Minister of National Defence Announces Colleges Review Board

Article shared from Canadian Military Family Magazine – https://www.cmfmag.ca/policy/minister-of-national-defence-announces-colleges-review-board/

Following Justice Louise Arbour’s Independent External Comprehensive Review (IECR) Report, the Minister of National Defence announced a new Military Colleges Review Board.

Minister Bill Blair announced the Board and its mandate on Dec. 6, 2023, the Board will follow up on Recommendation 28 and the first part of Recommendation 29 of the IECR Report.

Comprised of five external education and culture experts and two Department of National Defence members, the board has a year to analyze the benefits, advantages and disadvantages to the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada regarding continuing to educate Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) naval/officer cadets in Canada’s two military colleges.

Obligation to Provide Environment to Reach Potential

“We have an obligation to provide our people with environments where they can reach their full potential – and external perspectives are valuable in achieving this goal. The review of the Canadian military colleges will enable meaningful culture change at these institutions and is an important milestone in our work to build a Canadian Armed Forces where all members feel protected, respected, and empowered to serve,” said the Minister in a press release.

The board “will focus specifically on reviewing the current quality of education, socialization and military training at the colleges and consider and assess different education and training models. Employing a documented, evidence-based approach, and following broad consultation with subject matter experts both in Canada and abroad, the Board will make a recommendation on whether the military colleges should continue in their current form or in a different form,” noted the release.

Review of Board’s Mission

The board will also examine whether the Cadet Wing’s responsibility and authority command structure should be modified or discontinued as a leadership practice.

“Historically, military colleges have played an important role in the education of officers, both in Canada and amongst allies and partner nations around the world. The CMCRB has a large and important task ahead of it. We look forward to hearing their recommendations as we work to ensure our military colleges continue to develop the future leaders we need for the increasingly dangerous security environment,” said Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre.

Review Board Selection Process

The press release noted that 175 Canadian education and culture specialists applied for the five external DND/CAF board positions.

A consultative process, led by the assistant deputy minister (human resources-civilian), was used to select the departmental executive, with the military representative chosen through the regular General Officer/Flag Officer selection process.

The five external education and culture members were selected for their range of perspectives and backgrounds, along with their independence and impartiality.

Review Board Members

Holding a Ph.D. in social work, Dr. Kathy Hogarth chairs the review board. She is supported by:

• Dr. Chantal Beauvais, a young adult socialization expert;
• Mr. Michael Goldbloom, a culture evolution expert;
• Dr. Renée Légaré, an executive expert;
• Dr. Martin Maltais, an academic expert;
• Ms. Suneeta Millington, a DND executive and
• Colonel Kyle Solomon, military representative.

“Throughout this work we will be consulting widely, both in Canada and abroad, as well as talking to current and former Canadian Armed Forces members with lived experience at the military colleges. We look forward to the challenge and opportunity presented to us as educators, cultural advisors and subject matter experts,” stated Dr. Kathy Hogarth, Chairperson, Canadian Military Colleges Review Board, in a press release.

Recommendation 29

As per Recommendation 29, the press release noted the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) has engaged with both college authorities to address long-standing cultural concerns at the military colleges.

The CPCC “works to unify and integrate all associated culture change activities across the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).”

The concerns include:

• misogyny,
• discrimination, and
• sexual misconduct.

In her report, Madame Arbour recommended an Exit Survey for graduating cadets, which has been adopted. The survey aims to capture cadets’ experiences with sexual misconduct or discrimination. The survey’s findings, having been conducted a few months ago, are currently being analyzed.

Founded in 1874, The Royal Military College opened its doors to the first class of 18 officer cadets on June 1, 1876. The CAF has two military colleges, Royal Military College (RMC) Kingston and RMC Saint-Jean. Both colleges are undergraduate and graduate degree-granting institutions.

Review Board Members’ Bios

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces provided the following board members’ bios.

Chairperson – Dr. Kathy Hogarth

Dr. Kathy Hogarth holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has more than 20 years’ experience as an adult-education specialist at the University of Waterloo, Renison University College, King’s University College, York University and Wilfrid Laurier University, specifically in the roles of professor, lecturer, dean, and special advisor on anti-racism and inclusivity. Dr. Hogarth’s most recent position was Associate Vice President, Global Strategy at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is a published author in numerous academic journals in the areas of social work, psychology, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion. Dr. Hogarth has spoken widely at national and international conferences on the topics of racial representation, multiculturalism, and the lived experiences of racialized peoples in Canada.

Culture Evolution Expert – Mr. Michael Goldbloom

Mr. Michael Goldbloom, C.M. served as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop’s University from August 2008 to July 2023. Before that, he was Vice-Principal Public Affairs at McGill University. He began his professional career as a labour lawyer and was subsequently President of the YMCA de Montreal. Mr. Goldboom has extensive experience in Canada’s news industry, initially as a journalist and editorial writer and subsequently as Publisher of The Gazette in Montreal and of the Toronto Star. In 2013, he received the Order of Canada in recognition of his work in building bridges between Montreal’s English- and French-speaking communities. He is experienced in institutional leadership, strategic planning, labour relations, governance, government relations, equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, finance and risk management. Mr. Goldbloom has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of CBC/Radio-Canada since 2018.

Young Adult Socialization Expert – Dr. Chantal Beauvais

Dr. Chantal Beauvais has 20 years’ experience in university management, most recently as Rector at the University of Saint-Paul, where she was responsible for implementing the strategic vision of the university, including transformative change in its day-to-day operations. As a professor of philosophy, she relaunched the faculty and department by creating new programs in philosophy and ethics. Dr. Beauvais also established a partnership with the First Nations Education Council of Quebec that led to the co-creation and co-delivery of an undergraduate certificate in First Nations Leadership. She has experience in university governance, including as past Chair of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean Board of Governors and is involved in public sector associations and committees focused on social integration and the accessibility of higher education to marginalized people. She sits on several boards of directors, including the Gîte-Ami in Gatineau, a community organization that works with disadvantaged people.

Executive Expert – Dr. Renée Légar

Dr. Renée Légaré is a human resources executive with over 25 years of experience in various industries, including healthcare, security, transportation and education. Her background is in talent development and management, behaviour and change management practices, and organizational development and design. As the Executive Vice-President and Chief Human Resources Officer at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Légaré built a responsive and agile human resources department responsible for 12,000 employees and oversaw the performance and engagement of more than 15,500 staff working at more than 19 locations. Her speciality is performance management and culture change, specifically as it relates to health and safety, retention, reward and recognition and staff morale. Dr. Légaré’s most recent work is with the Telfer School of Management as a seconded professor in leadership development.

Academic Expert – Dr. Martin Maltais

Dr. Martin Maltais holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Evaluation from the Université Laval in Québec City. Prior to joining the CMCRB, he was a professor of financing and education policies at the Lévis campus of the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR). Author of several reports and research projects, he has experience in the development of higher education, research and digital policies. Dr. Maltais was a member of the Council of Directors and served on the executive committee of UQAR. He holds other membership roles at various Canadian university governing bodies and is a visiting research fellow at international universities in Europe and the United States.

 

DND Public Service Executive – Ms. Suneeta Millington

Ms. Suneeta Millington studied humanities at the University of Calgary before obtaining her Juris Doctor from the University of Western Ontario. She joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 2006 and was called to the Bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Barrister & Solicitor in 2007. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, Ms. Millington has experience in international peace and security, international law, multilateral negotiation and diplomacy, organizational management, and corporate governance. She has held a range of positions in Canada and abroad, including at the UN in New York and Geneva; Global Affairs Canada headquarters; CAF Office of the Judge Advocate General; Canadian Special Operations Forces Command; and International Security Policy at DND. Most recently, she served as Director of Operations at the Privy Council Office, providing advice and support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet in relation to Foreign & Defence Policy.

Military Representative – Colonel Kyle Solomon

Colonel 20849 Kyle Solomon, RMC 1997,  is an Army Engineer who graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Kingston in 1997 with a degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering. He has command experience at the Troop, Squadron, Unit and Formation levels and broad staff experience across DND/CAF. He has international deployments to Kosovo and Afghanistan and domestic operations experience in Quebec. Colonel Solomon is a registered Professional Engineer and holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering, a Master’s Degree in Military Arts and Science, and a Master of Business Administration. He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies. Before his secondment to the CMCRB, he was the Commandant of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College.

Read our sixth RMC Alumni Association response update here.