Military chief addresses abuse allegations
In an exclusive interview, the National Post’s Matthew Fisher spoke to Gen. Jonathan Vance about sexual abuse in the military, the biggest threats Canada faces and what he has planned for the Canadian Armed Forces. An edited version of their discussion fo
In July, Gen. Jonathan Vance took over as Canada’s chief of defence staff, just months after the release of a scathing report detailing problems with sexual harassment in the military. One of Canada’s most decorated soldiers, Vance served two combat tours in Afghanistan, was a senior NATO commander in Europe and, before taking on his new post, was responsible for all Canadian military operations in Canada and overseas.
Q. The Canadian Armed Forces have been the subject of quite a lot of attention lately because of allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Has this hurt the regard that Canadians have for the armed forces? How can you counter that and convince Canadians that you are on the right path?
A. I do not like at all the idea that one of our members, putting on a uniform, and going to work has a sick feeling because they think they are not going to be treated with the respect and professionalism that they are due. Every soul in the armed forces is important. We are a busy armed forces. The world demands much of us. We cannot afford to have any wastage in our ranks or people unable to focus on their job because they are being harassed or harm is being brought to them. I am concerned for the internal institution and I am absolutely concerned and don’t like the fact that this may cause Canadians to think less of the armed forces. We need to respond and we need to respond effectively, such that both victim and whoever is performing the harm, are dealt with appropriately.
Q. General, there have been serious sexual allegations made against an officer who was involved with the cadet corps a few years ago. At Camp Ipperwash (Ontario) in 1977 you were the cadet of the year. What is the value of that program?
A. I can tell you from first-hand experience and from knowing the experiences of so many others who joined the cadets, it is a fantastic youth program offered to children and youth that speaks to the development of citizenship and some skill sets. We run it very carefully. We do our very best, and overall do a very good job of making certain that the program is safe, healthy and focused on those things that are appropriate for youth to be focused on. We don’t train them to be warriors. We don’t train them to be able to conduct armed forces missions. What they get out of it, very similar to other youth movements such as Outward Bound or Scouts Canada, is leadership, citizenship, the ability to have a social group with a common interest.
Q. Senior American and British commanders have stated in recent weeks that Russia is the greatest threat to western interests, followed closely by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. What is your opinion?
A. It is clear to me that they are both fighting for the bottom of the barrel in terms of their credibility and their actions in global affairs. At this particular point in time I am most concerned about (ISIL) only because we are in direct contact with them in terms of our air operations. As a matter of routine operations, they are an adversary we deal with every day. So from a practical respect, I must have them at the top of my list. Russia poses an equally challenging threat. Any actor of that size and strength that is failing to follow international norms of law and using force and a combined force of instruments of national power to change borders while not respecting the peaceful processes that ought to be used is also a threat and it could manifest itself in something far more dangerous than (ISIL) in the future.
Q. Does Canada have the budget and manpower for what it is doing overseas right now?
A. We can continue with what we are doing now, indefinitely. Whether we do or (do) not is a matter for the government to decide. But our capacity in terms of trained personnel and our equipment is entirely appropriate for the current mission sets we are undertaking. And I would say we have the ability to do more if required. So, yes, (we) can conduct training operations, support to Ukraine with the Canadian Army and others and at the same time ( be able to) respond to support Canadians. I cannot underrate the fact that it is Canada first. It is Canada and our territory that we defend first.
Q. You have spoken of responding to the Deschamps report as your top priority. What are your other priorities?
A. My job is principally to manage daily operations and lead the institution. It is to make certain that we remain a credible, viable, important national institution. And that we continue into the future with a modern, effective armed forces that can achieve the objectives of the government of Canada. At the same time (we) have to make certain that the armed forces are relevant and capable in the future, which means procurement and bringing in new training regimes, cyber, space, intelligence, everything that effects our ability to operate in the future is all in the mix. The first thing on my mind, in terms of what I am going to bring to the institution has to be to address the Deschamps report and make certain that people can come to work in the armed forces and be free from the harm or potential harm of sexual assault and harassment. That plays to a wider effort that the armed forces needs to be a good place to work. And that you are confident in your training, in your leaders, your equipment and the chain of command and that you feel prepared to face that unlimited liability that comes with putting on a uniform.