May 13, 2015
“I was disappointed to see the recent media reports on the actions we are taking to respond to the issue of inappropriate sexual behaviour in the Canadian Armed Forces. We clearly recognize the seriousness of this issue, and are committed to responding to it. This is why I ordered an internal review into our policies and procedures last spring, and it is why I further commissioned Madame Deschamps to undertake her external examination.
“Even before her final report was received, we took the proactive measure to stand-up a dedicated team, led by Major-General Chris Whitecross, to examine the final report, and to develop an action plan to respond to it. The directive I issued for this included planning assumptions, provided to MGen Whitecross to guide her work. These planning assumptions should in no way be viewed as restrictions or orders for her to ignore the recommendations of the final report. Any such suggestion is quite simply false.
“The salient point is not what considerations went into the stand-up of our response team, rather it is the Action Plan that they developed to respond to this issue. This Action Plan, as endorsed by our senior leadership and released publically, clearly accepts all of the recommendations made by Madame Deschamps, either outright or in principle. Major-General Chris Whitecross and her team are now actively examining options for how to best achieve the intent of each of these recommendations.
“There has been much discussion on the issue of Madame Deschamps’ recommendation to establish a ‘Centre of Accountability’ which is separate from the chain of command. Her report suggested that we examine models for this such as those used by the militaries of Australia, France or the United States.
“To be absolutely clear, we have accepted this recommendation in principle, and Major-General Whitecross is now actively examining these models to develop recommendations for what will be the best fit in Canada. This might mean, for example, something that draws from the Australian model, which empowers victims, but also strengthens the chain of command's ability to lead and care for the well-being of its members, and reports regularly to their Chief of the Defence Force through the Chiefs of Service Committee. We are also looking at the US system, which is led by a two-star general who reports to an under-secretary of defense.
“While we are ultimately uncertain which model will be the best fit for Canada, and therefore how we will implement this recommendation, we fully recognize the need to have a centre which is independent of undue influence from the chain of command.
“Our response to this issue has been clear, and we will remain resolute in our commitment to addressing it. Inappropriate sexual behaviour has no place in today’s Canadian Armed Forces, and we will take strong steps to initiate positive change.”
General Tom Lawson
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United States Department of Defense, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office: http://www.sapr.mil/index.php
Australian Department of Defence, Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office: http://www.defence.gov.au/sempro/Default.asp
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
