getting the chance to meet with you personally in the days ahead so that I can hear directly from you, and respond to your challenging questions and legitimate concerns as they arise.
Vice-Admiral Craig Baines
Commander Royal Canadian Navy