Letter to Commandant: Visit to RMC Saint-Jean

11 June 2024

 

Colonel Guillaume Tremblay
Commandant
Royal Military College Saint-Jean
PO Box 100, Stn Bureau-Chef
Richelain, QC J0J 1R0

 

Dear Colonel Tremblay:

I would like to thank you, your team and the NCdts/OCdts for the warm hospitality during my visit to the Royal Military College (RMC) Saint-Jean and the Osside Institute on 13 to 14 May 2024. My team and I appreciated the opportunity to share information about our office and to hear directly from aspiring young officers, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, faculty, and civilian employees. We had the occasion to listen to successes and concerns which allowed us to better understand the issues faced by those enrolled and employed at RMC Saint-Jean.

I am writing to expand on the out-brief we had with you and your team on 14 May 2024. The following points will provide a summary of positive feedback and concerns noted during our interactions with the members of the RMC community and the Osside Institute:

Communications regarding benefits

During our visit, several inquiries concerning benefits were raised. One query pertained to rations and quarters (R&Q), which you were already informed about, while another focused on the potential eligibility for travel benefits this summer for On-the-Job Employment (OJE) for NCdts/OCdts. In both instances, there appears to be a communication gap. I would like to reiterate that clear communication is crucial in preventing dissatisfaction or misinterpretation of policy.

Budgetary Issues and degradation of quality of education

As heard during our visit to Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, budgetary cutbacks have affected Temporary Duty (TD) assignments for both students and faculty, thereby diminishing the quality of the educational experience at RMC Saint-Jean. While I understand these issues stem from funding reductions, they can significantly impact retention and the quality of the Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) education at RMC Saint-Jean.

Relocations and associated benefits

I have heard from various sources across Canada that the benefits associated with relocations are insufficient. The requirement to relocate regularly has been reported as a significant dissatisfier, impacting members financially and contributing to attrition. I have publicly expressed my concern regarding the cost of living affecting CAF members, as well as the lack of affordable housing, which further complicates relocations.

Civilian Classifications and Pay

I have heard concerns regarding delays in processing requests for civilian reclassifications and noted that it was felt that Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) employees within the Department of National Defence (DND) are paid less than their counterparts in other government departments. These issues are exacerbated by the frequent changes in CAF supervisors. I encouraged those affected to seek guidance from our office.

I urge you to address the aforementioned concerns within your area of influence. Our office is not only a resource of last resort but also a primary point of contact, equipped with information and resources to assist the Defence community. While the points raised highlight potential issues, I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the positive experiences I observed during my visit.

Highlights

I would like to express my appreciation for the exceptional support provided by Captain Simon Theriault. Similarly, the tour of the Fort Saint-Jean Museum provided by Maryse Bédard was fascinating.

The pride that NCdts/OCdts showed in your institution was impressive. They expressed great satisfaction in the quality of the food. The accommodations that we were shown were first-rate. We were impressed by your academic facilities, library, recreational hall, dormitories, and gymnasium. This visit clearly demonstrated the wide range of resources available to students for studying, staying fit and healthy, and relaxing. 

Overall, my team and I believe that this visit was a resounding success. Having the opportunity to explain how our office supports the Defence community and hearing from the leaders of tomorrow can only be described as a win-win scenario. We hope to be able to repeat such visits in a minimum four-year cycle to allow the same advantage to the next generation of future leaders before they join their first operational ships, units, or Wings.

Once again, thank you and your team for taking time out of your busy schedules to make this outreach successful.

Sincerely,

 

Gregory A. Lick

Ombudsman

 

c.c. Lieutenant-General M.H.L. Bourgon, Acting Chief Military Personnel

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandre Boisvert-Novak, Commandant, Osside Institute