By Canadian Press

Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan named Canada’s newest chief of the defence staff

Jul 3, 2024 | 6:14 AM

OTTAWA — The federal government says it is naming Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan as defence chief, making her the first woman to hold the Canadian Armed Forces’ top job.

Carignan is currently the military’s chief of professional conduct and culture, a job created in the wake of the sexual misconduct crisis.

Several high-ranking leaders were forced to step down from their posts after they were accused of sexual misconduct in 2021, prompting a damning external report that called for culture change.

During her 38-year military career, Carignan became the first woman to lead a combat force in the Canadian military.

She received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Governor General’s Order of Military Merit, and her deployments included Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq.

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Carignan is set to officially take over command of the Armed Forces in a ceremony on July 18, when she will replace retiring defence chief Gen. Wayne Eyre.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2024.

The Canadian Press