National Defence

The committee met to receive a briefing from the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman, Mario Baril, who appeared alongside Director General Robyn Hynes, as part of a study on the office’s work and related issues.

Mario Baril, the new ombudsman, outlined his mandate to contribute to lasting improvements for the defence community, emphasizing the importance of a confidential and psychologically safe space for members, families, and now Canadian Coast Guard personnel. He identified key challenges including recruitment delays, low retention, housing shortages, health care access, and harassment, and noted that his office has not received a budget increase to cover the Coast Guard’s addition. Baril stressed the need for independence aligned with the Venice Principles and said he plans to visit bases starting in January to hear directly from constituents, while also working on a fall report reviewing progress on past recommendations for the reserve force.

Robyn Hynes detailed that the office receives over 2,500 contacts annually, with benefits being the most common issue, followed by release, medical, harassment, and recruitment. She noted that the new compensation package has been well received so far but that complaints may emerge later, and she highlighted the military benefits browser tool, which has had 11,000 visitors, as a successful collaboration to make information accessible. Hynes also reported progress on digitizing the grievance and health care complaint systems, though delays at final authority remain substantial, and she noted that the office conducts most investigations on its own motion, with only one minister-requested investigation in 11 years.