Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you for your question. It covers a massive body of knowledge and work, but I'll try and boil it down for you. As we contemplate operations, as we contemplate engaging in an operational area of any type, there are a number of military objectives at stake. Gender-based analysis plus essentially ensures that we consider all aspects of the vulnerable population as we contemplate those military objectives.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, sir. I'll start, and then General Whitecross can get into some of the details. We are taking an approach that looks at best practices globally among our allies and within those organizations in Canada that would have some experience in this. Key to this is a victim-centred approach.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm joined here today by Lieutenant-General Christine Whitecross, who is the chief of military personnel command for the Canadian Armed Forces. Mr. Greg Smolynec is one of our defence scientists. He is intimately involved in all things to do with gender-based analysis and the work we're doing to advance our issues in the Canadian Armed Forces.

National Defence committee  Thanks, Minister. I certainly agree with the minister. I think our edge has been well-educated and well-trained troops, well equipped and well led. I think that gives us an edge internationally and places us in the first tier of nations among our closest allies. I'm not quite certain I understand your premise, where we were one way and now we're going to be another.

National Defence committee  Minister, thank you. The intent in transition through the JPSUs in partnership with VAC will be to ensure that each individual who is injured and needs to transition somehow.... It's really one of two missions. Get well and return to duty or transition successfully post-retirement out of the armed forces with an absolutely seamless transition, where going from the care of the armed forces to the care of VAC is not rocky or causing lag times in benefits, uncertainty about care, who to see, and so on.

National Defence committee  The Cyclones are just beginning the workup to be able to land on and operate from ships, so they're at what we would call IOC, interim operational capability. They won't be fully operational for another year and a half or two years.

National Defence committee  Thank you, Minister and Mr. Chair. You asked a specific question about rules of engagement and whether they allow for the exchange of fire on the front line. You understand that this train, advise, and assist mission is largely defensive in posture given that the Kurdish line, if you will, which, where we are, will overlook the Mosul basin, is largely static with some skirmishes to try to establish a better line.