Interim Ombud – End of Mandate

Ombud Message | 30 June 2025

As my one-year appointment as Interim Ombud for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank the Defence community for the trust you’ve placed in me over the past year.

It has been an honour to serve in this role and to continue championing fairness, transparency, and accountability on behalf of current and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, Department of National Defence (DND) employees, Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces and their families. I’m pleased to share that I will be staying with the Ombudsman’s Office, continuing to support our mandate and the people we serve.

This past fiscal year, our team handled the highest volume of complaints in the 27 years this office was open. We also published five systemic investigation reports, and helped to drive meaningful change in areas such as compassionate postings, the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Programs, and complaint mechanisms.

Another achievement we’re especially proud of was the joint Ombud-CAF launch of the expanded Military Benefits Browser—a practical tool to help CAF members and their families better understand the benefits available to them throughout their military journey. We were also pleased to be recognized as subject matter experts—both nationally and internationally—on accountability, the principles of ombudsmanry, and the role independent oversight of military institutions plays in influencing positive change.

These results are a direct reflection of the extraordinary dedication, integrity, and professionalism of our staff. I could not have asked for a more capable or committed team, and I remain deeply grateful for their support throughout this transition.

Thank you as well to our partners and authorities across the DND/CAF for your collaboration, and to the broader Defence community for continuing to share your experiences and engage with our office. It’s a privilege to do this work, and I look forward to what we will achieve together in the years ahead.

I’m happy to welcome Mario Baril as the new Ombud. He brings a fresh perspective, a deep respect for the role, and a genuine eagerness to learn from and support the Defence community.

Thank you again for the trust, openness, and collaboration you’ve shown over the past year. It’s been a privilege to serve the Defence community and I’m looking forward to continuing this important work with all of you.

 

Robyn Hynes
Interim Ombud