Mr. Chair, before I begin, I'd like to address the fact that Mr. Richards has done this a few times. He has taken witnesses' time to debate his own personal agenda.
Apart from that, hello everyone and thank you for having me.
Members of the committee, I appreciate the opportunity to present my recommendations regarding this parliamentary study on transition. As a veteran air force sergeant of the Canadian Armed Forces, a military spouse and a mother of three, I aim to draw from my personal experiences to assist others in navigating the challenges of transition.
In 1996, I enlisted as an aircraft structural technician in the Canadian Armed Forces. Shortly after commencing my recruit course in 1997, I endured a traumatic incident of sexual assault perpetrated by another recruit. Despite this and other similar adversities, I persevered, driven by a deep love for my job and a commitment to serving my country.
Throughout my years of service, I faced harassment, sexual assault and discrimination. Despite sustaining injuries from a runway aircraft incident in 2003 and being subsequently diagnosed with PTSD and fibromyalgia, I remained dedicated to my duties.
It was not until the announcement of Operation Honour in 2015 that I finally felt empowered to come forward and report the incidents I had endured. After reporting four cases, instead of receiving individual support for my recovery, I was abruptly pushed toward a transition out of the military, all while my perpetrators remained unpunished. Overall, the transition unit provided inadequate support, leaving me ill-prepared for civilian life and exacerbating the toll on my physical and mental health and that of my family.
Despite my efforts to raise awareness about the lack of support for victims of sexual misconduct, I encountered resistance from senior military officials, including General Jonathan Vance. His signature on my certificate symbolized the institutional failure to address the systemic issues within the military. It made me sick to look at, because he had already been fired and charged.
Following my release in 2020, I experienced a profound decline in both my physical and mental well-being, compounded by the financial burden of accessing private health care services. The absence of dedicated support services for veterans and their families further exacerbated our struggles.
In light of these challenges, I propose the following recommendations to enhance the reintegration of military personnel into civilian life.
One, establish dedicated sexual misconduct services and supports at transition centres, accessible to both members and their families.
Two, provide comprehensive legal and mental health supports, particularly for individuals navigating ongoing legal cases and mental health challenges.
Three, allocate funds for education and skills training programs tailored to the diverse needs of veterans, including non-traditional avenues such as acting and improv training.
Four, expand support services offered by Veterans Affairs and align them with those provided by comparable international agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Five, implement long-term support programs addressing various aspects of post-military life, with medical oversight to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Six, enhance access to essential resources during transition, including DWAN computers, civilian lawyers, finance specialists and female veteran-specific job preparation resources.
Seven, establish mentorship programs to guide transitioning members and their families through the challenges of civilian life.
These recommendations aim to address the systemic gaps in support services for military personnel and their families, ensuring a smoother transition to civilian life and mitigating the adverse effects of military service. By prioritizing the well-being of veterans and acknowledging their contributions, we can honour their service and uphold the values of equity, dignity and respect within our armed forces.
I would like to underline the importance of programs geared toward supporting children and spouses through this transition.
The Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday program, COPE, was extremely beneficial for my husband and me, as well as for our children. The post-program follow-through with six months of couples coaching laid down the foundation that my husband and I needed to start recovering.
Camp Maple Leaf for the kids of heroes is another great program. It has been extremely beneficial for my family.
Personally, I've participated in a program offered at Project Trauma Support run by Manuela Joannou, and the lifeshop at The Pepper Pod run by Sandra Perron, both of which are potentially dangerous and I would not recommend.
Apart from that, I would like to underline that I have been working with one of the previous witnesses, Marie-Ève Doucet. I remember us taking down engines and working together on the flight line.
I want to emphasize that there needs to be a study on hazardous material and the effects on our unborn children, especially on microparticles and how they affect our brains. Currently, I have a list of friends who are already dead, who are dying or who will die specifically because of this. Other countries have recognized the haz-mat risk. I'm just waiting for my number, and it pains me to think that after being sick this long, I will potentially not make it.
Thank you.