Cliquez ici pour le français: Groupes consultatifs de la Défense – région de Halifax
The role of the Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) Defence Advisory Groups (DAGs) is to provide advice and insight to local Department of National Defence (DND)/Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) leadership on issues relevant to the designated group members, and to the effective implementation of Employment Equity (EE). Specifically:
- Development of policies, procedures and mechanisms related to recruitment, retention and training;
- EE initiatives, action plans and outreach initiatives;
- Identify systemic employment barriers and recommend solutions;
- DAGs shall not normally take on individual issues, unless deemed systemic; individual issues remain the responsibility of the Chain of Command; and
- Promote & encourage maximum participation in Self-Identification
DAGs are volunteer-run groups comprised of a Champion (senior leadership), two co-chairs (military and civilian) and a membership of military and civilian Defence Team members. You do not need to identify with a particular DAG in order to be an active member – all Defence Team members are welcome to join with permission from their supervisor/Chain of Command.
Calling all Defence Team members! Join a Defence Advisory Group (DAG)
Local DAG general contacts:
Contacts
| Name | Position | Contact |
| Marie Bourinot | MARLANT Employment Equity and Diversity Manager | Marie.Bourinot@forces.gc.ca
(902) 427-3385 |
| ADAAG | Atlantic Defence Indigenous Advisory Group | Halifax.DAAG@forces.gc.ca |
| ADTPAO | Atlantic Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization | ADTPAO@forces.gc.ca |
| DWAO | Defence Women’s Advisory Organization | Halifax.DWAO@forces.gc.ca |
| DVMAG | Defence Visible Minorities Advisory Group | Halifax.DVMAG@forces.gc.ca |
| DAGPWD | Defence Advisory Group for Persons with Disabilities | P-HFX.DAGPWD@intern.mil.ca (Accessible via DWAN only) |
Atlantic Defence Indigenous Advisory Group
The Atlantic Defence Indigenous Advisory Group (ADIAG) works to raise awareness on local and broader issues that affect Indigenous Peoples, to educate local Defence Team members about Indigenous history and culture, and to advise local DND/CAF leadership teams advice and insight on issues impacting the recruitment, retention, development and promotion of Indigenous Peoples. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment within the Defence Team, respectful of Indigenous Peoples, which is free of barriers and provides opportunities for career success at all levels.
Champion and Co-Chairs
| Name | Position |
| Capt(N) Preston McIntosh | Champion |
| PO1 Cheyanne Delaronde | Military Co-Chair |
| Dianne Lambert | Civilian Co-Chair |
ADIAG Email Address – Halifax.DAAG@forces.gc.ca
Defence Visible Minorities Advisory Group (Halifax region)
Under the umbrella of MARLANT Defence Advisory Groups, the Halifax region DVMAG is mandated to provide advice to DND/CAF leadership on issues affecting visible minorities — especially in the effective implementation of employment equity — by assisting in policy development related to recruitment, retention and training, identifying systemic employment barriers and recommending concrete solutions.
The local (Halifax region) DVMAG works to establish a productive dialogue among members of the Defence visible minority community, and between those members and DND/CAF as a whole. DVMAG will not become involved in individual cases where conditions of disadvantage have been experienced since this area is addressed by other means or offices charged with this responsibility. The DVMAG focuses on the more global approach to Employment Equity as it relates to DND/CAF personnel.
Champion and Co-Chairs
| Name | Position |
| Capt(N) Andy MacKenzie | Champion |
| OCdt Saif Morsy | Military Co-Chair |
| Ms. Rene Gannon | Civilian Co-Chair |
DVMAG Email Address – Halifax.DVMAG@forces.gc.ca
Defence Women’s Advisory Organization (Halifax)
The Defence Women’s Advisory Organization’s (DWAO) is your opportunity to play an active part in a growing movement that promotes the vision of “One Defence team that values everyone”. Those who subscribe to this vision of the evolving culture of the DND and CAF do so because they understand that our strength, operational effectiveness, and ability to represent the Canadian values we are called to defend, depends upon it. Lack of respect or value drives people away to find more rewarding and supportive work. Thus, the cohesiveness and winning edge of the whole team is eroded, as valuable contributions are lost.
The DWAO exists to provide women and men of the DND and CAF an avenue to volunteer their energies and talents towards advising and networking with the leadership, their colleagues and their subordinates. The purpose is to assist in resolving any systemic issues that may be adversely affecting the DND and CAF’s ability to capitalize on the full contribution that women can make towards a strong, effective and representative DND and CAF. Providing this voice for employees and members is crucial to completing the information leaders and individuals need to make decisions that affect our workplace.
It is time to objectively deal with issues that challenge women’s successful employment in the DND and CAF by providing a process and an avenue to work on issues that are relevant to them. The DWAO strives to provide a mechanism of voice that is pro-active and with multiple input points that contribute towards ensuring that policy makers, project leaders, etc. are hearing the voices of women in a way that integrates them into policy and programs. By utilizing our DWAO members’ expertise, diverse experiences and backgrounds we can provide leadership with feedback, ideas and recommendations that are from the member or employee perspective(s).
Champion and Co-Chairs
| Name | Position |
| Capt(N) Johnathan Lafontaine | Champion |
| Lt(N) Melanie Weaver | Military Co-chair |
| Kim Roberge | Civilian Co-chair |
DWAO Email Address – Halifax.DWAO@forces.gc.ca
Atlantic Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization
The Atlantic Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (ADTPAO), previously known as the Atlantic Defence Team Pride Network (ADTPN), is an amalgamation of the CFB Halifax Positive Initiative Working Group and the Maritime Defence Pride Network. The ADTPAO membership acts in an advisory role to senior CAF and DND leadership in the Atlantic region, administering Positive Space Initiative programs and promoting LGBTQ2+ resource and outreach events to our local workforce. Ultimately, the group aims to assist in resolving any systemic issues that may be adversely affecting DND/CAF’s ability to capitalize on the full contribution that LGBTQ2+ persons can make towards a strong, effective and representative DND/CAF. The DTPAO is open to all members of the Defence Team whether or not they identify with the LGBTQ2+ community.
Champion and Co-Chairs
| Name | Position |
| Col David Holmes | Champion |
| S1 Malachi Malabre | Military Co-chair |
| Deva Carr | Civilian Co-chair |
Defence Advisory Group for Persons with Disabilities
The primary role of the Halifax Region Defence Advisory Group for Persons with Disabilities (DAGPWD) is to improve the quality of work life for persons with disabilities and to promote a better understanding of PWD related matters within the Formation and lodger units.
The Advisory Group also provides advice and insight to senior military and civilian leadership on matters related to the equitable representation and treatment of persons with disabilities within the Formation and lodger units.
The Halifax Region DAGPWD may deal with issues such as:
- Identifying and exchanging information on systemic issues affecting persons with disabilities within the Formation and lodger units;
- Reviewing, discussing, and providing feedback or recommendations on employment equity plans, policies, programs, or special measures to originating agencies and the National Co-Chairs;
- Providing a forum for inviting and marketing new ideas, strategies and best practices for removing barriers; improving the quality of work life, recruiting, training and retaining persons with disabilities, and for fostering a better understanding of PWD issues within the Formation and lodger units;
- Maintaining a network with the chairpersons of the other Advisory Groups (Visible Minorities, Aboriginals, and Women), as well as other CF/DND, interdepartmental and external Advisory Groups for Persons With Disabilities for the purposes of exchanging ideas and information; and
- Coordinating and hosting commemorative events to promote and give visibility to the capabilities and achievements of persons with disabilities.
Contacts
| Name | Position |
| Capt(N) Mike Stefanson | Champion |
| Lt(N) Alexander Grinton | Military Co-chair |
| Al Turner | Civilian Co-chair |
DAGPWD Email Address – P-HFX.DAGPWD@intern.mil.ca (Accessible via DWAN only)
