The Canadian Forces flag flies outside office buildings in Ottawa, on March 9, 2021.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government will create an independent mechanism for reporting allegations of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, and applauded the military for appointing a woman to the position of vice-chief of the defence staff.
“We will continue to move forward with measures to ensure that we are not only giving those supports to people who come forward but also ensure we are putting in place independent mechanisms to put an end to these troubling allegations and this behaviour once and for all,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday.
The Globe and Mail reported on Monday that Ottawa will set up an independent body to investigate accusations of sexual misconduct, racism and discrimination in the military in the wake of criticism over how it responded to allegations against top officials.
Ottawa to create military watchdog after allegations against top officials
The Canadian Armed Forces have been shaken by two military police investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the now-retired general Jonathan Vance and Admiral Art McDonald, who initially replaced the former defence chief. Experts have been urging the government to put in place independent civilian oversight of the military, because currently military investigators report to the chief of the defence staff.
A government source, whom The Globe is not identifying because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, said the government’s plan is expected to be unveiled within weeks. It would mean the military ombudsman and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, now part of the military police, would be folded into the new watchdog agency that will either report to the defence minister or Parliament.
Mr. Trudeau said Canadian institutions are not doing well at either preventing a culture that tolerates harassment, intimidation and assault, or putting forward measures to support those who come forward with allegations.
Late Monday, the military announced Lieutenant-General Frances Allen would become the new vice-chief of the defence staff, replacing Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau. Lt.-Gen. Allen is the first woman in this position. Lt.-Gen. Rouleau was appointed as a strategic adviser to the chief of defence staff.
“I am very pleased to see a strong woman in the vice-chief position for the first time in Canada’s history,” Mr. Trudeau said.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has been facing criticism over the way he responded when former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne told him about an allegation of inappropriate sexual behaviour against Mr. Vance, then-chief of the defence staff.
Mr. Walbourne told a parliamentary committee last week that in 2018, Mr. Sajjan refused to look at evidence he had regarding the allegation and that after Mr. Walbourne told the minister the complainant asked to keep the information confidential, Mr. Sajjan informed the Privy Council Office of the allegation.
Military experts and the Conservative opposition insist Mr. Sajjan had the power to investigate and failed to do so.
Retired colonel Michel Drapeau, who is now a lawyer, said Tuesday that under the National Defence Act, Mr. Sajjan had the full authority to convene a board of inquiry. Mr. Drapeau told the parliamentary committee during his appearance that in his view, it was Mr. Sajjan’s duty to call an inquiry.
Conservative MP James Bezan said it was Mr. Sajjan’s responsibility to take action when he was presented with the allegation. “I echo the comments of military justice expert Michel Drapeau that Minister Sajjan could have convened a board of inquiry. There were multiple options that Minister Sajjan could have taken and he chose to do nothing,” he said.
In Question Period on Tuesday, Mr. Sajjan said: “No politician should ever be required to conduct any type of investigation. Immediate allegations were reported to the appropriate authorities.
“In this case, it was the Privy Council Office that was in charge of Governor in Council appointments, and it followed up with Mr. Walbourne immediately.”
Todd Lane, a spokesperson for Mr. Sajjan, would not say why the minister did not convene a board of inquiry. Mr. Lane said every allegation of sexual misconduct and harassment “needs to be investigated, no matter the rank or position of those involved. We need to ensure that any individual feels safe telling of their experiences.”
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