Response from MDN: Getting Redress Right report

12 June 2024

Dear Mr. Lick

Thank you for your letter of May 17, 2024, with which you enclosed the report Getting Redress Right: an investigation into the inequities CAF Members face when they have limited or no grievance rights.

I am advised by the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture, as the functional authority on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Grievances, that they endorse and agree with the findings and that the Department of National Defence is fully committed to addressing your seven recommendations.

Your investigation team was diligent throughout the process, and the recommendations will prove to be incredibly valuable to both inform and enhance the work that is already being done to transform and modernize our military grievance system. In fact, the report’s findings will further enable a number of initiatives that are currently being strengthened or implemented including jurisdiction testing, systematic issue identification, and universally accessible communications.

In particular, the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture will continue to work internally with the Chief Military Personnel, as well as the National Joint Council (NJC) and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) to further inform both their policies and best practices, including policy interpretation. We will also ensure that the CAF leadership and personnel working within the compensation and benefits space are fully aware of the central responsibilities that the NJC and TBS exercise on behalf of the Government of Canada and look for additional pathways for collaboration.

Once again, thank you for writing. I look forward to our offices continuing to work together in support of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Bill Blair, P.C., C.O.M., M.P.

Minister of National Defence