Menu

Defence Minister Anita Anand

mil-report

New report wants military to give up control over sexual assault cases

, , , , ,

The much-anticipated report on sexual misconduct in the Candian military was released on Monday, and it includes 48 recommendations.

Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour oversaw the report and presented its findings along with Defense Minister Anita Annad at a presentation in Ottawa.

Arguably the most impactful recommendation calls for sexual assault cases to be handled permanently by regular police and civilian courts.

“As challenging as it is, this organization must demonstrate enough humility to accept external help and open itself to the outside world,” Arbour wrote in her report.

Civilian courts and police have been handling sexual assault cases that involve military personnel for the past year after it was enabled by Minister Annad who did so in response to an earlier recommendation from Arbour.

The report now calls for that change to be made permanent.

During the presentation of the report, which Minister Anand attended she indicated some of its implementations are already underway, “We are moving forward “We are moving forward expeditiously with the first 17 recommendations and we will move forward with the remainder once I’m presented for a plan for their implementation,”.

The report comes after over two years of hard work after Arbour was tasked in April 2020 with conducting an external review to examine sexual misconduct in the military.

It was commissioned in the wake of multiple sexual assault allegations being made against high-ranking military officials.

Also speaking at the report presentation Arbour stressed that its success will be determined by political willpower. “In my previous life, I spoke in court orders, not recommendations, so I have to adjust to an environment where we can do all this work that shows a clear view forward but I can’t force it on anyone so I hope the analysis in the report will persuade those to take action,”.

Arbour also says the government needs to be forthright about their use of the report and she is calling for them to indicate which recommendations they intend to pursue by the end of the year.

5653240459_7f6371837d

Canada Extends Operation Reassurance In Europe

, , , , , ,

Ahead of the 2023 deadline, Canada is re-upping Operation Reassurance in Europe.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Tuesday during his ongoing trip to discuss Russia’s attack on Ukraine with world leaders.

“In light of the situation in Europe we decided to renew it ahead of schedule,” Trudeau remarked. “The troops here are not only defending Latvia or eastern Europe, they are defending all NATO allies including Canada. They are defending our freedom and security, that’s why this work is so important especially in the face of continued Russian aggression.”

The operation involves Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members conducting training, exercises, and some North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) specific tasks.

Trudeau also took the time pledge more support for Ukraine in their ongoing conflict with Russia.

“We have sent aid, weapons and we will continue to send support to Ukrainians as they stand and defend not just their country but defend democracy, the values that underpin democracy and in fact defend us all.”

One reporter put the question to both the Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as to how much farther world leaders are willing to go to end the conflict.

“We are here to preserve peace, prevent war and that’s the reason why we are increasing our defensive presence in Latvia and in the rest of the eastern part of the alliance,” responded Stoltenberg.

Trudeau stressed that NATO has never been more united and determined and all members will abide by Article 5.