In a historic ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, General Jennie Carignan took command as Canada’s first female Chief of Defense Staff, replacing General Wayne Eyre, who served in the position since 2021.
This appointment marks a significant milestone, not only for Canada but also globally, as Carignan becomes the first woman to lead the military in any G7 or G20 country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced her appointment, emphasized her exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to excellence throughout her 35-year career in the Canadian Army.
Carignan’s distinguished career includes commanding troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Syria. Her promotion to the rank of general during the change-of-command ceremony reflects her extensive experience and readiness to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces. “I feel ready, poised, and supported to take on this manifold challenge,” Carignan said, highlighting the global conflicts and internal issues she will need to address.
Addressing Complex Challenges
As the new Chief of Defense Staff, Carignan inherits a role laden with pressing global and domestic issues. “Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, heightened tensions elsewhere around the world, climate change, increased demands on our personnel at home and abroad, and threats to our democratic values and institutions are but a few of the complex challenges we need to adapt to and counter,” Carignan remarked. Her leadership comes at a pivotal moment when Canada faces international pressure to increase its defense spending, a commitment the government has pledged to fulfill by 2032.
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One of Carignan’s top priorities will be addressing the toxic culture within the armed forces, which was highlighted in a damning 2022 report that described the environment as hostile to women and conducive to serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault. For the past three years, Carignan has served as the chief of professional conduct and culture, a role created to tackle these very issues following a major sexual misconduct scandal in 2021. Her experience in this area will be crucial in driving cultural change within the military.
Inspiring a New Era
Carignan’s appointment is not just a personal achievement but a significant step forward for gender equality in the military. “That could create a model and a change in terms of what is possible for women,” Carignan said. She has consistently broken new ground, being the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian military and now leading the entire armed forces. Her leadership is expected to inspire future generations of women in Canada and beyond.
Prime Minister Trudeau, who has been a strong advocate for gender equality, praised Carignan during the ceremony. “You are the very first woman to ever become Chief of the Defense Staff in Canada, the very first in the G7 and the G20. You are a role model for all Canadians and the world,” he said. Trudeau’s government has made significant strides in promoting women to leadership roles, including appointing the first female head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2018 and maintaining a 50% female cabinet since 2015.
Carignan’s Goals and Priorities
Moving forward, Carignan aims to focus on recruitment and retention within the Canadian Armed Forces, which have faced challenges in attracting new talent. The military is also grappling with delays in modernizing outdated equipment, an issue that has drawn criticism from NATO allies. Carignan’s leadership will be instrumental in addressing these concerns and ensuring that Canada meets its defense commitments on the global stage.
“I’m ready for this. I’ve worked all of this time,” Carignan stated confidently. Her tenure as Chief of Defense Staff promises to be a transformative period for the Canadian Armed Forces, as she brings her extensive experience and dedication to service to the forefront of military leadership. With her at the helm, Canada is poised to become stronger, more secure, and better prepared to tackle global security challenges.
