DEI, Gender & the Canadian Military - J.O. Michel Maisonneuve, Barbara Maisonneuve, & Mark Norman (Video)

This is a 1 August 2024 video.

Dr. Jordan Peterson sits down with J.O. Michel Maisonneuve, Barbara Anne Maisonneuve, and Mark Norman. They discuss the implementation of DEI policy in the Canadian Armed Forces, the move away from meritocracy, the overreaction to sexual misconduct — while acknowledging the existing problems — and the country’s loss of credibility on the world stage.

Lieutenant-General J.O. Michel Maisonneuve, CMM, MSC, CD is a former Canadian Army officer who has served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada and Chief of Staff of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk. He is also the 30th recipient of the Vimy Award.

Barbara joined the Canadian Armed Forces at 18, first as a Military Policeman, then graduated from the Royal Military College with a Bachelor’s degree into the Logistics branch. She proudly served 21 years sporting the light blue Royal Canadian Air Force uniform. After her service, Barbara chaired the Première Gala that raised funds and celebrated the reopening of the historic Westdale Theatre in Hamilton, and she has helped raise millions for our veterans and serving soldiers.

Mark Norman retired from the Royal Canadian Navy in the rank of Vice-Admiral in August of 2019 after over 39 years of service. Since retirement, Norman has applied his energy to a variety of pursuits including as Champion for the Royal Canadian Benevolent Fund, Senior Defense Strategist at Samuel Associates, Director at Genoa Designs, he also contributes frequently to the important debate about security and defense issues in Canada as both a fellow with the Global Affairs Institute and as a member of the Conference of Defence Associations Board. 

This episode was recorded on July 8th, 2024

https://youtu.be/o1Q2cW-WL_s

- Chapters - 

(0:00) Coming up
(0:36) Intro
(6:00) The state of Canada’s military: crisis
(19:21) Canada is undefended
(21:58) The strength of the Canadian military
(23:55) Global representation has changed for the worse
(27:22) The prime threats: a continuum of concerns
(30:30) Sexual misconduct, the radical “solutions” being imposed
(38:30) Off-duty discipline, letting off steam from high stress work
(45:26) How change occurs in a military institution
(47:47) How women adapt to the armed forces
(51:55) Men’s and women’s roles are not interchangeable
(56:24) Advantages of having women enlist
(59:22) Technical skills, physical requirements, and the ill-defined social aspects
(1:05:23) Jocko Willink, the role of the mentor
(1:06:58) Progressive ideals are at odds with the purpose of the institution
(1:09:21) Removing meritocracy demoralizes, the best predictor for military enlistment
(1:17:08) What senior leadership needs to do
(1:23:27) The short- and long-term consequences, “we are incapable of contributing”
(1:31:07) People are speaking out, but we need more
(1:34:23) Don’t allow politics to dissuade you from serving your country
(1:38:17) Security is the foundation of our global systems