Evidence of meeting #28 for Status of Women in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Kin Choi  Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources, Civilian, Department of National Defence
Steven Whelan  Acting Commander Military Personnel Command and Chief Military Personnel, Department of National Defence
Lieutenant-General  Retired) Christine Whitecross (As an Individual
Kellie Brennan  As an Individual

8:25 p.m.

LGen (Ret'd) Christine Whitecross

There are two aspects to why we want to treat people well. There's the social imperative, I'll call it, which is just the common sense and right way to treat humans. There's also the operational imperative, which is that we cannot be an effective operation or military force doing some very dangerous work if everyone in the organization doesn't feel as though they are a part of the team and they are being respected and are able to be as good a person as they can and bring to the team as much as they can.

Having said that as a marker, I would say that one thing we need to do, which I believe a number of you have already mentioned, is to hold people to account. People also need to report. We need to make sure that we're not creating an environment or maintaining an environment where people are afraid to come forward. We need to create the environment where a dignified and respectful workplace is the norm.

Thank you.

8:30 p.m.

Liberal

Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON

Thank you very much.

8:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Marilyn Gladu

Very good.

Thank you to our witnesses. Thank you for your service, for your bravery and for making a difference in this study that we're performing.

Committee members, I will remind you that we resume on Tuesday for our rural communities and unpaid work final panels.

Is it the pleasure of the committee to adjourn?

Seeing that it is, have a great night. We'll see you Tuesday.

The meeting is adjourned.