Five members of the Women Veterans Council within the Canadian Armed Forces have resigned citing a lack of necessary institutional conditions to facilitate effective work. The council, consisting of 12 members, was established last year as per the recommendations in the 2024 Invisible No More Report. The report highlighted the neglect of female veterans’ unique medical and physical requirements by military and veterans programs.
According to Jessica Miller, one of the departing CAF members, there is still sex-based discrimination within the government and the Canadian Forces, with the Invisible No More initiative not receiving the serious attention it deserves. In an open letter to the Canadian women veterans community, the five resigning members expressed concerns about the absence of a clear mandate, effective engagement mechanisms, decision-making influence, and dedicated resources for the council’s intended role.
Miller, a retired sergeant from Sweets Corner, N.S., mentioned that the council initially showed promise in addressing long-standing neglect in areas such as women’s health, disabilities support, and equipment improvements. However, the members’ efforts to engage with serving members and veterans were hindered by non-disclosure agreements and lack of communication channels.
The departing members felt disillusioned by the council’s inability to translate its work into tangible outcomes and criticized the lack of collaboration and practical support. They raised issues about the restricted communication channels, including the inability to have a direct email address for community engagement.
Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight expressed gratitude for the council members’ contributions and highlighted the importance of addressing challenges faced by women veterans. Conservative MP Blake Richards noted a concerning pattern of CAF members leaving advisory roles, raising questions about the effectiveness and treatment of such councils.
The resignations underscore ongoing challenges in addressing gender-specific issues within the armed forces and veterans programs, signaling the need for more effective mechanisms to support and empower women veterans.
