MILITARY DINNER
The 8th Annual
Vancouver Military Dinner
Evolution, Positive Change, and the Defence of Canada
The 8th Annual Vancouver Military Dinner took place on April 1st, 2023 at the Vancouver Club
Keynote Speakers
Military Keynote Speaker
Lieutenant-General
M.A.J (Jennie) Carignan, CMM MSM CD
Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture
A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada in Engineering, Lieutenant-General (LGen) Jennie Carignan was commissioned into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1990.
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She has commanded two Combat Engineer Regiments, Royal Military College Saint-Jean and the 2nd Canadian Division, where she led more than 10,000 soldiers and spearheaded crisis operations during the flood relief efforts in the spring of 2019 in Quebec. More recently, she led NATO Mission Iraq from November 2019 to November 2020. LGen Carignan participated in three previous expeditionary operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Golan Heights, and Afghanistan.
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She holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Université Laval and a second Master’s degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. She is also a graduate of the National Security Studies Programme from Canadian Forces College in Toronto.
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LGen Carignan has been invested as Commander of the Order of Military Merit and is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal. She received the prestigious Gloire de l'Escolle medal which recognizes graduates from Université Laval who have distinguished themselves professionally and in service to their communities. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Université Laval.
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LGen Carignan was promoted to her current rank in April of 2021 and appointed as Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture, a newly created position in the CAF.
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Married, LGen Carignan is the mother of four children, two of whom proudly serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Featured Organization Keynote Speaker
Michelle Douglas
Executive Director, LGBT Purge Fund
Michelle served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1986 to 1989. She was honourably discharged from the military in 1989 under the military’s 'LGBT purge.'
She launched a landmark legal challenge against the military’s discriminatory policies against LGBT service members that resulted in the ending of these policies in 1992. Her experience in the military was the start of 30 years of social justice and human rights activism.
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Professionally, Michelle served as the Director of International Relations at the Canadian Department of Justice and retired in September 2019. Over the course of her 30-year career as a public servant, she represented Canada at international meetings of the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States and the G7, and has traveled extensively in providing policy support to the Minister of Justice.
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Michelle has also served on a number of boards of directors, including as chair of the board of directors of The 519 Community Centre and the Foundation for Equal Families. She has also been involved in supporting LGBT refugees. Michelle is also a member of the board of directors of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation.
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Michelle holds a degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. She resides in Ottawa.
Featured Organization
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From the 1950s to the mid-1990s, LGBTQ2+ Canadian Armed Forces members and federal public servants were systemically discriminated against, harassed, and often fired as a matter of policy and sanctioned practice. This period of Canadian history has come to be known as the 'LGBT Purge', affecting an estimated 9000 Canadians who only wished to serve the country and institutions that they admired.
Our 2023 Featured Organization is Rainbow Veterans of Canada (RVC). RVC is a federally-recognized non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that those affected by the 'Purge' and CAF veterans who identify as LGBTQ2+ are given the recognition, respect, and support they justly deserve for their service to Canada. In addition to advocating for 'Purge' survivors - and LGBTQ2+ veterans and CAF members more broadly - RVC promotes education, awareness, and respect for the lived experiences of affected veterans and CAF members.
Wine Pull & Silent Auction
Two things we love: Raising money for deserving causes, and winning incredible prizes. We've combined the two, giving you more than one way to bring home some impressive swag that you can feel good about purchasing!
The #VanMilDinner Wine Pull
Back by popular demand, the Vancouver Military Dinner Wine Pull just keeps on growing!
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Back in 2019, we said chances were 'good' that you'd walk away with a bottle of wine far exceeding the value of what you paid for it. This year, we're upping the chances to 'almost guaranteed.'
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Purchase a token for a small fee and the associated bottle of wine is all yours! Thanks to our generous wine donors, some incredible, rare, and luxurious vintages will be available at a far-from-luxurious price.
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And remember: All proceeds support Rainbow Veterans of Canada. Grab a few bottles; loving wine has never felt so good!
The Silent Auction
Like the Wine Pull, our Silent Auction is jam-packed with value. Simply bid on the prize you want, and if your bid is the highest at the end of the night, it's all yours.
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Previous prizes have included box seats at sporting events, custom suits, guided tours of military facilities, full-service hairdressing experiences, and more!
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Keep an eye on our social media channels and/or join our mailing list for updates on what prizes await you for 2023. One thing's for certain: You won't be disappointed.
Where, When, and The Rest
Where:
The Vancouver Club, 915 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
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When:
April 1st, 2023 at 1800 (6PM)
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Dress:
Black tie or military mess uniform. The wear of miniature medals is encouraged.
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Tickets:
Sold out! Please contact us to be added to the waitlist.