As summer draws to a close and we approach cooler months, I, Col Hatton, am pleased to finally be on the ground as the Base Commander. My mission is to facilitate continual improvement of CFB Kingston for our members and clientele, and I look forward to hearing new perspectives and ideas from everyone. Since taking command of CFB Kingston in June, I have been eager to reacquaint myself with the Defence Team this fall.
September 8th is Official Languages Day, which aims to promote Canada’s official languages as well as celebrate the country’s rich linguistic heritage. This day is a great opportunity to recognize Canadian bilingualism while also appreciating the many different languages spoken by members across the Defence Team. For those who are interested, we strongly urge you to seek out second language training through engaging in discussions with your chain of command.
The fourth week of September marks Gender Equality Week, which aims to raise awareness around the contributions of women and gender diverse communities toward Canada’s diversity, growth, and development over the years. Reaching gender equality and equity has been a longstanding mission for Canada and the CAF. We know that CFB Kingston will continue to foster positive change through our commitment to understanding and supporting women and gender diverse members of our team.
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a federal statutory holiday. This day honours the many lost children and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their loved ones and communities. We must all take the time to reflect on the many lost Indigenous lives, and what we as Canadians can do to restore connections and deepen our understanding of Indigenous history and culture.
As the summer leave period ends, and children return to school, we hope that everyone is feeling refreshed and ready to settle back into their routines. Over the next two years, we aim to strengthen our civilian and military workforce, improve communications with our wider Defence Community, and continue to tackle culture change on the Base. By working together to maintain a positive and fun work environment, while tackling the many challenges we face, CFB Kingston will remain a great place to work and serve!
