First of all, reprisals go against everything we are in the Canadian Forces. No defence team member should ever feel unsafe or alone in an organization that talks about teamwork the way we do. I saw the stories last night and I listened and I'm sorry that my teammate who was listed in one of the media articles has felt afraid to be named.
Reprisals have no place in the Canadian Forces. Leaders who engage in reprisals have no place in the Canadian Forces. We owe that support and that respect to those who trust us, the families and members who trust us for their own safety. Essentially, reprisals are about the use of power, not the abuse of it.
One of the things we need to do is to focus on what leaders understand to be their boundaries and whether they understand their responsibilities. I am an infantry officer and I was brought up to understand that leadership is a privilege that must be curated.
Thank you.