By Karen Breeck MD, MHSc, CD – Federation of Medical Women of Canada Member
In 2019, I published “#WPSAdvice: Lead by Example,” urging Canada to honour its Women, Peace and Security (WPS) commitments — starting with its own military.
Six years later, the question remains:
What’s actually changed?
#WPSAdvice2019: Lead by example
By Karen Breeck CD, MHSc, MD, Federation of Medical Women of Canada Women, Peace and Security Committee Member
Canada has made bold commitments to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda that we encourage the next government, regardless of party, to continue. The specific advice offered is for Canada to “lead by example”. Canadian women in uniform are still waiting for their government to ensure an equitable (which is not the same as equal) work environment. Leadership in WPS must first be seen at home for Canadian uniformed women, before Canada can hold itself up with integrity as the standard to which other nations should be modelling themselves after.
When women were first integrated into the operational side of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), they were expected to conform to the already existing system that had, of course, been designed by men for men. This male bias can be found in everything from military customs and traditions, to military uniforms and equipment, to expected leadership styles and rewarded behaviours, to research and health care priorities.
(more…)So, what has actually changed since this article was written in 2019?
Some names have shifted — Op HONOUR issues are now handled by the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) but many systemic challenges remain.
CAF’s barrier assessment happened but failed to meaningfully address women’s operational health support needs.
A few government-funded research studies into operational women’s health have begun, but overall remain under-resourced and without strategic coordination.
In 2023, Veterans Affairs Canada joined the Canadian National Action Plan –but clear action items in their Implementation Plan remain hard to see.
In short: yes, there’s been progress — but it’s been slow, fragmented, and far from enough. If Canada is serious about reclaiming a global WPS leadership role, the time to lead is now.
Step one for government? Appoint Canada’s next WPS Ambassador — and provide the role with real authority, resources, and accountability.
Otherwise, six years from now, we’ll still be asking the same questions — and Canadian servicewomen and Veterans will still be waiting for their government to “lead by example”.
The views in this blog are those of the authors only and do not necessarily represent those of the WPSN-C or its membership.
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