Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the means by which the Defence Team (the Department of National Defence (DND) employees, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Regular and Reserve members, and the Canadian Cadet Movement) are provided with the resources to resolve workplace conflicts early, locally and informally. Individuals experiencing conflict are encouraged to consider using ADR as the first recourse for resolving the situation.

ADR is provided to the Defence Team through a series of Dispute Resolution Centres (DRCs) that are located at major defence establishments across the country. DRCs are staffed by professional ADR practitioners who provide a number of ADR intervention services, training courses and promotional activities.

ADR intervention services are broken down into three basic categories:

1. Mediation: Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party assists parties to explore different points of view about their work conflicts, find new ways to resolve their conflict, work out their own solutions to the situation, and make decisions about what they want the future to look like.
2. Conflict Coaching: Conflict coaching helps individuals to make sense of what is going on, assist in expanding the options available to them, and builds skill to manage the situation.
3. Other Services: The DRCs also provide a number of other intervention services that include consultation, facilitation and group processes.

For more information on ADR services, please visit our Contact Information page.