Gen. Tom Lawson's 'biologically wired' comment is helpful
Thank you Tom Lawson
And with that, Canada's top military man -- General Tom Lawson -- set off a fire storm.
His remarks during a CBC interview on Tuesday with Peter Mansbridge, re-ignited fury over the Canadian Forces' response to sexual misconduct and harassment in its ranks.
Watch the full interview with Gen. Tom Lawson on The National
The outgoing Chief of the Defence Staff has since issued a clarification, describing his earlier remarks as "an awkward characterization"... but that hasn't stopped the calls for his immediate resignation from ringing out, on Parliament Hill... and on social media.
But perhaps General Lawson's remarks should be welcomed, as an opportunity... a glimpse at the truth, or even cause for celebration. Comedian Erica Sigurdson agrees.
Tom Lawson has done us all a favour. Well, maybe not his public relations team, but the rest of Canada owes Tom a thank-you tweet... I think we should thank Tom Lawson for truly showing us what's going on in the Canadian military and put down the pitchforks and pick up the brooms.- Comedian Erica Sigurdsons
Today we were joined by two guests who work in the prevention of sexual harassment standing by to take up her call -- and continue the conversation.
- Jeff Perera is a healthy masculinities advocate and speaker who runs HigherUnlearning.com. He was in Toronto.
- Julie Lalonde is a sexual-assault prevention educator and she was in Ottawa.
This segment was produced by The Current's Shannon Higgins and Leif Zapfe-Gilje.
RELATED LINKS
'I Can't Help Myself': Do men need to be saved from themselves? - Higher Unlearning
Harper says Lawson's comments on sexual misconduct 'unacceptable' - The Globe & Mail