Full accounting required for military mess

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/03/2021 (1853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Six years ago, former Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps published a damning report calling sexual misconduct in Canada’s military “endemic.” That landmark 2015 report outlined a “hostile” and “toxic” culture complicated by the power imbalances in the military’s strict chain-of-command structure.

What has changed since Justice Deschamps sounded the alarm? Apparently, not much. In fact, the evidence of recent weeks suggests the problem of sexual misconduct has only gotten worse and extends to the highest ranks of the military.

The first bombshell dropped on Feb. 2 when news broke that Gen. Jonathan Vance, the architect of the military’s campaign to stamp out rampant sexual misconduct, was himself facing allegations of inappropriate relations with two female subordinates. Mr. Vance, whose first order as Canada’s top military commander was to launch an all-out effort against sexual misconduct, had officially stepped down as Canada’s chief of defence staff at a low-key ceremony on Jan. 14.

His replacement, Admiral Art McDonald, used his first address as Canada’s top soldier to apologize to Forces members who have faced discrimination or harassment while serving. On Feb. 24, Mr. McDonald issued an email to all serving members and civilian workers at the Defence Department to restore the rank and file’s trust in their senior leadership’s ability to eradicate sexual misconduct and racism with the Forces.

The second bombshell dropped within hours of Mr. McDonald pushing the send button, when it was revealed that, like his predecessor, the new commander was now being investigated over allegations of sexual misconduct.

National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan quickly issued a statement that Mr. McDonald would be voluntarily “stepping aside” from his post until the military’s National Investigation Service has completed its probe.

Late last month, in an appearance on CTV’s Question Period, the minister said the military needs to start preventing incidents of misconduct, rather than reacting to them, bravely declaring: “The time for patience is over.”

Last Wednesday, bombshell No. 3 was detonated in front of a parliamentary committee when Canada’s former military ombudsman, Gary Walbourne, revealed that in his final meeting with the minister three years ago, he informed Mr. Sajjan there was a sexual misconduct allegation involving Mr. Vance.

Mr. Walbourne delivered a blistering indictment of Mr. Sajjan’s handling of the information. “I did tell the minister what the allegation was. I reached into my pocket to show him the evidence I was holding. He pushed back from the table and said, ‘No,’ and I don’t think we exchanged another word,” he testified.

Who are Canadians to believe when two top commanders — both of whom deny any wrongdoing — are being investigated for alleged inappropriate conduct? How can they have faith in a defence minister’s promises when he himself is accused of refusing to take action when handed evidence against one of the commanders?

In 2015, Justice Deschamps recommended that an organization be established — completely independent of the military chain of command — to handle misconduct complaints. That would be an excellent starting point, because it’s hard to imagine victims of sexual misconduct in the ranks stepping forward if they fear it will harm their military careers.

But more is needed. At a time when top commanders are facing damning accusations and their political master is accused of inaction, a full-scale public inquiry is in order to restore the public’s confidence.

As someone recently observed, “The time for patience is over.”