Lieutenant-General Jocelyn Paul is the new Commander of the Canadian Army.
Lt. Gen. Paul was a career soldier who served as deputy commander of the Joint Command Allied Forces in Naples, Italy, among other duties. He also led a large group of soldiers to one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan.
The Afghan mission, which lasted from April to October 2009, was one of the most important to the lieutenant-general. About 13,000 men and women were under his leadership. He was then Commander of the Battle Group of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment in Kandahar.
Lieutenant-General Paul reacted to his appointment by referring to Aboriginal people and their place in the Canadian Army.
If I can be helpful, if I can inspire a young man or a young woman who is reluctant to commit to a military career, and if I can have 5, 6, 10, 15 or 20 more native soldier, i think i will do my dutyMr. Paul told reporters after the handover of the command.
Jocelyn Paul replaced Major-General Michel-Henri St-Louis.
An appointment that came in a turbulent context for Canadian Forces, which was severely criticized by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbor for their handling of sexual harassment complaints within them.
The full-time Canadian Army workforce consists of 23,500 soldiers and 3,000 civilian employees, not counting the reserve soldiers and the Rangers who patrol, for the most part, the northern region of Canada.
With information from the CBC
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
