Question Period Note: The Canadian Military Colleges Review Board

Why did it take the Government so long to name the members of the Canadian Military Colleges review Board and how impartial can we expect them to be?

• My top priority and greatest responsibility is to build a Defence Team where all members can reach their full potential – and external perspectives are valuable in achieving this goal.
• That is why we are moving ahead with the creation of the Canadian Military Colleges Review Board.
• This is an important milestone in our work to build a Canadian Armed Forces where all members feel protected, respected, and empowered to serve.
• The Board will be mandated to conduct an impartial review of Canada’s military college system and submit a report in 12 months.
• This initiative will address key recommendations of the Independent External Comprehensive Review by Justice Arbour.
• We remain open to all findings that can help improve the quality of a military college education and we look forward to cooperating and supporting the Board with its work.

If pressed on the delays to establish a Review Board:

• Since the release of the Arbour Report in May 2022, National Defence has worked hard to develop a solid, well-informed pathway to implement its 48 recommendations.
• Some recommendations require more work and time than others to implement, such as recommendations 28 and 29 which speak specifically to Canada’s military colleges.
• In order to ensure that the Board contains the necessary expertise and impartiality, members went through an objective selection process and conflict of interest screening.

Scope of the Board

• Using an evidence-based approach, the CMCRB will analyze the costs, benefits, advantages and disadvantages of continuing to educate naval and officer cadets at the military colleges.
• The CMCRB will assess the comparative quality of education, socialization and military leadership training at the military colleges.
• It will also consider and compare the advantages and disadvantages that would come with different models for delivering university-level education and military leadership training to naval and officer cadets.
• The CMCRB will make a recommendation on whether RMC Kingston and RMC Saint-Jean should continue in their current form following a thorough and documented analysis and consultation with subject matter experts.

• A recommendation on whether the current Cadet Wing structure should be modified or eliminated as per Recommendation 28 will be included.

  Responsibilities of the Board

• The CMCRB will submit a final report to the Deputy Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff to include the recommended model for university-level education and military leadership training to officer cadets and whether the Cadet Wing structure should be modified or eliminated, as well as any recommendations for additional courses or curriculum changes.

• The CMCRB will employ a documented, evidence-based approach in executing their mandate and will consult broadly with subject matter experts across a range of domains.
• Regular updates will also be provided to the Deputy Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff and to the Minister of National Defence.

• The Final Review Board Report will be due to the Deputy Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff one year after the CMCRB is convened.

  Impartiality of the Board

• Every effort has been made to ensure no CMCRB member is in a conflict of interest, such as having expressed a strong public opinion regarding the future of Canadian military colleges or having any personal/professional affiliations that could create a potential conflict of interest.

• As a condition of these appointments, all Board members have had to disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

  Board Members

• Dr. Kathy Hogarth, Chairperson

• Dr. Chantal Beauvais, Mr. Michael Goldbloom, Dr. Renée Légaré, Dr. Martin Maltais, external education and culture experts.
• Ms. Suneeta Millington, public service executive
• Colonel Kyle Solomon, CAF senior officer

Quick Facts

• On 06 December 2023, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Military Colleges Review Board (CMCRB).
• The Board will be comprised of seven members: it will be chaired by an independent, external education specialist, with four external members from outside the Defence Team, a senior CAF officer and a public service executive.
  • The Deputy Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff jointly convene the CMCRB to address the applicable IECR recommendations. They are known as the Convening Authority.
  • Board members are: Dr. Kathy Hogarth (Chair), Dr. Chantal Beauvais, Mr. Michael Goldbloom, Dr. Renée Légaré, Dr. Martin Maltais, Ms. Suneeta Millington, Colonel Kyle Solomon.
• The Board will have access to specialist advice and is being supported by a Secretariat for their administrative, logistical, legal, analytical, and communications requirements.
• It will conduct a review of Canada’s military college system and submit a report in 12 months.