QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Harassment Allegations
May 4, 2021
Senator Gold, over the last several weeks, the military harassment scandal that has engulfed this government has blown up, once again exposing the Trudeau government’s fake feminism. The scandal has left many victims in its wake, and those victims are women and men who serve Canada in our military. They deserve better and Canadians deserve better.
Senator Gold, given the defence minister’s total mismanagement of this file, why hasn’t Minister Sajjan lost his job yet?
Senator, thank you for the question. The situation in the Canadian military is a deplorable one, and the women and men who have suffered harassment and other inappropriate behaviour deserve better. This government knows they deserve better.
The fact is that the government has put in place several initiatives since 2015 in direct response to Justice Deschamps’ report. Not only is it not enough, but the government recognizes we haven’t solved the problem yet and much work needs to be done. That’s why, in the appointment of Justice Arbour, the government is determined to take further steps to effect the deep, necessary and admittedly difficult cultural change required so that Canadians who serve our country can do so in a safe and appropriate environment.
Senator Gold, this is six years after the Deschamps report. It has become painfully obvious over this so‑called feminist government’s time in office that when men in the Trudeau cabinet flounder, they stay in place or get promoted.
Why is it that only women in the Trudeau cabinet get fired or demoted? Is that because it’s 2021?
Senator, again, I don’t accept the premise of your question. The government is working hard to address this issue. It is a deplorable situation. The government is continuing the steps it has taken since 2015 to effect the change, which is not complete. Much more needs to be done, and this government is committed to doing what is necessary.
