Canada made history as Gen. Jennie Carignan became the first woman to lead the Canadian Armed Forces. The official change of command ceremony took place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, where Carignan assumed the role of the top commander.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted the significance of this appointment, noting that Carignan is the first woman to head the military of any G20 or G7 country. He emphasized the importance of this milestone in paving the way for gender equality and inspiring women worldwide.
During the ceremony, Carignan was promoted to the rank of general, marking another milestone in her career. Trudeau commended her qualifications and leadership abilities, underscoring the historic nature of her appointment.
Carignan's impressive career includes several notable achievements, such as being the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian military. She has also served in various deployments to conflict zones like Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Syria.
In recent years, Carignan held the position of chief of professional conduct and culture, a role established in response to a sexual misconduct scandal in 2021. She expressed gratitude for the promotion, emphasizing her readiness for the new responsibilities.
As the new head of the Canadian Armed Forces, Carignan outlined her priorities, focusing on recruitment and retention within the military. This appointment comes at a crucial time for Canada, as the country faces pressure from NATO allies to meet defense spending targets.
The Canadian government has committed to reaching the NATO defense spending goal of 2% of GDP by 2032, although specific plans to achieve this target are yet to be detailed.
