Jennie Carignan appointed as Canada’s first female Defense Chief

Americas, News July 4, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the appointment of Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This landmark appointment makes Carignan the first woman in Canada’s history to lead the CAF.

Lieutenant-General Carignan’s military career spans over 35 years, marked by numerous pioneering achievements and significant contributions to Canada’s defense. She has commanded two Combat Engineer Regiments and the 2nd Canadian Division, leading over 10,000 soldiers during crisis operations such as flood relief efforts in Quebec.

In 2008, Carignan became the first woman in CAF history to command a combat arms unit and she was deployed to Afghanistan the following year. Her extensive international experience also includes deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Syria, and she led NATO Mission Iraq from 2019 to 2020, where she played a crucial role in strengthening Iraqi security institutions and forces.

After Carignan was appointed the military chief, Canada became the second NATO member state to have a female commander in the highest military office. In 2018, Slovenia became the first-ever NATO member state to appoint a woman as head of its army when Major General Alenka Ermenc took up the post of chief of staff.

Prime Minister Trudeau expressed confidence in Carignan’s ability to lead the CAF through contemporary security challenges. “I congratulate Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan on her upcoming appointment. Over the course of her career, her exceptional leadership qualities, commitment to excellence, and dedication to service have been a tremendous asset to our Armed Forces. I am confident that, as Canada’s new Chief of the Defense Staff, she will help Canada be stronger, more secure, and ready to tackle global security challenges,” he stated.

Canadian Army Jennie Carignan — ^{Major-General Jennie Carignan, the departing Commander of NATO Mission Iraq, speaks about her experiences to members of Joint Task Force IMPACT at Camp Canada, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on November 25, 2020. (Image Credit: MCpl J.W.S Houck/Canadian Forces)}

Bill Blair, Canada’s Minister of National Defense, also praised Carignan’s appointment, highlighting her extensive experience and proven track record. “Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan has served Canada with great distinction both at home and abroad. Her extensive experience makes her the right person to lead the Canadian Armed Forces through emerging security challenges – and I am confident in the future of this crucial institution under her leadership.”

In her new role, Carignan will oversee the CAF’s operations domestically and internationally, focusing on defending the continent, including the Arctic, providing disaster relief, and strengthening NATO’s collective defense. Her appointment comes at a crucial time, with the Canadian military working to address issues of misconduct and adapting to new security threats.

Carignan’s appointment is seen as a significant step forward for gender equality within the military. Fully bilingual and a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, she holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Laval University, along with a Master in Military Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

She will officially take over as Chief of the Defense Staff at a Change of Command ceremony on July 18, 2024. As she steps into this pivotal role, Carignan’s leadership is expected to steer the CAF towards greater inclusivity and readiness in addressing global security challenges.