Question:
What recommendations can we offer Madame Louise Arbour as she prepares to be sworn in on June 8, 2026, as Canada’s next Governor General and Commander-in-chief of Canada?
Answer:
In June 2021, the Military Woman column published “Louise Arbour: We Have Recommendations,” shortly after the former Supreme Court Justice was appointed to lead the Independent External Comprehensive Review into sexual misconduct and culture problems within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
That column urged Madame Arbour to listen to lived experience. It argued that the solutions the CAF needed would not come simply from changing legal systems or checking administrative boxes. Real change required addressing military culture and its effects on power, trust, and accountability.
As Madame Arbour prepares to become Canada’s next Governor General, our recommendation to her now is simple: use this new role to help ensure culture change continues.
From Review to Accountability
Canadians have endured years of reviews, reports, policy changes, apologies, and legislative reforms in response to military sexual misconduct. They have also seen a cycle of words and actions that has not yet restored institutional trust within the ranks or the public.
Madame Marie Deschamps’ 2015 report remains foundational to understanding military culture within the CAF. Madame Arbour, Madame Deschamps’ Supreme Court peer, followed with her own report in 2022. In response to her report recommendations, Bill C-11 would, among other things, remove CAF jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences alleged to have been committed in Canada and move those matters to the civilian justice system.
Given Canada’s constitutional system, Bill C-11 may soon receive Royal Assent from the Governor General Designate herself. Royal Assent is a constitutional function, exercised on the advice of government.
However, this specific case will carry unusual symbolic weight. The same woman who reviewed the military justice system may now formally approve the very legislation shaped by her own report’s recommendations.
The Role of the Governor General
As Governor General and Commander-in-chief, Her Excellency will not command troops in the field or rewrite or debate legislation. However, Governors General possess something arguably more important: non-partisan moral influence.
We know that military sexual misconduct will not be solved simply because a bill was passed.
As representative of the King and ceremonial head of the CAF, the Governor General can, however, convene conversations, elevate neglected issues, engage military communities, support research and education, recognize service, and encourage institutions to pursue culture, health, and wellbeing rather than minimal legal compliance.
As such, Royal Assent for Bill C-11 can mark the beginning, not the end, of institutional accountability for culture change beyond media headlines and political cycles.
From Implementation to Impact
Many serving members, Veterans, families, and other Canadians remain uncertain about Bill C-11. Will justice outcomes and supports for victims improve? Will impacted members experience less workplace retaliation? Will military culture change enough to improve belonging, inclusion, and professional trust? Will these reforms improve institutional trust?
These are not partisan questions. They are valid and important accountability questions.
Canadians have repeatedly been told that bold reforms are being implemented within DND/CAF. But implementation is not the same as impact.
Her Excellency can help ensure the true impact of these reforms matches the intent of her own report’s recommendations. The end goal is more than simply changing a law. True success requires a change to be felt by those who wear the uniform today.
Culture Is the Real Test
Royal Assent may make Bill C-11 law, but it will not, by itself, ensure culture change. That work must continue.
The CAF continues to face public confidence challenges despite improved recruitment numbers. Retention will be the real test: whether people feel respected, supported, valued, and able to build long-term military careers.
Justice Deschamps named the importance of culture in the military more than a decade ago. Meaningful institutional learning requires continuity, not selective memory.
So perhaps the best recommendation we can offer the incoming Governor General is this:
Please use the non-partisan moral influence of your new office to help ensure military reform is judged not by how many recommendations were closed, but by whether trust, safety, justice, and dignity have improved for all those who serve.
