NDP: Liberal government has failed to address the toxic culture within the armed forces

OTTAWA – During yesterday’s question period, the NDP called out Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government for continuing to fail women in Canada’s armed forces. Last week, rather than implementing the recommendations from the review they’ve had for 6 years on sexual misconduct in the military, the Liberal government announced another review.

“Last week the Liberals offered up their solution to the toxic sexual culture against women in the armed forces – another report. Maybe they forgot, we already have a report. Actually, we have several,” said Lindsay Mathyssen, the NDP’s Critic for Women and Gender Equality, in the House yesterday. “But the Deschamps report has been collecting dust for six years while women continue to experience unfair treatment while doing their best to serve our country.”

In 2015, Justice Marie Deschamps carried out a review of the Canadian armed forces and documented a sexualized culture within the organization. In her report Deschamps made ten recommendations, six years later, none have been implemented.

“The issue of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Forces is fundamentally about equality. While there is a culture which tolerates sexual misconduct – women cannot serve equally,” said NDP MP Rachel Blaney (North Island – Powell River), yesterday, in the House. “This requires action – with the utmost respect for Justice Arbour – service women do not need another report.”

New Democrats are committed to ensuring the women in Canada’s armed forces are able to serve equally, without being subjected to a sexualized culture.