Policy

New Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Defence Team Champions Announced

Mishall Rehman June 25, 2024

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New Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) Defence Team Champions were recently announced by the Chief of the Defence (CDS) and the Deputy Minister (DM).

“EEDI Defence Team Champions are executive level public servants or flag/general officers appointed for their willingness to contribute meaningfully to achieving the strategic and operational objectives of the program,” stated CANFORGEN 066/24 announcing the new appointments.

New to theew Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) Defence Team is Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie. Above image: the Vice-Admiral visits the Engineering Training Element during Operation UNIFIER in southern Poland on March 25, 2023. Photo by: Master Sailor Valerie LeClair, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

Appointments

This year, a few military champions have changed on the EEDI Defence Team Champions. The new appointments are as follows:

Persons with disabilities: VAdm. Bob Auchterlonie, Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC), and Giby Armstrong (ADM(RS)).
2SLGBTQI(Plus): BGen. James Hawthorne J5D NORAD/USNORTHCOM HQ and Lara Rookie (DG EPR).

The following people returned for another term as an EEDI Defence Team Champion:

Women: LGen. Lise Bourgon, Acting Canadian Military Personnel Command, and Sophie Martel (ADM(IM))
Indigenous Peoples: LGen. Jocelyn Paul Commander of Canadian Army and Rob Chambers (ADM(IE)).
Visible minorities: Cmdr. Jacques Olivier, Director of General Professional Conduct and Development (DGPCD), and Natasha Kim (Associate DM).
Official Languages: MGen. Simon Bernard, Chief of Staff CJOC, and Genevieve Binet (ADM(PA)).

New to the team this year is BGen. James Hawthorne for 2SLGBTQI(Plus). MGen. Simon Bernard continues on as EEDI Defence Team Champion for Official Languages

EEDI Defence Team Champions’ Focus

According to the CANFORGEN, EEDI Defence Team Champions are responsible for working both within the CAF and DND to work on policies and programs of EEDI.

“They are driven by a vision and are energized to motivate others to contribute to positive outcomes in the areas of EEDI,” noted CANFORGEN.

However, the CDS and Deputy Minister of DND both stressed the aim of EEDI should be carried out by all leaders and managers from across the Defence Team.

“As the Defence Team continues to evolve the culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organization. Both the CAF and DND will be strengthened as a national institution and be more representative of the country that the defence team members honourable serve,” added the CANFORGEN.

Questions about the CAF Employment Equity Program can be directed at AT: (PLUS)NDHQ DI OTTAWA(AT)CPCC DI(AT)OTTAWA-HULL [+NDHQ DI OTTAWA@CPCC DI@Ottawa-Hull].

Questions about the DND Employment Equity Program should be directed to AT: (PLUS PLUS)DIVERSITY-DIVERSITE(AT)ADM(HR-CIV) DDWB(AT)OTTAWA-HULL [++Diversity-diversite@ADM(HR-Civ) DDWB@Ottawa-Hull].