Thanks very much, and good evening.
My name is Chris Whitecross, and I recently retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in December 2020 at the rank of lieutenant-general.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak today on what I consider to be an important issue facing the Canadian Armed Forces today and into the future. It's important, I believe, because how we treat people is not just a measure of our values but of our operational effectiveness as a military force.
As someone who grew up in uniform, having spent over 38 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, I am disheartened and angry on hearing some of the witness statements that have come out even as late as this week.
I look forward to responding to your questions with the hope that we can collectively come up with some concrete steps forward.
Thanks very much. I look forward to your questions.