Letter to Base Commander: Visit to CFB Borden

01 November 2022

 

Colonel Jonathan Michaud
Base Commander
CFB Borden
Department of National Defence and
The Canadian Armed Forces
PO Box 1000 Stn Main
Borden, ON L0M 1C0

 

Dear Colonel Michaud,

I wanted to convey my appreciation to you, Colonel Darryl Taylor, Chief Petty Officer Robert Wilcox, Commander Peter Antonew, and your respective teams for your hospitality and support throughout my visit at Canadian Armed Forces Base Borden from 26 to 29 September 2022. My team and I appreciated the opportunity to share information about our office and services, and to hear directly from members, civilian employees, and their families.

During my visit, I heard concerns and positive feedback from the CFB Borden Defence community – which I brought up during my out brief with you and the respective command teams on 29 September 2022. I am hopeful that raising these issues, which were familiar to you and your staff, will foster a collaborative spirit that will lead to enduring and positive change to members of the CAF and the Defense community. We are certainly ready to assist you as Commander and the Command Teams of CFB Borden in any of the matters detailed below.

The following are the main concerns I heard while in Borden:

Health and Mental Health

Many of the health care and mental health care challenges members face in Borden are similar to what we’ve heard at bases across the country: difficulty finding a family doctor, special needs services, and support for families of members with an operational stress injury.

We encouraged those members and their families facing compelling circumstances or any need for information or help to contact our office for assistance. We continue to strongly support the Seamless Canada initiative to improve services when CAF members and their families move to a different province or territory. We have a seat at this table, and are raising these important issues.

Borden Military Family Resource Centre

Members and families also expressed frustration with the Borden Military Family Resource Centre, and what they perceive as a lack of support and issues with governance. They mentioned that childcare programs have been cancelled, requiring them to set up networks of their own. This is causing increased stress on members and their families, which in turn, causes low morale. This issue of access to childcare and the role of the MFRC is one that is currently under discussion at the national level.

I continue to stress the importance of funding to support families with the Minister and the Chief of the Defence Staff. The funds required are small, relative to other defence spending, and when done appropriately, will go a long way to support members and their families. I received a lot of input on where funding would make the most difference, and will provide that feedback to the Minister and CDS.

Housing

Housing is another issue causing undue stress for members and their families. Limited access to Residential Housing Units (RHU) coupled with the high cost of housing in Borden makes this a very complex issue to resolve. Additionally, lower ranks felt that they were given lower priority for RHUs over senior ranks which was further exacerbating their financial concerns. Any clarity in communication of the priority process will always help this perception, though perhaps not eliminate it.

We also heard many concerns about relocation and the relocation agent, BGRS. The complaints are not unique to Borden. I reminded members to use the resources at their disposal: my office for compelling circumstances, and the Administrative Response Centre and Relocation Group in HQ (for future policy change). 

I enjoyed the opportunity to see for myself improvements made to the RHUs and to learn of your continued plans for improvements.

Sexual misconduct

We heard concerns from some members about the challenges faced by teams where an allegation of sexual misconduct has been made. Although I could not verify the situations discussed, members felt that the impact on the team was not appropriately considered or managed both during and after the investigation.

Many of the concerns mentioned in Borden echo complaints we have heard across Canada. Some of these issues will inform our upcoming systemic investigations, and will be discussed with the senior cadre within the DND/CAF.

I recognize that some challenges are outside your control. However, I encourage you to continue your ongoing efforts to address the concerns of the Defence community in Borden. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my office should you require assistance.

I was inspired to hear the passion from the CAF and civilian members alike for wanting to make the CFB Borden Defence community a better place for everyone. Continuing to bridge the relationship between CAF and civilian groups will greatly help going forward.

Once again, I thank you and your staff for your hospitality and assistance in coordinating and implementing a successful outreach visit.

Sincerely,

 

Gregory A. Lick
Ombudsman

cc:

Colonel D.L. Taylor, CD
Chief Petty Officer Wilcox
Commander Peter Antonew