National Defence committee  I can comment more on just the effect. To be honest, I empathize with everyone around this table in the sense that I don't think there's a single person here—even beyond the table, in the entire room—who would want sexual misconduct in the military and a dysfunctional military.

National Defence committee  Well, I looked at the minister's remarks and he commented, “I also understand my responsibility for holding [my officials] to account”. I certainly hope the minister is supported in that opportunity, because this is what being a minister is about. I won't speak for Mr. Walbourne

National Defence committee  It's a good question in the sense that there's always an opportunity, as I was saying, when you have issues around discretion, for abuse to arise. When it comes to requesting information, the challenge, of course, is that assumptions are made as to who's making these sorts of req

National Defence committee  Understood.

National Defence committee  First, I would say I haven't actually brushed up too much on the military justice system. As you heard, “mentorship” was the response from the recommendation by the military police for charges. I haven't gotten to the trial phase. In my corporate law practice, we deal with issue

National Defence committee  The grievance system is presently almost the bane of my existence. It is a source of aggravation and frustration. I'll say two things. First of all, you need to put yourself in the perspective of the most vulnerable kind of person. Respectfully, that's actually not me. I'm an at

National Defence committee  I like your hair, but....

National Defence committee  Let me quote from the privacy breach report that I received from the department, which said they were basically in mitigation—

National Defence committee  It's one sentence.

National Defence committee  I understand. It says, “25 August 2023, member B was reminded that according to section 7 (use) of the Privacy Act the use of [personal information] must be consistent with the purpose for which it was collected, and that retention of performance related information must be in

National Defence committee  I think the basics of the system exist. The system that I would say needs to be fixed is the people system. It's the people version of that system, which is about making sure that when you report to someone, they're willing to take it on. Here's my interpretation of the obligati

National Defence committee  The short answer is that we need to move from a system of whistle-blower reprisals to a system of whistle-blower protections. I would like to highlight on the record, for those who might take issue with the manner in which I've communicated certain information today, that I've

National Defence committee  There's too much to answer in 30 seconds. As I said, fundamentally, you need leadership to lead. My father, before he died, gifted me with a plaque that he had on his desk at work. It says, “If you're ahead of me, lead. If you're behind me, follow. If you're not going to do any

National Defence committee  I did like the proposal “Not Their First Rodeo”. I found that was quite good.

National Defence committee  Absolutely. To add to that, part of the concern that was missing from the officials' presentation about grievances is.... I think it was one of the generals who responded by saying that there's a catch-all that says if you exceed the timeline to file a grievance, it can, of cour