This is obviously something that matters very much to Canadians. We absolutely have to keep the focus on the fact that there are women in the Canadian Armed Forces who are watching what we're doing, and they need to feel comfortable that they can come forward. We want anybody who has faced anything like this to feel comfortable to come forward and have the right processes.
This committee has a significant role to play when it comes to finding what better processes may be there. I know we have another study coming up on the military justice system, which of course allows for us to make recommendations about how we do things better. It is absolutely clear that we have to do things better.
That said, what has been alleged in the media to be happening to Mr. Trotter is absolutely unacceptable. We cannot condone anybody, especially someone who's a potential witness to this committee, feeling that they are being intimidated in regard to being able to come to Parliament.
On what has been alleged in the House of Commons, I think all members of this committee want to give whatever assurances we can to Mr. Trotter to make sure he knows that he can testify before this committee freely, as can everybody else.
When we have the minister here, I think we will find that this will be a lot clearer. I know the minister is keen to come.
I note that there are a number of people here who are listed. I would like to add two names. We know that General Vance was appointed by the previous government. For most chiefs of the defence staff, from the time they are named publicly to the time the change of command happens is usually just one month. Therefore, I'd like to add—