Musings about the current deepening crisis in morale and leadership in the Canadian military over issues of sexual misconduct

SITUATION

Both the former and current Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) are facing continuing media attention in relation to allegations of sexual misconduct. The recently retired CDS,  General Jonathan Vance, is currently under investigation concerning allegations of inappropriate behaviour during his military service made by two females subordinates. His replacement, Admiral Art McDonald, who prior to his appointment as acted as the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy was also recently suspended from his duties amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.  Latterly, reports surfaced that the Commander of Military Personnel Command, Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, was subject of allegations of inappropriate behaviour with females subordinates in the late 1990s.  

Then earlier March, in an unrelated matter, the Minister of National Defence suddenly announced the appointment of a new Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. The new appointee would be the eighth general officer to serve in that important and prestigious position since 2016. 

Obviously, such turbulence in the executive-level leadership can only lead to potential instability in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) organisation and have a corresponding impact upon the rank and file.

DÉROUTE

To quote a Monte Carlo Casino’s call to order, at present “Rien ne vas plus!” in the  Canadian military.

In my estimation, the morale of the rank and file is near or below the water line.  Already, some senior serving officers, at the major and lieutenant-colonel rank levels no less, have already publicly expressed their clear and strong frustration.  

However, so far, their political masters have remained aloof from all of this, leaving it to play out.

On the other hand, opposition parties, in what is currently a minority Parliament ,are taking the lead by throwing a strong spotlight on the issues. As a result, negative media reports abound. All of it, amounting to a sorry spectacle in search of a political solution. 

Truth be told, all this is bound to have a lasting impact on the recruiting and retention goals of the military and its reputation. Action is required.

REQUIRED URGENT CHANGES

What is required in order to provide the rank and file respect, pride and confidence in the higher echelons of the military hierarchy as well as the assurances that sexual misconduct will be successfully tackled once and for all?

In my opinion, Canada needs to put in place on a priority basis the means to exercise the following: a) political leadership; b) true civilian control; and c) robust institutional oversight over the military. At present, all of this is seriously lacking.

How do we get from here to there? From my perspective, four decisive actions need be done on an urgent basis.

 

1. Make a real change of leadership. 
• Appoint a new Minister of National Defence.
• Complete a generational change in the senior echelons of the military command hierarchy.  In order to achieve this result, move down the rank pyramid a step or two to pick a younger 'up and comer 'leader. Appoint him or her as the next Chief of the Defence Staff. 
• Exercise the same method to appoint a new slate of senior commanders to head the three Services. 
2. Appoint an Inspector General of the Armed Forces. A civilian personality, accountable to Parliament with the power to investigate any and all complaints.  Appoint one of his subordinates i.e. The current Ombudsman charging  him with the management of the grievance process which is currently totally broken.
3. Civilianize the military judiciary As per the United Kingdom, court-martial judges will now truly be fully independent from the military chain of command
4. Remove criminal jurisdiction for crimes of sexual assault from the military Until 1998, the Canadian military did not have jurisdictions over crimes such as murder and sexual assault. This change in 1998 when the military were given jurisdiction over sexual assault. (Section 70 of the National Defence Act.

CONCLUSION

In reaction to this crisis, Justice (retired) Gilles Létourneau and I are currently in the final stages of publishing a new book outlining the reforms which must urgently be done to return the Canadian military to its former lustre and grandeur. It is will be published in the weeks ahead under the title; "Canada's Military Justice System is in a Meltdown: Will Government Act?"