QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Operation HONOUR
June 12, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. A recent study out of Dalhousie University focuses on how Canada’s military law system responds to sexual assault. The study found that since 2015, when the Canadian Armed Forces launched Operation HONOUR, only one soldier has been convicted by a military judge of sexually assaulting a female member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The study also looked at the rate of acquittals for sexual assault charges in the military justice system versus those tried in our civilian courts. It found that since 2015, 9 of the military’s 14 sexual assault trials resulted in acquittals on all charges — an acquittal rate of 64 per cent.
The acquittal rate for those charges in civilian courts over the same time period is only 5 per cent. Leader, what is your government’s response to the findings of this report? What do these statistics tell Canadians about the success of Operation HONOUR?
I thank the honourable senator for his question. He will know from comments that the minister responsible, and indeed the head of the armed forces has made, that these results are troubling and there is more work to do, absolutely. The senior leadership of the armed forces has recommitted to improving and dealing more effectively than the report would suggest has been the case.
I would also point out that we in this chamber can do something as well and that’s pass Bill C-77 to ensure that victims of discrimination, prosecution, assault and otherwise, in the armed forces, are provided victims’ rights equal to and parallel with those provided to non-military personnel.
Leader, as you know, our Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence has recently examined sexual harassment and violence in the forces. The committee made a number of recommendations to the government, including improving the oversight and accountability of Operation HONOUR, commitments made to the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Leader, could you just tell us if the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff are aware of the findings of our Senate committee? If so, what is their initial response to our recommendations?
I thank the honourable senator for his question. I can confirm that the minister and senior officials are indeed aware and they are reviewing the report, as it is helpful advice to the government. They will be responding in a more formal fashion with respect to the advice given by the Senate as appropriate.
