Newsletter - june. 03, 2022
On Monday, I was joined by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour, as well as General Wayne Eyre and Deputy Minister Bill Matthews, to release and respond to Justice Arbour’s Final Independent External Review of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
I accepted Madame Arbour’s final report in its entirety, which contains 48 recommendations that seek to prevent and eradicate sexual misconduct and harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces, and that will help ensure that we deliver on the reforms needed to build a military where everyone feels safe, protected and respected.
In the last year, we have been laying the foundation for meaningful culture change - including by implementing Justice Arbour’s interim recommendation to refer the investigation and prosecution of criminal code sexual offences from the military justice system to the civilian justice system, and this work will continue in earnest.
We are immediately beginning to work on, or continuing efforts already underway, to implement 17, or over one-third, of these recommendations. We will develop plans to address the remaining recommendations as quickly as possible.
I thank Madame Arbour for her comprehensive report, which will be a cornerstone of our culture change efforts. The time for action is now, and together, we will deliver reforms that stand the test of time – to strengthen, grow, and improve this crucial institution. To learn more, click here.
Strengthening Gun Control and Making our Communities Safer
Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities, homes, schools, and workplaces. We can’t afford to become numb to the horrific, unspeakable tragedy of gun violence, one that rips communities apart and takes our children’s lives.
In 2019, our government banned 1,500 military-style assault firearms and strengthened gun control to keep firearms out of the wrong hands. We know that there is more work to do, and we have heard loud and clear from Canadians that they want to see stronger action, quickly, on gun crime.
This week, we announced strong measures to keep our communities safe, including:
Implementing a national freeze on handguns;
Taking away the firearms licences of those involved in acts of domestic violence or criminal harassment;
Increasing criminal penalties and providing more tools for law enforcement to investigate firearms crimes; and,
Requiring individuals who are considered a danger to themselves or others to surrender their firearms.
This announcement is about the survivors and those lost to gun violence – the friends and family of young people like Thomas Trudel and Meriem Boundaoui. It is about not letting ourselves become numb to the tragic reality of gun violence and taking strong action to make sure that our communities are safe.
Run4Lighthouse 5K Run
Last weekend, I joined over 700 participants in the annual Run4Lighthouse 5K run. For over 20 years, Lighthouse for Grieving Children & Families has provided much-needed critical support for those experiencing loss and grief in our Oakville community. Thank you to everyone who came out and thank you to Lighthouse for bringing us all together!
Visit to Valcartier
This week, I visited 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier. I met with troops who supported Quebecers throughout COVID-19 and natural disasters, and soldiers who recently returned to Canada after NATO deployments to Europe under Operation REASSURANCE.
I was joined by Minister Melanie Joly, along with the Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Estonia, and the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. I reiterated Canada’s resolute commitment to the security of our Baltic allies.
I also visited Valcartier’s Military Family Resource Centre to meet with staff and military families, and 2 CDSB Valcartier’s Conflict and Complaint Management Services staff to discuss their work to ensure that our members are safe, supported, and protected.
National Indigenous History Month
This National Indigenous History Month, I invite all Canadians to learn more about the distinct histories and vibrant cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples from coast to coast to coast.
Here in Oakville, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Oakville Community Foundation have partnered to create Debwewin: Truth of the Land, to further our shared understanding of Oakville’s Indigenous past and support local Truth & Reconciliation.
The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) have long historical roots in Oakville. Understanding the local history of the Indigenous people in Oakville from an Anishinaabek perspective is an important first step on the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.
To learn more about the Debwewin project and to view the Oakville treaties map, click here.
Visit to Victoria, BC
I had a great visit to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, Canada’s Pacific Coast naval base. CFB Esquimalt serves as headquarters for Maritime Forces–Pacific, or MARPAC, which is home to the 13 ships and two submarines of our Pacific fleet. I met with sailors learning to operate an Orca-class training vessel. These vessels operate year-round in B.C. coastal waters and are frequent visitors in many of the smaller ports both on the Mainland and around Vancouver Island.
I also received a tour of HMCS Corner Brook — one of the Royal Canadian Navy's four Victoria-class submarines. These submarines are some of the most strategic assets within the Canadian Armed Forces and are highly effective weapons of strategic deterrence. The Canadian Armed Forces have become the third largest employer in Greater Victoria, employing some 4,000 military personnel and 2,000 civilians. They are a crucial element of the Victoria community, and we thank all Defence Team members in the region for their service.
Happy Pride Month!
This week marks the beginning of Pride season. Throughout the month of June, we celebrate the resilience, spirit and presence of LGBTQ2 communities from coast to coast to coast. This year, I am so proud that our Halton Catholic District School Board schools will be flying the Pride flag and I'm grateful to all those who fought to make it possible. Happy Pride Month!
CANSEC Show
For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, CANSEC is back. This trade show brings the security and defence industry together – from Canada and around the world. I addressed the conference this week and spoke about the importance of our defence sector.
As I said in my remarks, the very first item in my mandate letter is to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces is a 21st century military with the right capabilities, equipment and culture. It would be impossible to fulfil this commitment without our security and defence industry.