These guidelines and procedures are being established. The bottom line is this, if any Canadian Forces member deployed healthy and comes back sick we, the Canadian Forces, have not only the moral obligation but the legal obligation to tend to this situation. For the case at hand today I have directed that a Board of Inquiry be convened to thoroughly investigate the matter. This investigation will be the most transparent and open inquiry the Canadian Forces has ever undertaken. It will be conducted in the most expeditive yet comprehensive manner possible and you'll be kept appraised of the progress every step of the way, not only you the media, but every member of the Canadian Forces also.
Forces canadiennes ont entreprise jusqu' maintenant.
Being committed to a credible and fair representation of members of the Canadian Forces, the President of the Board of Inquiry contacted the office of the Ombudsman to solicit their participation and they have accepted the offer. In addition experts in the area of health and safety as well as environmental issues will also be participating. Throughout this process the board will not be restricted in its ability to call upon the necessary expertise to fulfill its mandate. As you probably know the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has had personnel deployed to the same area who served under the same conditions as Canadian Forces personnel. Yesterday afternoon the Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources accepted the Canadian Forces' offer to participate into this inquiry.