Statement made on 12 March 2009 by Senator Lucie Pépin (retired)
Hon. Lucie Pépin:
Honourable senators, on March 8, the Saint-Malo Armoury in Quebec City was the site of a very special swearing-in ceremony. It was International Women's Day, and military women were in the spotlight.
During the ceremony, 35 recruits, seven of them women, took the oath that marked the beginning of their careers in the Canadian Forces. I attended the event together with the Honourable Josée Verner, Lieutenant-Colonel Jennie Carignan, commander of the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment and Major Marie Leclerc, commanding officer of the Quebec City recruitment centre.
By dedicating the swearing-in ceremony to women, the Forces focused attention on advances in the integration of women into Canada's military family. Times have indeed changed. One after the other, barriers are falling. It is now easier and more rewarding for women to choose a military career.
Women are going to the front lines to take part in the action. They are soldiers, officers and general officers. They serve in all trades, on all bases, in all squadrons, and on all ships and submarines.
Most recently, it was announced that Captain Karen Soria has become the first female rabbi in the Canadian Forces. Despite the fact that they are in a mostly masculine environment, the military women I have met seem well-adjusted, fulfilled and comfortable.
This is because appropriate measures have been taken to create a more consistently open and progressive army. Trainers have been given clear guidelines about diversity in the workplace.
Physical standards have been adjusted to take the differences between individuals into account. The members of Canada's Armed Forces, whether male or female, all undergo the same integrated training and meet the same academic standards.
Uniforms and equipment have been modified to ensure that women have the same level of protection and comfort as their male colleagues.
Policies now enable both women and men in uniform to achieve a balance between military service and family responsibilities. Naturally, there are still improvements to be made in this area.
We congratulate the military authorities on having created a solid foundation to facilitate the integration of women. I believe that in years to come, more and more women will take an interest in careers in the military.