Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan, the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, has declared her top priority as recruitment, aiming to address the personnel shortages facing the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Carignan takes the helm during a period marked by significant challenges, including a dysfunctional procurement system and a critical shortage of equipment and soldiers.
Carignan’s appointment marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to ever serve as Chief of Defence Staff in Canada, as well as the first woman to hold this position within the G7 and G20 nations. Trained as a combat engineer, Carignan has an extensive and distinguished military career, including leading NATO’s mission in Iraq and efforts to change the military’s culture following a sexual misconduct crisis.
Carignan inherits an understaffed and under-equipped military. According to internal defence documents, under 60 per cent of the military is ready to respond to a crisis, with almost half of the equipment deemed unserviceable. Additionally, there is a significant shortfall in staff, with close to 6,000 positions currently vacant.
During the change of command ceremony, Carignan expressed her commitment to leading the military with a focus on enhancing its human resources. “I’ve done this because I love it and I mostly love the people who are part of this and give generously of themselves every day,” she said. “This is what it means to me: I get to lead these fantastic people in very difficult times.”
Carignan’s predecessor, Gen. Wayne Eyre, highlighted the formidable nature of the role she is stepping into. Reflecting on his own tenure, Eyre recounted a conversation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had described the job in less-than-ideal terms. “You told me that to put it kindly, you gave me a turd sandwich,” Eyre recalled, to which he humorously replied, “Yes, sir, but you forgot the bread.”
Eyre added that Canada is currently in an “interwar or pre-war period,” emphasizing the urgency for the military to be ready for potential future conflicts. Carignan echoed this sentiment, stating her goal is to prepare Canada to fight within five years, with a primary focus on recruitment. “You need the people to crew all of these platforms,” she said. “The priority is to make sure that we welcome a whole range of Canadian expertise and quality people to ensure that we have the people we need.”
The new military chief acknowledged the significant work required to achieve these recruitment goals but conveyed a sense of determination and urgency. “We’ve got some work to do, but we’re doing that work now,” Carignan said. “We are all seized with a sense of urgency to get this done, but we also understand the importance of doing it right.”
Carignan’s new role also serves as a powerful symbol of progress and inclusion. “I’m going to get a little bit emotional here,” she admitted. “This new role is a sign to those excluded in the past that anything is possible.”
Leading the CAF through these challenging times will undoubtedly be a formidable task. “It’s not going to be easy, folks. I’m telling you there’s nothing that is going to be easy going,” Carignan candidly stated.
Carignan’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for the CAF. The military’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel will be crucial in addressing its operational capabilities and readiness. The path forward will not only depend on Carignan’s vision and leadership but also on the senior staff she appoints to support these efforts.