Canadian Forces to repeal ‘duty to report’ in latest sexual misconduct reform
Global News
The Canadian Armed Forces are repealing a policy known as the 'duty to report' to give victims of sexual misconduct and harassment more control in the reporting process.
The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces are beginning the process of repealing regulations known as the “duty to report” as part of cultural reforms following the sexual misconduct crisis.
The longstanding regulations require military members to report any kind of misconduct that violates the military code of service to the relevant authorities. And while intended to promote order and discipline, the rule has been highly criticized for how it applies in forcing reporting of sexual misconduct even if the survivors and victims may not want to report.
In retired Supreme Court of Canada justice Louise Arbour’s external review of the CAF’s handling of sexual misconduct, spurred by months of exclusive Global News reporting, she called for the repeal of the duty to report due to the potential to harm victims.
“Sexual assault survivors weigh their options. If they choose to remain silent, they do not have to fear further punishment or face unwelcome exposure if others inform on their predicament against their wishes,” Arbour wrote in her report.
In a media briefing, Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan said the military carefully examined this recommendation and found that the duty to report can bring unintended harm to victims of abuse and harassment.
“We never want the stress of reporting to prevent someone from getting the care and support that they need,” she said.
“Our intent will always be the timely treatment of all forms of misconduct in a fair and equitable way.”
Carignan added that while Arbour’s report recommended an exemption in the duty to report regulations for sexual misconduct, it was ultimately decided to fully repeal the policy so other issues of harassment, like hateful conduct, are also not subject to it.
It's been proposed if the score remains even after overtime, it would be decided by alternating plays from the opposition's three-yard line until one scores and the other doesn't.
François Legault made the announcement at the national assembly of Quebec on Wednesday as October’s provincial election approaches.
Crombie announced she would resign back in September after a weak show of support for the leader at the Ontario Liberal convention on the back of a third-place election finish.
The O'Neills are at the centre of a Charter of Rights challenge, now before the B.C. Supreme Court, that seeks to end the practice of so-called "forced transfers."
The former Manwin Hotel, which has been vacant for about a year, is the scene of a major fire, though crews say the cause is not yet known.
A major issue this week will be China's heavy tariffs on pork, canola and seafood, which were imposed after Ottawa ordered tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.
Despite data saying otherwise, Kelowna, B.C. business owners say break and enters, thefts and property crime are through the roof.
Kelowna is flooded with empty condo and rental units, with the city's vacancy rate now the highest in all of Canada at more than six per cent.
Producers in Saskatchewan say they are feeling optimistic ahead of Premier Scott Moe joining Prime Minister Mark Carney on his trip to China this week.
The Daily Bread Food Bank is alleging a misuse of funds at Feed Scarborough and cutting the agency from its network at the end of January.
Life expectancy at birth in Canada increased for the second consecutive year in 2024, with women living longer on average than men, Statistics Canada said.
SiRT is investigating a shooting involving members of the RCMP that resulted in the death of a man from Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia on Tuesday morning.
Trump made the comments as he toured a Ford Motor Co. factory in Dearborn, Michigan, ahead of a speech on the economy he was scheduled to deliver in Detroit.