NDP statement on the Conservative Party's Opposition Motion

NDP Critic for Women and Gender Equality, Lindsay Mathyssen, and the NDP Critic for Defence, Randall Garrison, made the following statement:

“Over the past few months, the scandal surrounding former General Vance and the Canadian Armed Forces has been a constant reminder of the lack of action and leadership from the Liberals to address the toxic culture within the CAF.

Women in the Canadian Armed Forces do not feel safe or heard. And why should they? The Liberal government and the Minister of Defence have done nothing to address the pervasive and well documented toxic culture against women within the CAF.

It is for that reason that we will be supporting the Conservative Party’s Opposition Day Motion. The Minister of Defence has shown no leadership when it comes to addressing this issue. The buck stops with him.

Canadians have had enough of a Minister who prefers to look the other way whether we are talking about sexual misconduct or war crimes. Instead it is time for a new Minister who will lead on these issues.

Women and all service people deserve better than empty apologies and promises to do better from the Minister and Prime Minister.

New Democrats will continue to push this government to implement the changes from the Deschamps report –which they have been ignoring for years.”