National Defence Committee on Oct. 27th, 2025

[LGen Paul Prévost]

Under the VLO program, this legislation allows somebody to ask for a VLO on behalf of the victim. That is the change with this legislation.

The victim's liaison officers are there to provide support to victims where a respondent is accused of a service offence. Right now, we're discussing how we're going to expand the program, because our VLOs are really well versed in the military justice system and not in the civilian justice system. We're looking at how we're going to expand that program and how we do the interface with all the services that are available in the civilian justice system as well.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Do I have some time, Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

You have some time.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Further to that, General Prévost, there has been some concern. We've heard from victims who now will have to rely on a bit of a patchwork quilt across the country for the sorts of victim services that are in place in the civilian realm.

In my own riding, in Bay of Quinte, the city of Belleville police, for instance, just onboarded a victim services person full time. That's not the case in all areas.

There is some reticence from some victims who say they're not convinced that with the transition those supports will be there for them when they take their case to the civilian system. What reassurances can we give them on that, General Carignan?

[Gen Jennie Carignan]

From our perspective, all of our public service employees and CAF members have access to SMSRC support. This is a firm support that exists regardless of where they are in Canada. Regardless of which jurisdiction will prosecute the case, the SMSRC will remain as the firm support for victims.

[Chris Malette, Liberal, Bay of Quinte, ON]

Perfect. Thank you.

For General Holman or Ms. Beck, in addition to proposing to transfer jurisdiction over sexual offences committed by CAF members from the CAF to the civilian justice system, Bill C-11 would introduce structural reforms to the military justice system that are aimed at improving procedural fairness and victim engagement throughout the complaint and hearing process.

How would the proposed structural reforms, including changes to hearing procedures, ensure that victims are better informed, supported and able to participate meaningfully in the proceedings involving service offences?

[Stefanie Beck, Deputy Minister, Department of National Defence]

Perhaps the JAG can add afterwards.

To be clear, the 24-7 line that currently exists is there and available for victims all across the country and their families. Now, of course, the Coast Guard has access to our particular systems.

We also have a well-resourced response and support coordination program that is there to help interpret, in fact, to accompany the victims through the processes, providing support, advocacy and personalized case management. All of that will continue.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Thank you, Deputy Minister. I appreciate that.

Monsieur Savard-Tremblay, you now have two and a half minutes.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to follow up on the coordination aspect.

General Carignan, you seemed to say that mechanisms were already in place. That means there won't be any new ones tied to the bill itself.

I was wondering about another aspect. Under the bill, the military can still be involved in securing evidence or arresting people, for instance.

Again, how are you going to make sure there isn't any involvement or interference in the civilian system?

[Gen Jennie Carignan]

Our police officers are very well informed of their roles and responsibilities. Every case is different. In an emergency situation, it will be necessary to respond right away for the safety of the victim. Our officers can do that until the case is transferred to civilian police.

In some cases, victims may not file a complaint for months. That is a completely different situation. Victims can choose how they want to report the events. The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre is well equipped to inform victims of the procedure.

I'll give you an example. The victim may decide to go straight to civilian police without telling anyone in the chain of command. That is entirely in line with what I was saying about victims' having full control over how they want their complaint dealt with. That's what we mean by that, and it is respected.

In other cases, the victim may decide to turn to the chain of command, which can take tangible steps to ensure their safety.

There are a number of possibilities, ensuring that the victim has full control over the complaint process.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

I assume I'm out of time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

Yes, you are.

Thank you, General Carignan and Mr. Savard‑Tremblay.

I will now pass it over to Mr. Kimble.

You have five minutes.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Just for the record, it's Kibble, not Kimble.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

I apologize.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

It's all good.

[The Chair, Liberal, Charles Sousa]

You're not the first person I've ruined by way of their last name.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

You've certainly not ruined me. I think I can recover.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to circle back to the Canadian warship being a sovereign platform. It was discussed that, in both international and Canadian territorial waters, prosecutions would be under the military justice system. What about when that ship is alongside, say, the port of Vancouver?

[MGen Rob Holman]

If it was alongside the port of Vancouver, without question, it would be in Canada, so the military police would have the authority to take those initial steps that are dealt with in clause 8, but thereafter it would be the civilian police that would take over.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

In international waters—

[MGen Rob Holman]

That's an interesting one that I will take on notice, and we'll come back to you by the time we get to clause-by-clause.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

—or, say, at anchor—

[MGen Rob Holman]

I know.

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

There are just some areas that need some definitions.

[MGen Rob Holman]

I had it going through my head after the initial question, and I think I understand the question now. We'll have a better answer when we get to clause-by-clause.