A call for a soldiers' union

A report has revealed findings that Canada's soldiers work in a toxic and sexualized environment. Lawyer and former colonel Michel Drapeau says it's time for Canada's military to be represented by a union or professional organization, as a way to make sure our men and women on the front line are fairly treated.

Drapeau says the hierarchical, structure of the military makes it difficult for subordinate officers to make complaints against their superiors. He says that under the current system, soldiers are leery of reporting problems like sexual assault and harassment. There's a perception that military police are too closely integrated into the chain of command.

"They don't trust the (military) police to be independent, to be effective, to be competent, to be experienced."

Drapeau says there is evidence that the military professional associations can work. He says that such organizations already represent soldiers in several of Canada's NATO ally countries, including Norway and the Netherlands.