Canada's new top military leader says fixing 'fragile' morale one of his top priorities

The Canadian Armed Forces' new and permanent top commander says there will be enormous consequences if the military fails to revamp its culture and restore the morale of its members.

"If we don't get this right, our ability to deliver operationally for Canada is going to be compromised," said Gen. Wayne Eyre.

"Fixing those aspects of the culture absolutely has to be our top priority."

Eyre made the comments during a Sunday appearance on CBC's Rosemary Barton Live, just days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him as Canada's permanent chief of the defence staff.

Eyre had held that title on an acting basis since February. He took on the role after his predecessor, Admiral Art McDonald, voluntarily stepped down after learning he was under investigation for sexual misconduct.

Military police later determined there was insufficient evidence to charge McDonald.

Allegations of sexual misconduct have ripped through the force's senior ranks.

Since early February 2021, 11 senior Canadian military leaders — current and former — have been sidelined, investigated or forced into retirement from some of the most powerful and prestigious posts in the defence establishment.

Eyre said fallout from the ongoing misconduct crisis has badly damaged morale.

"To be completely honest, I would assess the state of the Canadian Armed Forces as being fragile," Eyre said. He said the current state of morale is the worst he has experienced since becoming a senior commander.

Eyre cited numerous initiatives and ideas that he said could restore trust in the ranks and make the military seem like a more appealing employer to prospective recruits.

Eyre said he wants to see the military adopt a more transparent and thorough process for recruitment and promotion, which could extend to giving subordinates input when leaders are chosen.

Eyre also said changes to the dress code are possible, and suggested "Western European" dress standards may be harming inclusion efforts.

"We no longer recruit from a homogeneous recruiting pool where everybody looks the same, comes from the same backgrounds," he said. "We have to be much more inclusive of all segments of Canadian society."