QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Louise Arbour's Mandate
May 6, 2021
My question is for Senator Gold.
Over the past week, several members of the Canadian Armed Forces have asked me about Justice Arbour’s actual mandate. As a member of the government, perhaps you can enlighten me.
I have read two descriptions of her mandate in the media: to establish an independent mechanism for receiving and dealing with complaints of sexual misconduct or to establish an independent centre of accountability for sexual assault and harassment. Can you tell me which of those two descriptions represents Ms. Arbour’s actual mandate?
Thank you for your question, senator.
I don’t think I can answer your question as you have asked it. It’s a legitimate question, but I don’t want to be misunderstood. However, I would like to reiterate that Ms. Arbour has a mandate to provide her input on implementing the appropriate recommendations, for one thing, as well as to work within the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure the culture changes.
As you can see, these two phrases mean practically the same thing. Ultimately, it is Justice Arbour’s mandate, but it is also the mandate that former Justice Deschamps was given in 2015. It is the same thing.
However, Senator Gold, the Declaration of Victims Rights for the military, passed in 2019 — as I told you a month and a half ago — is not yet in effect. This law was passed by Parliament, by us. I am trying to understand. Perhaps you will explain it to me. Do you have the answer, a month and a half later? Why did the Minister of National Defence, who is responsible for implementing this law, not do so?
Thank you for the question and for your commitment to this cause.
We made inquiries but have not yet received a response.
