Status of Women committee  For us, again, we go back to the reasons we're here. Whenever we receive a report about abuse of authority—I suspect we're talking about a lot of things in the bigger picture, but for that specifically, as it relates to us—it's really a matter of receiving the report, following t

Status of Women committee  I can't speak to the independence—yes or no—of the investigation, because I'm not the one conducting it.

Status of Women committee  Folks can come to our unit. There is a section within the NDA that allows the VCDS to issue an instruction, but I have yet to see it happen.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for the question. I guess there are a few parts to answer here. One is the unique position the CFNIS is in. Under the Queen's regulations and orders, which is how we operate, and the National Defence Act, there are certain folks who are authorized to pursue charges.

Status of Women committee  I'm aware of the “red room” and the unit disciplinary investigation. I think it's probably a good point to advise that the investigation was conducted by the navy. The stuff that I'm aware of is from the media, probably the same as you. Nothing has been referred to my unit for in

Status of Women committee  To be clear, nobody outside of the provost marshal can direct me to conduct an investigation. Folks can report an allegation to us, and then we'll decide whether or not we proceed with an investigation.

Status of Women committee  It's a good question. It's one that has been asked from time to time. You see me in a uniform today, but my investigators and I don't wear a uniform from day to day. There is no threat to promotion or postings or anything from the work that they do, because the folks we're invest

Status of Women committee  Absolutely. There's always a balance. The institution, even through best efforts, wants to support victims. However, at times, victims might not want that. They might not want their unit or folks they're working with to understand it until a public court appearance. Part of what

Status of Women committee  That's a good question. There are two parts. Public discourse such as what's happening right now is very important, because I can tell you, there's certainly an increase in folks coming forward to the CFNIS. To me, although the focus of public discourse is on the problem areas,

Status of Women committee  No, absolutely. I guess my response would be the same. To speak about the specifics of an investigation is not appropriate, and I wouldn't get into what we did or didn't do throughout the investigation. I will tell you that a complaint was received, an investigative assessment

Status of Women committee  I'm not authorized to release parts of an investigation or the steps that were or were not taken.

Status of Women committee  I don't believe we were.... I'm just looking at my notes here. The CFNIS, I don't believe, was asked to look at that specific allegation.

Status of Women committee  I've been in this position since May 2020, so as far as I'm aware, I have no information.

Status of Women committee  From my time or my experience within the CFNIS—and I can't speak for the ombudsman—I can say that, in the past, investigators from their office have coordinated with our office when there was a desire for a criminal investigation. That has happened in the past but only when ther

Status of Women committee  In terms of interference as it applies to the CFNIS, if I understand correctly, in order to start an investigation.... Asking me to examine and look at something would not be interference. Interference would be improper conduct during the investigation as it relates to the CFNIS.