Canada’s top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens’ role in combat units
Carignan, with 39 years of experience as a combat officer, expressed disbelief that in 2024, there was still a need to justify the role of women in military service.
Canada’s top general firmly opposed the idea of excluding women from combat roles, a stance put forward by Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, during a security forum in Halifax.
Gen. Jennie Carignan, the chief of defense staff, responded to comments made by Republican Senator James Risch at the Halifax International Security Forum regarding Peter Hegseth’s opposition to women serving in combat units.
Risch, when asked about Hegseth’s views, told the approximately 300 delegates that "the jury is still out" on how to address the "unique situations" posed by having women in combat. He added that the military should ultimately decide the matter.
Carignan, with 39 years of experience as a combat officer, expressed disbelief that in 2024, there was still a need to justify the role of women in military service. She added, drawing a standing ovation, that she didn’t want anyone to leave the forum thinking that women are “a distraction to defense and national security.”
Hegseth, a former military officer and regular Fox News commentator, has consistently argued that men and women should not serve together in combat units. In a November 7 podcast interview, he stated that the inclusion of women in combat roles has not made units more effective or lethal and has, in fact, complicated combat situations. While acknowledging that women have a place in the military, he believes they should be excluded from special operations, artillery, infantry, and armored units.
