First woman to lead Canada’s armed forces takes command: Details inside

OTTAWA: Canada witnessed a historic development as General Jennie Carignan became the country’s first female Chief of the Defense Staff.

General Carignan takes over from General Wayne Eyre, who has served as the Chief of the Armed Forces since 2021. During her service in the Canadian Army, she has led troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Iraq and Syria.

“I feel ready, prepared and supported to take on this multifaceted challenge,” Carignan said at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

“Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising tensions elsewhere around the world, climate change, increasing demands on our personnel at home and abroad, and threats to our democratic values ​​and institutions are just a few of the complex challenges we must adapt to.” And reciprocated,” the international media quoted Carignan as saying.

Recall that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month nominated Lt. Gen. Jenny Carignan as the first woman to lead the country’s military.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the time that “I am confident that as Canada’s new Chief of Defense Staff, she will help Canada become stronger, more secure and ready to meet global security challenges.”

General Carignan, a highly decorated soldier, is the mother of four children, two of whom are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.