General Jennie Carignan Assumes Command as Chief of the Defence Staff

General Jennie Carignan officially assumed command of the Canadian Armed Forces on Thursday morning, becoming the first woman in Canadian history to lead the country’s military. The ceremony, held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, marked her promotion to the rank of general.

In her address, General Carignan expressed pride in leading the dedicated members of the Canadian Armed Forces, emphasizing the importance of unity and excellence in fulfilling their mission both domestically and globally.

Following the tenure of General Wayne Eyre, who held the position since 2021, General Carignan steps into the role amidst internal reforms and strategic challenges facing the military.

Having served for over 35 years, General Carignan brings a wealth of experience, having commanded combat engineering units and led missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, and Syria. Her leadership will be critical in addressing recruitment and retention challenges while navigating complex geopolitical issues in the Arctic and Europe.

Moreover, the Canadian Armed Forces are grappling with equipment shortages and heightened demand for disaster response, necessitating a strategic approach under General Carignan’s guidance.