The Canadian Military’s Sexual Misconduct Crisis Explained
Why the Canadian military is embroiled in another moment of reckoning. Zi-Ann Lum Updated
May 12, 2021
The facade of the headquarters of the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. (Photo: The Canadian Press / Adrian Wyld)
The Canadian military is embroiled in another moment of reckoning. Separate allegations of sexual misconduct against former chief of defence staff General Jonathan Vance and his successor, Admiral Art McDonald, have spurred a controversy that is testing the armed forces’ commitment to eradicating sexual harassment and violence and the federal government’s “feminist approach” to policy. (Vance has denied the allegations and McDonald has not commented publicly, citing an ongoing investigation.)
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Senior members of the Liberal government have become ensnared by allegations that they hushed up or ignored 2018 revelations that Canada’s top soldier was facing a sexual misconduct accusation.
It’s just the latest development in a scandal centring on Gen. Jonathan Vance, the former chief of defence staff who once vowed to root out sexual misconduct in the Canadian military but was allegedly simultaneously carrying on a clandestine affair with a subordinate.
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Opinion: If Canada s military really intends to solve its sexual misconduct crisis, the will must come from within theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Author of the article: Brian Lilley
Publishing date: May 05, 2021 • 3 hours ago • 3 minute read • Former chief of defence staff Jonathan Vance and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listen to Canada s Governor General Julie Payette delivering the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2020. Photo by Adrian Wyld /Pool via REUTERS
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Justin Trudeau is not a feminist, according to Candice Bergen, deputy leader of the Conservative Party. Bergen was quizzing Trudeau Wednesday about his handling of sexual misconduct in the military when she laid into his record.
“One thing we do know is this prime minister is not a feminist. His record when it comes to the treatment of women is abysmal,” Bergen said during question period.