Message from the Ombudsman (March 26, 2012)

Visit to 14 Wing CFB Greenwood

We are pleased to be travelling to 14 Wing Greenwood during the week of March 26th as part of our ongoing effort to reach out to the members of Canada's Defence community where they live and work.
 

It has been an extraordinary decade for 14 Wing. The men and women at Atlantic Canada’s largest Air Force base have helped to ensure Canada’s sovereignty through regular surveillance missions over the Atlantic Ocean. They have saved the lives of many Canadians with their professional and determined search and rescue activities. And they have contributed to countless other domestic and international operations, including the campaign against terrorism and the recent mission in Libya.
 

But this high operational tempo has been challenging and has taken a toll.
 

During our visit to 14 Wing, we will meet with military members from various ranks and occupations, their families, caregivers and civilian employees to talk about the issues affecting them and to offer our assistance should they have any problems or concerns related to National Defence or the Canadian Forces.
 

Our visit will begin on Tuesday with a meeting with Wing chaplains, followed in the afternoon with a town hall with Junior Non-Commissioned Members. After that, we will be meeting with the Wing medical staff.
 

On Wednesday we will hold two town hall meetings, one with Senior Non-Commissioned Members and one with Officers from all units at Greenwood. We will also be meeting with social workers, staff of the Integrated Personnel Support Centre and, later that evening, with the spouses and families of military members.
 

On Thursday we will host our last town hall with civilian employees at the Wing and we will also spend time with the staff from the Military Family Resource Centre, who play such an important role in assisting and supporting Canadian Forces members and their families.
 

We look forward to our time in Greenwood and, in particular, to meeting with the families of our Canadian Forces personnel, who sacrifice so much for their loved ones and their country. Ensuring their fair treatment and overall well-being is a key priority for me and our office.
 

I invite anyone who has a concern with the way in which they have been treated by the Department or the Canadian Forces to speak to us while we are visiting.
 

Pierre Daigle
Ombudsman