Canada's Top General Defends Women in Combat Against U.S. Senator's Criticism

Gen. Jennie Carignan rebukes Sen. Jim Risch's remarks and challenges renewed opposition to women in frontline military roles.

Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada's Chief of Defence Staff, rejected U.S. Senator Jim Risch's assertion that women in combat create 'unique situations' that complicate military operations.
Carignan, the first woman to lead Canada's armed forces, emphasized that women have been contributing to combat roles for centuries and criticized the need to continually justify their presence in 2024.
Her remarks came during the Halifax International Security Forum, where she received a standing ovation for her defense of women in military service.
Risch's comments followed support for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's defense secretary nominee, who has publicly opposed women serving in combat units.
Hegseth's nomination has reignited debates over the Pentagon's decade-old policy allowing women in all combat roles, with potential implications for U.S. military practices.