Oversight and Complaints

Choose the route that matches the issue

Different problems use different processes. Filing in the wrong place can cause delay, and contacting an information or oversight office may not pause another deadline.

Start with these questions

• Is anyone in immediate danger, or might a criminal offence have occurred?

• Is this a decision, act, or omission affecting your conditions of service?

• Is it harassment, violence, discrimination, hateful conduct, sexual misconduct, or racism?

• Is the concern about military police conduct or interference in an investigation?

• Are you seeking information, help with delay, or an independent fairness review?

Common routes

• Emergency or possible offence: call 911 off Defence property or Military Police on a base, wing, or DND property.

• CAF grievance: for a decision, act, or omission related to conditions of service that affects you personally, subject to statutory limits and exceptions.

• CCMS: confidential guidance about conflict, grievances, harassment, discrimination, and complaint options. CCMS guides the process but does not prepare a complaint for you.

• National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombud: an independent and impartial office that provides information, examines fair treatment, conducts individual or systemic investigations, and makes recommendations. It does not provide legal advice, and contacting it does not suspend other time limits.

• Military Police Complaints Commission: civilian, arm’s-length review of complaints about military police conduct and alleged interference in military police investigations.

• Defence Community Support and Resource Centre: confidential counselling, information, guidance, and referrals for Defence Community members affected by sexual misconduct and/or racism.

• Canadian Human Rights Commission: a possible route for discrimination complaints based on prohibited grounds. Eligibility and process depend on the facts.

Prepare before you contact an office

1. Write a two- or three-sentence summary of the issue and the help you want.

2. List dates, people or offices involved, and steps already taken.

3. Gather the most relevant documents—not every document you have.

4. Ask about mandate, confidentiality, consent, deadlines, and what the office can and cannot do.

5. Keep confirmation numbers, names, and copies of submissions.

This page provides general route-finding information, not legal advice or representation.

Official sources and contact points

• Submit a formal complaint or report an incident

• National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombud: Ask a question or make a complaint

• Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada

• Defence Community Support and Resource Centre

• Canadian Human Rights Commission: Make a complaint