For the first time in its history, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will have a woman at its head.
Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan will become the CAF chief of staff; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make the announcement on Tuesday, TVA Nouvelles has learned.
A member of the Canadian Forces since 1986, the Quebecer originally from Asbestos (now called Val-des-Sources) has an extensive track record.
She notably commanded two combat engineer regiments and led more than 10,000 soldiers, in addition to leading crisis operations during the floods in Quebec in the spring of 2019.
Photo Agence QMI, Toma Iczkovits
She also commanded the NATO mission in Iraq from 2019 to 2020.
The lieutenant general also took part in three operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Syria and Afghanistan.
During her military career, Jennie Carignan was also decorated several times, receiving in particular the Order of Military Merit in the rank of Commander, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Medal of Glory of the Escolle.
Laval University also awarded him an honorary doctorate in business administration in 2019.
Photo DIDIER DEBUSSCHÈRE/JOURNAL DE QUÉBEC
In 2021, she was appointed Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture in the Canadian Armed Forces, in addition to being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.
