“Diversity is a source of strength and flexibility for the Canadian Armed Forces, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that we remain strong, innovative and forward-looking. We are proud that we reflect the society that we serve both at home and on international operations. Indeed, we could not have achieved the success that we did in Afghanistan, Haiti and elsewhere without the contribution of our diverse members, including women.
“As of April 2015, there are nearly 14,000 women amongst the CAF’s Regular and Primary Reserve Force population, which represent 15 percent of the CAF. We are striving to increase that percentage further with focused advertising, accelerated processing of applications, senior leader diversity champions, and research to inform our policies and practices. Our advertising campaigns continue to highlight opportunities for women, and play a significant role in enabling the CAF to achieve its recruiting objectives.
“On the issue of female recruitment goals for the CAF, there is no directive to reduce them, and the Chief of the Defence Staff has not agreed to any reduction. Officials within the CAF are in consultations with the Labour Program (Employment and Social Development Canada) and the Canadian Human Rights Commission to ensure that our goals are realistic, achievable and sustainable.
“Canada ranks among the top of NATO countries, and is in very good standing among its allies in terms of representing women within its ranks, and permits women to serve in all occupations in the CAF. On her recent visit to Canada, Ambassador Marriët Schuurman, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security praised the CAF for being a leader in the achieving its current number of women in the military as well as providing unlimited opportunities for their service.”
Lieutenant-General David B. Millar
Chief of Military Personnel
National Defence Headquarters
