To say that sexism does not exist in the forces is horse $hit. It‘s far better than it used to be, don‘t get me wrong, but it still manages to rear it‘s ugly head on occasion.
As for women serving in the military and in the combat arms, it was determined that to NOT allow equal opportunity to women was in direct violation of the charter of rights. The lowering of standards, however, has nothing to do with the charter, and was an administrative decision at some level... one which, even as a woman, I disagree with.
Women have been dying in combat for as long as there has been combat. These women dying in Iraq weren‘t even noteworthy enough to make the evening news... so much for the outrage of their comrades. When you serve with someone long enough, male or female, you will bond with them and watching them die will be painful. However, you‘re not going to see an entire battalion of men being driven out of their mind with rage and fury, and willing to abandon reason and authority because a woman is injured. To say as much is just ignorant.
Also, people have mentioned that women could be raped if they‘re taken prisoner. True enough. But, do you somehow think that men are incapable of being sexually assaulted? Do you think that sexual assault, mutilation and other forms of torture have never been exercised on male prisoners? Has anyone had the gall to say that men can‘t serve in the military because they could be raped? Where would that leave us?
For all the justification you would like to give, you can‘t deny people the ability to serve if they can meet the requirements. Do do so would be a violation of the rights that Canada stands for.