(It’s) the impunity, stupid

 I’ll be blunt: the problem with sexual misconduct in the Canadian Forces (CF) is not the sexual nature of the misconduct. To paraphrase James Carville: “(It’s) the impunity, stupid.” While sexual misconduct can represent a particularly pernicious type of impunity, it can be characterized as a symptom, not the broader

Whither the DND/CF Ombudsman?

 There has been a great deal of discussion concerning the DND/CF Ombudsman1 over the past few days, and a lot of that discussion has been problematic or misleading. Much of that discussion has revolved around two issues or characteristics: The DND/CF Ombudsman’s independence; and Whether the DND/CF Ombudsman ought to report directly

What could the Minister of National Defence have investigated?

 There have been a great many public comments, assertions, allegations, and observations about the current ‘crisis’ in the Canadian Forces. These have been raised in news media reports and in Parliamentary Committee meetings. I suspect there has also been a great deal of ‘chatter’ in social media. I also find that many of

Some observations on recent developments in the Canadian Forces

 ABOVE: The former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Jonathan Vance, and (RIGHT) the current CDS, Admiral Art McDonald. As allegations of sexual misconduct continue to rock the Canadian military, Ottawa Life Magazine is publishing expert subject matter commentary, including these blog articles from Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Rory Fowler which reflects both