Looking back at a year of investigations into alleged military sexual misconduct

Ranging from high left and going clockwise, composite picture of Gen. Jonathan Vance, Admiral Artwork McDonald, Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, Lt.-Gen. Steven Whelan, Lt.-Gen. Trevor Cadieu and Maj. Gen. Dany Fortin (CP / Division of Nationwide Defence)

OTTAWA --
The Canadian navy has spent the final 12 months grappling with sexual misconduct investigations of its highest rating members, deepening the decision for an entire inner tradition shift.

The revolving door of senior officers stepping down or stepping apart has stirred up criticism not solely of the management of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) but additionally of the federal authorities for not taking motion to guard victims.

In mild of issues of a tarnished reporting system, a second exterior evaluation is presently underway to place ahead “concrete suggestions” to determine a extra unbiased construction. It’s not not like the mandate of the evaluation led by Supreme Courtroom justice Marie Deschamps in 2015.

CTVNews.ca put collectively a timeline of investigations of high officers launched by the Canadian Forces Nationwide Investigation Service (CFNIS) courting again to February, 2021.

To date, not one of the allegations in any case have been examined or confirmed in courtroom and all recognized navy personnel or their authorized representatives, besides Lt.-Gen. Steven Whelan who media haven’t been in a position to attain, have denied any wrongdoing.

 

GEN. JONATHAN VANCE

Investigation launched:

Feb. 2021

Investigation concluded:

July 2021

Allegation:

Sexual misconduct

Final result:

Charged with one depend of obstruction of justice

Army police launched an investigation into former defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance on Feb. 4 following media stories detailing two accounts of inappropriate conduct with feminine subordinates. Maj. Kellie Brennan, who was recognized as one of many girls, instructed a Home of Commons committee that she and Vance had been engaged in a sexual relationship since 2001 and he fathered two of her eight youngsters. In July, CAF and the Division of Nationwide Defence issued a press release stating that Vance had been charged with one depend of obstruction of justice for making an attempt to steer a lady recognized as “Ok.B.” to make false statements about their previous relationship. His case will go to trial in Might, 2023.

 

ADMIRAL ART MCDONALD

Investigation launched:

Feb. 2021

Investigation concluded:

Aug. 2021

Allegation:

Sexual misconduct

Final result:

No costs laid

Vance’s successor, Admiral Artwork McDonald, voluntarily stepped apart the identical month after it was revealed he too was beneath investigation. The main points of the sexual misconduct allegation haven't been made public. Numerous media retailers have reported that it pertains to an incident from 2010 throughout a social gathering aboard a warship. Provost Marshal Brig.-Gen. Simon Trudeau introduced in August that the investigation concluded there was not sufficient proof to put costs towards McDonald.

 

VICE-ADMIRAL HAYDN EDMUNDSON

Investigation launched:

March 2021

Investigation concluded:

Ongoing

Allegation:

Sexual assault

Final result:

Sexual assault, indecent acts

Vice-Admiral Edmundson, the officer as soon as answerable for human sources throughout the Forces, was placed on indefinite depart with pay in March as navy police launched an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault. Media reported snippets of the allegation introduced ahead by former navy member Stephanie Viau that particulars an incident that allegedly came about in 1991. On Dec. 7, navy police introduced Edmundson had been charged with one depend of sexual assault and one depend of indecent acts. The case will proceed by way of the civilian justice system.

 

MAJ. GEN. DANY FORTIN

Investigation launched:

Might 2021

Investigation concluded:

Aug. 2021

Allegation:

Sexual misconduct

Final result:

Charged with one depend of sexual assault (with Quebec prosecutor)

The previous head of Canada’s vaccine logistics, Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, was faraway from his place in Might, 5 days after the CFNIS referred a sexual misconduct investigation to the Quebec prosecution service. The allegation dates again to early 1988 when he was a scholar on the Royal Army Faculty in Saint-Jean, Que. In Aug., Fortin was charged with one depend of sexual assault. He stated he'll “vigorously” defend himself towards the cost. On Nov. 5, the defence attorneys and prosecutor agreed to postpone the listening to till Dec. 20. The decide agreed to the request.

 

LT.-GEN. STEVEN WHELAN

Investigation launched:

Might 2021

Investigation concluded:

Ongoing

Allegation:

Sexual misconduct

Final result:

TBD

Army police launched their investigation into “historic” allegations of sexual misconduct levied towards Lt. Gen. Steven Whelan in Might. Whelan was Edmundson’s successor. Regardless of the investigation, the senior commander stayed in his position whereas the probe was underway for 5 months. In October, Whelan agreed to step apart given “current developments” within the investigative course of.

 

LT.-GEN. TREVOR CADIEU

Investigation launched:

Sept. 2021

Investigation concluded:

Ongoing

Allegation:

Sexual misconduct

Final result:

TBD

The promotion of Lt.-Gen. Cadieu to the highest of the Canadian military was halted this fall after an investigation was launched following an allegation of sexual misconduct reported by a feminine veteran. Cadieu was scheduled to take over as commander on Sept. 7, however the ceremony was suspended two days prior because the CFNIS was investigating "historic allegations" towards him.