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Staring straight into the camera, a visibly angry Australian Army commander tells his soldiers that he will take no prisoners when it comes to the mistreatment of women in uniform.

“I will be ruthless in ridding the army of people who cannot live up to its values,” Lt.-Gen. David Morrison warns in a stern voice. “And I need every one of you to support me in achieving this.”

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Morrison’s video, posted online in June 2013, has been viewed 1.5 million times. It’s the type of message from the top that opposition politicians in Canada, and those who work on preventing sexual crimes, say is absolutely necessary – but sorely missing – from attempts to eliminate sexual misconduct in Canada’s military.

“That is what would restore the trust and confidence of the troops, especially those who are most affected by this toxic, sexualized culture,” Liberal defence critic Joyce Murray says. “But neither the chief of defence staff nor the minister have ever had that kind of clarity and conviction on how to move forward.”