Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Comité permanent des comptes publics

For immediate release

Ottawa, March 22, 2019 -

Launched in August 2015, Operation HONOUR signaled a directive from Canada’s military leadership to change the culture in the Forces and stop inappropriate sexual behaviour. However, although it increased awareness of inappropriate sexual behaviour within the Forces, the Operation had a fragmented approach to victim support as well as unintended consequences that slowed its progress, according to a report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented today by the Honorable Kevin Sorenson, Chair of the Committee.

In the fall of 2018, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada released a performance audit whose purpose was to determine whether the Canadian Armed Forces adequately responded to inappropriate sexual behaviour through actions to respond to and support victims, as well as to understand and prevent such behaviour. The audit found that although the number of complaints increased substantially in the two years after the implementation of Operation HONOUR, members did not always feel safe and supported. Additionally, the duty to report all incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour increased the number of cases reported by a third party, even if the victim was not ready to come forward at that time. Furthermore, the Forces did not adequately monitor the Operation’s effectiveness and the information collected on incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour was of poor quality.

As part of its report on this audit, the Committee has made seven recommendations to ensure the senior leadership of the Forces addresses these matters, so that its members—who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for Canada—are getting the services and support they deserve.