HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Canada (AP) — The first woman to command Canada’s military criticized a U.S. senator Saturday for questioning the role of women in combat.
Gen. Jennie Carignan responded to comments made by Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was asked Friday whether President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary , Pete Hegseth, should retract comments in which he stated that men and women should not serve together in combat units.
“I think someone would be delusional if they didn’t believe that women in combat create unique situations that must be addressed. I think it remains to be seen how to do that,” Risch said during a panel session at the Halifax International Security Forum on Friday.
Carignan, Canada’s chief of defense staff and the first woman to command the armed forces of any Group of 20 or Group of Seven country, disputed those comments during a panel session on Saturday.
“If I may, I would like to first respond to Senator Risch’s statement yesterday regarding women in combat because I do not want anyone to leave this forum with the idea that women are a distraction to defense and national security,” Carignan said.
“After 39 years of career as a combat arms officer and risking my life in many operations around the world, I cannot believe that in 2024, we still have to justify the contribution of women to their defense and their service, in their country . “I don’t want anyone to leave this forum with the idea that this is some kind of social experiment.”
Carignan said women have participated in combat for hundreds of years but have never been recognized for fighting for their country. He pointed to the female military personnel present in the room.
“All the women here in uniform, who decided to go into danger and fight for their country, need to be recognized for doing so,” she said. “So, again, this is the distraction, not the women themselves.”
Carignan received a standing ovation at the forum, which attracts defense and security officials from Western democracies.
Hegseth has reignited a debate that many thought had long been resolved: Should women be allowed to serve their country fighting on the front lines?
The former Fox News commentator made it clear, in his own book and in interviews, that he believes men and women should not serve together in combat units. If Hegseth is confirmed by the Senate, he could seek to end the Pentagon’s nearly decade-old practice of making all combat jobs open to women.
Hegseth’s statements have generated an avalanche of praise and condemnation.
Carignan was promoted to the rank of general during a change of command ceremony this past summer, after being chosen by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to become Canada’s first female defense chief.
Carignan is no stranger to being first. She was also the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian military, and her career has included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Syria.
For the past three years, she has been the head of professional conduct and culture, a job created as a result of the 2021 sexual misconduct scandal.
His appointment this year comes as Canada continues to face criticism from NATO allies for not spending 2% of its gross domestic product on defense. The Canadian government recently said it would meet its commitment to NATO by 2032.
Risch said Friday that Trump would laugh at Canada’s current military spending plans and said the country must do more.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool.
**How can Canada’s experience with women in combat roles inform U.S. policy discussions regarding the potential expansion or restriction of women’s roles in the military?**
Here’s a potential interview outline, designed for a professional website audience interested in international affairs, military policy, and gender equality.
**Introduction:**
* Welcome viewers to the discussion and introduce the topic – the ongoing debate surrounding women in combat roles, ignited by recent comments from U.S. Senator Jim Risch.
* Briefly introduce our guests: General Jennie Carignan (Canada’s Chief of Defense Staff) and a guest with expertise in military policy and/or gender studies (to be selected).
**Section 1: Context & History:**
* **For General Carignan:** You’ve spoken eloquently about your decades of experience as a combat arms officer. Could you elaborate on the historical context of women serving in the military, and how perceptions have evolved over time?
* **For Policy Expert:** Senator Risch’s comments echo sentiments from some who argue that women in combat create “unique situations.” How do these arguments typically frame the issue of women in the military, and what evidence supports or refutes these claims?
**Section 2: The Canadian Experience:**
* **For General Carignan:** As the first woman to command Canada’s military, what unique challenges and opportunities have you encountered in this role?
* **For Both Guests:** General Carignan has stated that Canada’s experience demonstrates the viability of women serving in combat roles. How does Canada’s model potentially differ from the U.S. context, and could lessons be drawn from Canada’s approach?
**Section 3: Impact & Policy Implications:**
* **For Policy Expert:** Pete Hegseth’s nomination has reignited this debate in the U.S. What are the potential policy implications of restricting or expanding women’s roles in combat, both domestically and internationally?
* **For General Carignan:** How fear of potentially needing to ”justify” women’s contributions to national security affects strategic planning and military readiness?
**Section 4: Looking Forward:**
* **Open to Both Guests:** What would be your message to young women considering a career in the military in light of these ongoing debates?
* **Concluding Question:** How do you envision the conversation surrounding women in combat evolving in the coming years, both within individual nations and on the global stage?
**Additional Note for the Editor:**
* Encourage advanced prep to gather relevant statistics, historical examples, and diverse viewpoints from both guests.
* Consider incorporating visual elements like photos, maps, or infographics related to the topic to enhance the interview’s impact.
* Emphasize balanced and respectful discussion throughout the interview, allowing both guests ample opportunity to express their perspectives.
