General Jennie Carignan took over as Canada's chief of the defence staff on Thursday (Jul 18) in a ceremony that made her the first woman to command the country's armed forces.

General Jennie Carignan took over as Canada's chief of the defence staff on Thursday (Jul 18) in a ceremony that made her the first woman to command the country's armed forces. Trained as a military engineer, Carignan has commanded troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Syria during her 35 years in the Canadian Army. "I feel ready, poised and supported to take on this manifold challenge," Carignan said at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. "Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, heightened tensions elsewhere around the world, climate change, increased demands on our personnel at home and abroad, and threats to our democratic values and institutions are but a few of the complex challenges we need to adapt to and counter," Carignan said. Carignan takes over from General Wayne Eyre, who served as the top military commander since 2021, at a time when Canada is aiming to increase defence spending and modernise its armed forces. Also read | Who is Jennie Carignan? Canada's first woman to be appointed Chief of the Defence Staff Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government's intention to reach NATO's defence-spending target of two per cent of GDP by 2032. Canada's defence spending is expected to be 1.39 per cent of GDP in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to government projections. The armed forces are struggling to meet recruitment goals and have been slow to replace outdated equipment. Last November, the head of the navy said the service was in "a critical state" and might not be able to carry out its basic duties in 2024. "We're facing many internal challenges such as recruitment and retention," Carignan said. "We know the challenges we face and what we need to do to address them." Trudeau, who called Carignan "a role model for all Canadians and for the world", has pursued policies designed to boost gender equality since taking office in 2015. In 2018, he appointed Brenda Lucki as the first female head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The last two governors general, Canada's official representative of the British monarchy, have been women. Trudeau named them both. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Jennie Carignan, Canada's first woman chief of the defence staff, takes charge

General Jennie Carignan made history on Thursday (July 18) as she officially took command of Canada's armed forces, becoming the first woman to lead the country's military. The ceremony took place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Carignan, who has spent 35 years in the Canadian Army, is trained as a military engineer. Her extensive experience includes commanding troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Syria.

"I feel ready, poised and supported to take on this manifold challenge," Carignan said during the ceremony. She highlighted several global and domestic issues that she will tackle, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, heightened global tensions, climate change, and threats to democratic values.

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Carignan succeeds General Wayne Eyre, who has served as the chief of defence staff since 2021. Her appointment comes as Canada plans to increase its defence budget and modernise its military.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the goal to meet NATO's defence-spending target of 2% of GDP by 2032. Currently, Canada’s defence spending is projected at 1.39% of GDP for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

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The Canadian armed forces face several challenges, including difficulty in meeting recruitment targets and delays in updating outdated equipment. Last November, the head of the navy warned that the service might struggle to perform basic duties in 2024.

"We're facing many internal challenges such as recruitment and retention," Carignan acknowledged. "We know the challenges we face and what we need to do to address them."

Prime Minister Trudeau praised Carignan, calling her "a role model for all Canadians and for the world."

Since taking office in 2015, Trudeau has emphasised gender equality, appointing Brenda Lucki as the first female head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2018. Both recent governor&nbsp;generals, Canada's representatives of the British monarchy, were also women, appointed by Trudeau.

(With inputs from agencies)

General Jennie Carignan made history on Thursday (July 18) as she officially took command of Canada's armed forces, becoming the first woman to lead the country's military.

General Jennie Carignan made history on Thursday (July 18) as she officially took command of Canada's armed forces, becoming the first woman to lead the country's military. The ceremony took place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Carignan, who has spent 35 years in the Canadian Army, is trained as a military engineer. Her extensive experience includes commanding troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Syria. "I feel ready, poised and supported to take on this manifold challenge," Carignan said during the ceremony. She highlighted several global and domestic issues that she will tackle, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, heightened global tensions, climate change, and threats to democratic values. Watch | Trump in first speech after assassination attempt: 'I had God on my side × Carignan succeeds General Wayne Eyre, who has served as the chief of defence staff since 2021. Her appointment comes as Canada plans to increase its defence budget and modernise its military. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the goal to meet NATO's defence-spending target of 2% of GDP by 2032. Currently, Canada’s defence spending is projected at 1.39% of GDP for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Also read: Is Covid back? Biden, Mahathir, Kerry Washington and others affected. Here's what WHO said The Canadian armed forces face several challenges, including difficulty in meeting recruitment targets and delays in updating outdated equipment. Last November, the head of the navy warned that the service might struggle to perform basic duties in 2024. "We're facing many internal challenges such as recruitment and retention," Carignan acknowledged. "We know the challenges we face and what we need to do to address them." Prime Minister Trudeau praised Carignan, calling her "a role model for all Canadians and for the world." Since taking office in 2015, Trudeau has emphasised gender equality, appointing Brenda Lucki as the first female head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2018. Both recent governor generals, Canada's representatives of the British monarchy, were also women, appointed by Trudeau. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada: Jennie Carignan becomes the first woman chief of the defence staff

In a historic first, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday (July 3)&nbsp;appointed Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the country's top soldier, in charge of leading the military. This appointment is in line with Trudeau's continuing push to appoint women to the most senior jobs.

"I am confident that, as Canada's new Chief of the Defence Staff, she will help Canada be stronger, more secure, and ready to tackle global security challenges," said Prime Minister Trudeau.

He said that Carignan takes over at a pivotal moment marked by "complicated geopolitics and increased threats."

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<h2>Who is Jennie Carignan?</h2>

Lieutenant-General Carignan will take over as the chief of defence on July 18 and has been tasked with stamping out ingrained sexism and misconduct in the armed forces.

A damning 2022 external report described the Canadian Armed Forces as "hostile to women... (and) conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault."

She will be promoted to the rank&nbsp;of General and will take over from retiring General Wayne Eyre.

Carignan is a highly decorated soldier and the mother of four children, two of whom, like her, are soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Breaking glass ceilings is nothing new for Carignan. As per AFP, she joined the military in 1986, three years before Canada allowed women in combat roles.&nbsp;

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Trained as a combat engineer - soldiers that clear bombs and erect and destroy battlefield structures - Carignan rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the first woman to lead a Canadian combat unit.

As per Reuters, during her 35 years in the army, she has commanded troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;

In Afghanistan, she narrowly avoided a suicide bomber and an improvised explosive device that mangled a vehicle in her convoy, reports AFP. In Iraq, she led NATO's training mission from 2019 to 2020, and commanded the 2nd Canadian Division — the military's largest regiment with more than 10,000 troops.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a historic first, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday (July 3) appointed Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the country's top soldier, in charge of leading the military.

In a historic first, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday (July 3) appointed Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as the country's top soldier, in charge of leading the military. This appointment is in line with Trudeau's continuing push to appoint women to the most senior jobs. "I am confident that, as Canada's new Chief of the Defence Staff, she will help Canada be stronger, more secure, and ready to tackle global security challenges," said Prime Minister Trudeau. He said that Carignan takes over at a pivotal moment marked by "complicated geopolitics and increased threats." Also read | UK voters prepare to head to polls for the general election Who is Jennie Carignan? Lieutenant-General Carignan will take over as the chief of defence on July 18 and has been tasked with stamping out ingrained sexism and misconduct in the armed forces. A damning 2022 external report described the Canadian Armed Forces as "hostile to women... (and) conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault." She will be promoted to the rank of General and will take over from retiring General Wayne Eyre. Carignan is a highly decorated soldier and the mother of four children, two of whom, like her, are soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces. Breaking glass ceilings is nothing new for Carignan. As per AFP, she joined the military in 1986, three years before Canada allowed women in combat roles. Also read | 'Palestine will be free': Pro-Palestine protestors climb Australia Parliament roof, blame Israel of war crimes Trained as a combat engineer - soldiers that clear bombs and erect and destroy battlefield structures - Carignan rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the first woman to lead a Canadian combat unit. As per Reuters, during her 35 years in the army, she has commanded troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Syria. In Afghanistan, she narrowly avoided a suicide bomber and an improvised explosive device that mangled a vehicle in her convoy, reports AFP. In Iraq, she led NATO's training mission from 2019 to 2020, and commanded the 2nd Canadian Division — the military's largest regiment with more than 10,000 troops. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Jennie Carignan? Canada's first woman to be appointed Chief of the Defence Staff

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Jennie Carignan, Canada's first woman chief of the defence staff, takes charge

Canada: Jennie Carignan becomes the first woman chief of the defence staff

Who is Jennie Carignan? Canada's first woman to be appointed Chief of the Defence Staff