Five members of the Women Veterans Council within the Canadian Armed Forces have resigned due to what they perceive as a lack of necessary conditions to facilitate meaningful and impactful work. The council, consisting of 12 members, was established following a recommendation in the 2024 Invisible No More Report, which highlighted the neglect of female veterans’ unique medical and physical requirements by military and veterans programs.
Jessica Miller, a CAF member who departed from the council, expressed concerns about the persistence of sex-based discrimination within the government and Canadian Forces, emphasizing the inadequate attention given to the Invisible No More report. In an open letter to the Canadian women veterans community, the departing members outlined issues such as the absence of a clear mandate, effective community engagement mechanisms, decision-making influence, and dedicated resources.
Miller, a retired sergeant from Sweets Corner, N.S., shared that the council initially showed promise in addressing long-standing areas of neglect affecting women veterans, including improved equipment, disability support, and reproductive health services. However, frustrations grew as communication with government officials yielded no tangible results, leading to a sense of disillusionment among the council members.
Despite their expertise and commitment, the council members faced restrictions, including the inability to engage with the broader veterans community due to non-disclosure agreements. Miller highlighted the challenges in conveying important messages to the community and expressed disappointment over the lack of meaningful interaction with serving members and veterans.
Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, Jill McKnight, acknowledged the contributions of the departing council members and expressed a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by women veterans. Conservative MP Blake Richards noted a concerning trend of CAF members leaving advisory roles, emphasizing the need for action to address the issues raised by the departing council members.