General Jennie Carignan assumed command as Canada’s chief of defence staff on Thursday, becoming the first woman to lead the country’s armed forces. The historic ceremony took place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
A distinguished military career
Carignan, a trained military engineer, brings 35 years of experience in the Canadian Army to her new role. She has commanded troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Syria. “I feel ready, poised, and supported to take on this manifold challenge,” Carignan stated during the ceremony.
Addressing global and domestic challenges
Carignan outlined the complex challenges the Canadian Armed Forces face, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, global tensions, climate change, and threats to democratic values and institutions. “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,” she said.
A new era of defence spending and modernization
Carignan succeeds General Wayne Eyre, who served as chief of defence staff since 2021. Her tenure begins as Canada aims to boost defence spending and modernize its military. Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to reach NATO’s defense-spending target of 2% of GDP by 2032. Government projections estimate Canada’s defence spending will be 1.39% of GDP in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Recruitment and equipment challenges
The Canadian Armed Forces are facing significant internal challenges, including meeting recruitment goals and updating outdated equipment. Last November, the navy chief warned that the service might not be able to fulfil its basic duties in 2024 due to critical conditions. “We’re facing many internal challenges such as recruitment and retention,” Carignan acknowledged. “We know the challenges we face and what we need to do to address them.”
Commitment to gender equality
Prime Minister Trudeau, who described Carignan as “a role model for all Canadians and for the world,” has been a strong advocate for gender equality since taking office in 2015. In 2018, he appointed Brenda Lucki as the first female head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The last two governors-general, Canada’s official representatives of the British monarchy, have also been women, both appointed by Trudeau. General Jennie Carignan’s historic appointment marks a significant milestone for the Canadian Armed Forces, setting a precedent for future generations.