Letter to Minister requesting an update on the independence of the Office
1 September 2022
The Honourable Anita Anand, P.C., M.P
Minister of National Defence
Department of National Defence
101 Colonel-By Drive
13th Floor, North Tower
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2
Dear Minister Anand,
On 22 June 2022, the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence released its report “Modernizing Recruitment and Retention in the Canadian Armed Forces.” The report contained 16 recommendations that aim to “accelerate culture change” within one of our most important institutions. In addition to important recommendations aimed at reforming recruitment and ensuring retention, the committee notably made the following recommendation:
Recommendation 16:
That the Government of Canada make the National Defence Ombudsman truly independent and report to Parliament rather than to the Minister of National Defence
As you are aware, since the inception of the Office of the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman in 1998, every Ombuds who has held the position, including myself, has recommended a similar course of action. My position paper released exactly one year prior to the release of this committee’s report outlines a path forward, including draft legislation, to make this a reality. I strongly believe that the Defence Community deserves no less.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requested that the government table a comprehensive response to their Report. Under the timelines prescribed by the Standing Order, the Government has until the middle of October to table a response. It is my sincere hope that the Government’s comprehensive response addresses each recommendation, including Recommendation 16, individually.
Minister Anand, since your appointment as Minister of National Defence, you have taken a strong leadership position and acted swiftly to address the complex issue of culture change within the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. It is under this context that I believe the time to address my Office’s independence is now.
I look forward to meeting with you in person to continue our discussion on a path forward to achieving independence for this office.
Sincerely,
Gregory A. Lick, CD
Ombudsman