**First Female Commander of Canadian Military Confronts U.S. Senator Over Women in Combat Remarks**

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – General Jennie Carignan, the first woman to lead Canada's military, openly criticized U.S. Senator Jim Risch after he questioned the role of women in combat roles. Risch, a Republican from Idaho and the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had suggested that mixed-gender combat units could create problems, calling the issue of women in combat a "delusional" notion that needed addressing.

During a panel session at the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday, Carignan voiced her objections to Risch's statements. "I can't believe that in 2024, we still have to justify the contribution of women to their defense and to their service, in their country," Carignan stated, stressing that women have been participating in combat for hundreds of years without proper acknowledgment. She emphasized that women in uniform, willing to risk their lives for their country, deserve recognition rather than being seen as a distraction.

Carignan's comments were met with resounding applause from the audience at the forum, which draws defense and security officials from Western democracies. Her speech appeared to challenge not only Risch’s views but also broader skepticism surrounding women's roles in military combat scenarios.

The debate over women in combat has been reignited by Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, known for his stint as a Fox News commentator, has argued in his book and in interviews that men and women should not serve together on the front lines. If confirmed by the Senate, Hegseth could potentially overturn the Pentagon's decade-long practice of allowing women in all combat roles.

General Carignan was promoted to her current rank during a change-of-command ceremony earlier this summer, becoming the first woman to hold the position of Canada's defense chief. Her career is marked by several historic milestones, including being the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian military, with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Syria.

Canada's defense spending has also been a point of contention. Senator Risch criticized the country for not meeting NATO's spending target of 2% of its gross domestic product on defense, suggesting that President Trump would find Canada's current military spending plans laughable. The Canadian government has committed to reaching this NATO benchmark by 2032.

General Carignan's assertive response at the Halifax forum highlighted not only the contributions of women in the military but also the ongoing debates about gender roles within armed forces globally.