Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

Military investigates after Vance allegations

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Feb, 2021 12:34 AM
  • Military investigates after Vance allegations

The Department of National Defence says military police have launched an investigation following allegations former defence chief Jonathan Vance engaged in inappropriate conduct.

Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier says the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigation is separate from an independent examination that has been ordered by top military officials.

Global News reported on Tuesday that Vance allegedly had an ongoing relationship with a woman he significantly outranked, and that he made a sexual comment to a second, much younger soldier in 2012, before he was appointed chief of the defence staff.

Vance could not be reached for comment on Thursday and the allegations against him could not be independently verified.

Vance acknowledged he dated the first woman nearly 20 years ago, according to Global, but said the relationship had evolved over the years and was not sexual.

The former defence chief also said he had no recollection of making a sexual comment to the other junior member, adding if he did make the comment it would have been intended as a joke and that he was prepared to apologize.

The allegations against Vance come less than a month after he turned over command of the Canadian Armed Forces to Admiral Art McDonald following more than five years in the position.

"We can confirm the CFNIS is investigating this matter," Le Bouthillier said in a statement on Thursday, without providing further details.

"In order to preserve the integrity of the investigative process, no additional information can be provided at this time."

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan faced questions in the House of Commons on Thursday about whether he was aware of the allegations against Vance, who took over as Canada's defence chief in July 2015.

Sajjan said he has "always ensured that any allegations that were brought to my attention had been reported to the appropriate authorities to begin an investigation, regardless of rank or position.

"I have always followed all of the appropriate processes in pursuing issues related to workplace harassment whenever allegations have arisen."

Sajjan repeated that assertion in a statement provided to The Canadian Press.

"We will ensure a full thorough independent investigation is conducted," he added. "However, the specifics around any such review have yet to be determined."

The official Opposition Conservatives have nonetheless called for an emergency meeting of the Commons defence committee to probe what Sajjan knew, and when.

McDonald and Defence Department deputy minister Jody Thomas on Tuesday described the allegations as troubling, but have not said whether they have been substantiated.

McDonald subsequently sent a message to all Armed Forces members on Wednesday, describing the allegations against Vance as "distressing and hurtful for all of us to contemplate."

He went on to describe those who had come forward to make the allegations as having done so "courageously," and promised that they would not face any repercussions.

MORE National ARTICLES

Vaccinating Mounties should be a priority: union

Vaccinating Mounties should be a priority: union
The National Police Federation says inoculating its members will ensure the safety of both officers and the communities they serve.

Vaccinating Mounties should be a priority: union

Woman dead, man hurt in shooting in Surrey, B.C

Woman dead, man hurt in shooting in Surrey, B.C
Officers found a woman in grave condition and a man suffering non-life-threatening injuries inside the home.

Woman dead, man hurt in shooting in Surrey, B.C

B.C. expands mask requirements in schools

B.C. expands mask requirements in schools
Previously, students and staff were only required to wear masks in areas where interactions are not controlled, such as in hallways, libraries and on school buses.

B.C. expands mask requirements in schools

Canada sees 30-per-cent drop in COVID cases

Canada sees 30-per-cent drop in COVID cases
Even with this decline, Tam said the current caseload continues to burden local health-care resources, particularly in regions with high infection rates.

Canada sees 30-per-cent drop in COVID cases

PBO: Work-from-home tax break to cost feds $260M

PBO: Work-from-home tax break to cost feds $260M
Workers who have been able to do their jobs remotely have been asked to do so since the spring as part of public health efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

PBO: Work-from-home tax break to cost feds $260M

RCMP cameras to cost $131 million over five years

RCMP cameras to cost $131 million over five years
A costing note Thursday said the RCMP is expected to purchase 12,500 camera subscriptions for use across the country at 700 detachments.

RCMP cameras to cost $131 million over five years