Organization Profile - Military Grievances External Review Committee

Minister of National Defence

The Military Grievances External Review Committee (MGERC), formerly the Canadian Forces Grievance Board (CFGB), reviews military grievances and provides findings and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Canadian Forces member who submitted the grievance. The Committee is an administrative tribunal independent from the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence and, as such, plays a unique role within the military grievance process.

National Defence Act

The Military Grievances External Review Committee consists of a Chairperson, at least two Vice-Chairpersons and any other members appointed by the Governor in Council that are required to allow it to perform its functions.

The Chairperson and one Vice-Chairperson are each full-time members and the other members may be appointed as full-time or part-time members.

Each member holds office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding four years but may be removed by the Governor in Council for cause.

A member is eligible to be re-appointed on the expiry of a first or subsequent term of office.

Full-time members shall devote the whole of their time to the performance of their duties under this Act.

Part-time members may not accept or hold any office or employment during their term of office that is inconsistent with their duties under this Act.

The Chairperson is the chief executive officer of the Grievances Committee and has supervision over and direction of its work and staff.

In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson or if that office is vacant, the Minister may authorize a Vice-Chairperson to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Chairperson.

The Chairperson may delegate to a Vice-Chairperson any of the Chairperson’s powers, duties or functions under this Act, except the power to delegate under this subsection and the duty to submit an annual report.

Members who are not officers or non-commissioned members are entitled to be paid for their services the remuneration and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council.