On Aug. 15, 2023, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who experience sexual misconduct or harassment can now file a complaint directly with the Canadian Human Rights Commission instead of the internal military grievance process. 

The policy was one of the major pillars of Operation Honour, the military’s campaign to stamp out sexual misconduct in the ranks. Complaints about harassment and discrimination that are not based on sex will still be handled through internal military procedures.

The Human Rights Commission received 42 complaints about discrimination based on sex by military members between 2015 and 2021.  The number was likely so low because of a requirement to exhaust the internal grievance process before taking complaints outside the institution.

The change is to scrap a controversial Duty to Report policy that requires CAF members to report all incidents of misconduct, including sexual misconduct or racism, regardless of whether they were directly affected by them. Failing to report incidents of misconduct and wrongdoing was punishable under old military regulations.  The new policy will eliminate the obligation to report and penalties for not reporting and give members the opportunity to exercise discretion and choose the best path forward.

Although the Duty to Report has been in military regulations since the 1930s, it was given new life and extra teeth after a 2015 independent investigation into sexual misconduct found victims under-reported incidents because they feared reprisals and didn’t trust the investigation process.

A House of Commons committee report complained in 2019 that the rules on the policy were too vague.  Rather, the policy was ambiguous and difficult for the military to prosecute.

Duty to Report policy has long been criticised by victims of misconduct and independent observers like former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour, who delivered a landmark report on sexual misconduct in the military last year. They have argued that by allowing bystanders to report wrongdoing, the policy took the Canadian Human Rights Commission away from victims who may or may not have wanted to speak up.

It was thought that the Duty to Report obligation could help ensure that incidents were not ignored or minimised, and that it would enhance protections for survivors.   the Duty to Report regulations have had unintended negative consequences for people affected by offences of an interpersonal nature, such as sexual misconduct or hateful conduct.

The new regulation aims to induce a culture where survivors, and all those affected by misconduct, feel safe, supported, and able to report wrongs on their own terms. Now, any sexual assault survivors can weigh their options. If they choose to remain silent, they do not have to fear further punishment or face unwelcome exposure if others inform on their predicament against their wishes.

The new regulation will apply to new and existing complaints, allowing military members to ask for an independent review before exhausting internal grievance processes. Modernising complaint processes is a key component of the efforts to bring in cultural changes in the CAF. It will ensure that CAF members access human rights justice swiftly.

We spent a summer’s day outdoors, delighting in the calming showering fragrances and taking in the serenity of the purple-hued landscape of Avlon Lavender Farm. Avalon invites a special connection to nature. Literally meaning Isle of Fruit. The farm has over 30,000 lavender plants – English + French –  in 7 different cultivars.

Lavender or lavandula comes from the Latin word lavare meaning ‘to wash’, as Romans used it abundantly in their baths, hot spas & massages. In botanical terms, lavandula belongs to the mint family of scented plants, along with thyme, mint, sage and many others.

For a long time lavender or lavandula was known as a wild solitary plant. It grew high up on the hot, sunny slopes of mountains, away from civilized places on arid, uncultivated ground. Neither sown, nor cultivated, withstood the winds and the droughts, with two good friends: sun to grow and bees to pollinate. It wasn’t long before the shepherds spread their secrets and lavender descended from the hilltops to more accessible plateaus.

Lavender may have earned this name because it was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. However, this herb has also been used as a remedy for a range of ailments from insomnia and anxiety to depression and fatigue. Research has confirmed that lavender produces a slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.

From Greece, Egypt, Rome, English gardens, and the hills of Provence, lavender cultivation spread and it become an essential remedy for many ailments and well-being. Lavender subtle floral fragrance attracted soap and perfume makers, to make it the most versatile herb of all. Times came and gone, and still today, the ‘purple gold’ is unscathed choice as a true natural remedy for well-being and healing.

Lavandula angustifolia, also called True lavender or English lavender, is best known for its sweet, mellow scent, high quality essential oil, medicinal properties and it is a widely used culinary herb. Propagated by seeds and cuttings, it is cold and drought tolerant.

Lavandula X Intermedia known as French lavender is a hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula Latifolia, best known for its tall stalks, heady fragrance and high oil yield. It is used in aromatherapy and cosmetics. However it is not considered culinary lavender, due to its higher camphor content than Lavandula angustifolia. Lavandula X Intermedia flowers are sterile and propagation is done through cuttings. It is also cold and drought resistant.

Lavandula stoechas also known as Spanish lavender, grown more as ornamental plant than for oil distillation is more sensitive to cold winters.

At the Avlon Lavender farm, for an additional $10 at the door, you’ll be lent a scissors and given a bundle bag to fill with your own freshly cut lavender. Typically the bundle bag holds far more than $10 of fresh lavender, so this is great and economical way to enjoy the experience of harvesting your own lavender.

A field worker will point you to a specially flagged garden for Guest Cut-Your-Own, and will be available to help you cut to ensure maximum health for our lavender and your bouquet.

At the farm, 30 free-range lavender orpington hens love their life of grazing and adoration here at Avalon. Guests continue to fall in love with their curious and friendly temperaments.

To harvest the oils and hydrosols from lavender flowers, distillation is done with a Portuguese copper still. The process spreads aroma of fresh lavender.

At the end of the day, we all felt that it was worth the effort to visit the Avalon Lavender Farm at Mona, about 90 minutes drive from our home.