Canadian Forces publishing new ethos in wake of sexual misconduct crisis: ‘Trusted to Serve’

The change comes in the wake of a year that saw the Canadian Forces leadership under fire in what has repeatedly been called a "crisis" of sexual misconduct by senior leaders.

The Canadian military is poised to publish key changes to the document that outlines the core expectations and values for those it is training for leadership.

That change comes in the wake of a year that saw the Canadian Forces leadership under fire in what has repeatedly been called a “crisis” of sexual misconduct by senior leaders.

“We’re about to publish a revised military ethos called Trusted to Serve,” said Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the defence staff, during an appearance at the House of Commons defence committee on Wednesday.

He said the revisions will focus on emphasizing character as a vital consideration when picking future leaders, along with explicitly stating that inclusivity must be a core factor as well.

“Previously we’d focused on competence. Still very important but even more so: character,” Eyre said.

“Character has to lead, competence can follow.”

The current military ethos is “duty with honour,” based on the document of the same name that was first published in 2003 and served as what the Department of National Defence called the “cornerstone document” for the military’s professional development programs.

That program and process, however, has been in the spotlight since Global News first reported in February 2021 about allegations of sexual misconduct against top leaders in the Canadian Forces.