Question Period Note: JUSTICE DESCHAMPS’ RECOMMENDATIONS

Why did DND/CAF fail to implement Justice Deschamps’ recommendations?

• Sexual misconduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within the Canadian Armed Forces.
• While we accepted all of Justice Deschamps’ recommendations, work continues to increase support to victims and create culture change.
• This is why we recently appointed Justice Arbour to examine Defence culture and provide recommendations on ways to effect culture change.
• National Defence is committed to fully implementing Justice Arbour’s recommendations that will build on the work of Justice Deschamps.
• We understand that more needs to be done to fully enact the structural, legislative, and cultural changes outlined in Justice Deschamps’ recommendations.
• Through all of these efforts, we will listen and learn from our people – past and present – to bring about culture change and eliminate sexual misconduct.

Quick Facts:
The Deschamps Report’s key findings:
* Existence of a sexualized culture within the organization;
* Low representation of women at senior leadership level;
* A perception that the Chain of Command condones sexually inappropriate conduct;
* Lack of sanctions, accountability, and trust;
* Under-reporting by victims;
* Insufficient and inconsistent support for victims;
* Policies that are unclear and/or inconsistently applied;
* Amplifying effects of rank and alcohol;
* Lack of comprehensive data and measures of outcomes; and,
* Insufficient training.

Key dates:
* Spring 2014: Independent external review commissioned by the CDS
* July 2014: The Honourable Marie Deschamps, a former Supreme Court of Canada Justice, was asked to conduct the review
* 27 March 2015: Report delivered to the CDS
* 30 April 2015: Report released to both external and internal audiences

Actions being taken to address sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces:
* Independent External Comprehensive Review lead by Justice Arbour
* Independent of the chain of command.
* Will examine Defence culture and provide recommendations on:
* ways to affect the necessary changes;
* establishing external oversight, and/or;
* review mechanisms related to misconduct.
* Peer support program
* DND/CAF and Veterans Affairs Canada will jointly develop a professionally, co-facilitated peer support program to assist CAF members and Veterans who have suffered harm as a result of experiencing sexual misconduct in connection with their military service.
* Will be co-designed with the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) and informed by mental health experts and survivors.
* LGen Carignan appointed Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture
* Responsible for creating the conditions for cultural transformation, ensuring that our behaviours reflect the very best parts of our organization, and Canadian society.
* Principal advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff and Deputy Minister on all matters related to professional conduct and culture in the Defence Team.
* Implement Bill C-77, which includes a Declaration of Victims’ Rights

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs), Assistant Deputy Minister (Review Services), Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.