Jennie Carignan officially takes command of the Canadian army

Photo: Justin Tang The Canadian Press Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) shakes hands with General Jennie Carignan (center) during the change of command ceremony for the Canadian Armed Forces on Thursday at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

The Canadian Press in Ottawa

Published yesterday at 3:32 p.m.

• Canada

Jennie Carignan officially took command of the Canadian Armed Forces Thursday morning during a ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

The lieutenant general was also promoted to the rank of general during the change of command ceremony.

Ms. Carignan was selected by the federal government to become Canada's first female Chief of Defense Staff.

She is no stranger to firsts, while she was also the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian army.

During her career, she was deployed to Iraq, in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Syria.

For three years, she has held the position of Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture, a position created following the sexual misconduct scandal in 2021.

“I feel ready, prepared and supported to take on this multifaceted challenge,” launched Ms. Carignan during the ceremony, with dignitaries including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon.

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“I therefore approach my mandate as Chief of Defense Staff with confidence. Confidence in our team, in our partners and in Canadians. We have what it takes,” she said.

“As Chief of Staff, my expectations of you are simple: always do your best, stick together, work together, and be a positive influence within our institution, across the country, and around the world. My promise to you in return is to always do the same. »

His predecessor as chief of defense staff, General Wayne Eyre, is expected to retire from the Armed Forces later this summer after leading the army for about three years.

Ms. Carignan thanked him for his “renewed sense of duty” that the forces found under his leadership – and for the “well marked path” that he left for her.

Mr. Eyre closed his term earlier in the ceremony with his own remarks.

“We know it is time to leave while the majority of military platforms that we served on are here in a museum,” he joked, making the attendees laugh.

Mr. Eyre said the circumstances in which he rose to the position were “not ideal,” and recalled that Mr. Trudeau described the situation he inherited as shitty.

The soldier thanked the leaders for giving him the chance to serve and witness history in the highest position in the Canadian army.

“The security situation is not improving and we will continue to face multiple crises, often one on top of the other,” Eyre said, noting the significant threats that the war in Ukraine and online disinformation continue to pose.

“To play our part in the free world, we must be at our maximum capability and readiness, and by doing so, employ maximum deterrence to confront this threat.”

It will take the whole of government and all of society to support the military’s urgent mission, he said, to ensure that happens. Carignan brings “very relevant experience” to her role, Eyre said. “You are ready to take on this role that you fully deserve,” he told her.

After the official transfer of power, Mr. Trudeau thanked Mr. Eyre, saying he was “the right person to help lead Canada through incredibly difficult times.”

He praised Ms. Carignan as someone who was well-suited to take over and noted that she was the first woman to lead the military of a G20 country.

“You have demonstrated time and time again your ability to lead with strength and flexibility,” Mr. Trudeau said. “You have shown tremendous agility, vision and courage.”