Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units
CTV
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles — a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary — at a security forum underway in Halifax today.
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles — a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary — at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday.
Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of defence staff, was responding to Republican Senator James Risch's comments on Friday at the Halifax International Security Forum about Peter Hegseth's opposition to women in fighting units.
Asked about Hegseth's views, the Idaho senator told the roughly 300 delegates the "jury is still out" on how to deal with the "unique situations" that having women in combat creates. He added it was ultimately up to the U.S. military to decide on the issue.
Carignan took a few minutes to address the comments at the beginning of a panel on how western militaries are reacting to the challenge from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Her audience included a number of women in uniform.
"I wouldn't want anyone to leave this forum with this idea that women are a distraction to defence and national security," the general said.
"After 39 years of career as a combat arms officer and risking my life in many operations around the world I can't believe that in 2024 we still have to justify the contribution of women ... in the service of their country," she said to a standing ovation.
Hegseth, a former military officer who is a regular Fox News commentator, has said in his book and in interviews that he believes men and women should not serve together in combat units.
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