Response from MND: Delay in response to OUTCAN Report
7 June 2021
Mr. Gregory Lick
National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
100 Metcalfe Street, 12th Floor
Ottawa ON K1P 5M1
Dear Mr. Lick: Thank you for your report entitled Engaged in the World: A systemic investigation into the administration of postings, assignments and employments of Defence Team personnel outside of Canada.
As stated previously, the independent mandate of your Office, in service to members and employees of the Defence Community, is important to me. It ensures that the advice you provide, including the findings and recommendations which flow from your reports, is done freely and outside military and civilian chains of command. The previous work from your Office on the retirement and disability benefits, as well as its contribution to the “seamless transition” initiative for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members under Strong, Secure, Engaged are notable examples of the quality of advice we have received.
Engaged in the World: A systemic investigation into the administration of postings, assignments and employments of Defence Team personnel outside of Canada highlights several key recommendations that aim to improve the level of support provided to our CAF members, Department of National Defence civilian employees, staff of the Non-Public funds, and their families who are posted outside Canada.
To that end, and given our unwavering commitment towards supporting our members and their families, we have tasked the Outside Canada (OUTCAN) Coordination and Support unit with the examination of the administration and support provided to personnel posted outside Canada. Their work, initiated upon reception of your report, levies the 13 recommendations and focuses on ways to improve the synchronization of the multiple organizations involved in managing the OUTCAN program. As a result, their activities will focus on improving synergy among involved organizations along with exploring areas such as the number of personnel required to administer the OUTCAN program, discrepancies between policies, improving communications and monitoring as well as ways to improve our emergency evacuation policies.
Since January 2021, the OUTCAN Coordination and Support unit has been the lead for developing and implementing the OUTCAN vaccination plan. The objective of this plan is to vaccinate all members and dependants currently posted OUTCAN as well as those posted from within Canada this Annual Posting Season (APS). In this timeframe, the OUTCAN Coordination and Support unit has also been intimately engaged in the emergency medical evacuation of a family that had fallen ill due to COVID-19.
Despite being focused on these COVID-19 related activities, the OUTCAN Coordination and Support unit has analyzed, mapped and functionally grouped all recommendations contained in your report. In addition, each recommendation has been allocated to a responsible office with actions due to commence in May 2021, with the forming of a working group that will meet quarterly until all the recommendations are addressed. While significant work remains to be completed, and progress has been slightly tempered due to competing priorities, I am pleased to report that progress is being made with a focus on the recommendations presenting the greatest concerns to our members and their dependants. For instance, we have advanced the drafting of the Emergency Management Directive as well as putting in place an air ambulance service to address the case of a dependant becoming critically ill due to COVID-19 (or other illness). Also, the reorganization of the Directorate of Education Management has increased communications between the OUTCAN community and children education assessment staff from Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
In the interest of ensuring that the recommendations of your report remains a priority focus, I have requested to be updated on a semi-annual basis on the progress being made by the OUTCAN team. Your report provides the basis to enhance synchronization among several stakeholders and creates an opportunity for further enhancements to administrative processes supporting our members and their families. In a context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to ensure that our collective efforts support their well-being.
Finally, I would appreciate your comments on this work plan that DND is implementing with respect to the OUTCAN report, as that feedback might assist the Department further in its efforts.
In closing, I thank you again for your report and for your continuing commitment to the members, employees, and families of the Defence Community.
Yours sincerely,
The Hon. Harjit S. Sajjan, PC, OMM, MSM, CD, MP