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We can’t be privileging one group over another Col. Stepaniuk

While the parades are sometimes considered a pain in the butt by troops (remembering that soldiers love to complain), reservists nonetheless appreciate the fact that they are paid for their time.

Stepaniuk told his COs in an Oct. 4 memo that, “As we embrace diversity and strive for inclusivity, we really need to examine those practices which may be exclusionary to our soldiers.”

Or, as he told the National Post in a recent phone interview, “I think it’s important not only that we create a diverse environment, but also that diversity is a hallmark of the Canadian Forces. … We can’t be privileging one group over another.”

(It’s the first time to my memory I have ever heard privilege used as a verb.)

He defended his order by saying, “It’s our policy,” which is true so far as it goes.

In 2014, the rules for army chaplains were amended to read, in section 33.11, that “Officers and non-commissioned members shall not be ordered to attend a parade that is primarily religious or spiritual in nature.”

But the rule has been on the books for almost five years, it appears to be the first time that a commander is making an issue of it.

Photo by Veronica Henri/Postmedia

The last time Stepaniuk struck in similar fashion was in August of 2017, shortly after he took command of 32 Brigade, when he determined that if his units weren’t nominating sufficient numbers of women to serve as “honoraries,” he would leave the appointments vacant, rather than (the horror! the shame!) see them filled with men.