More than 140 military sexual misconduct investigations could be handed over to civilian police
CBC
Roughly 145 cases of sexual misconduct allegations involving Canadian Armed Forces members so far could be transferred to civilian police to investigate.
Defence Minister Anita Anand announced last week she would act on a recommendation to transfer military sexual misconduct cases to civilian police to investigate and to civilian courts for prosecution.
The Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal shared the number of cases under consideration for transfer to the civilian justice system with CBC News on Friday.
"This number could change as each case progresses and is assessed," Lt.-Cmdr. Jamie Bresolin, spokesperson for the provost marshal's office, told CBC News.
Bresolin said military police are now reviewing each investigation to see which cases should be handed over. The cases that will be transferred involve sexual assault allegations or other criminal offences of a sexual nature, the office said.
The government has not yet set up a process to transfer cases to the civilian judicial system. The provost marshal's office said it is "already engaged" with senior leaders at the RCMP and police chiefs across Canada on a path forward. Another meeting is scheduled for later this month.
In the meantime, military police investigators are continuing to investigate sexual misconduct cases to determine if charges can be laid under the National Defence Act, Bresolin said.
The Canadian Forces National Investigative Unit (CFNIS) currently investigates allegations of sexual assault and misconduct in the ranks. CFNIS has come in for intense scrutiny this year related to the ongoing sexual misconduct crisis.
Charlotte Duval-Lantoine, a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said the 145 cases represent about one case per 100 service members, and do not represent the full picture. The sexual misconduct crisis is likely worse than the numbers show, she said.
"It is well known that there [are] more people who have experienced sexual misconduct than those who report. And even when a complaint is brought forth, it is not always investigated," said Duval-Lantoine.
Since early February 2021, at least seven senior military leaders have been investigated by CFNIS over allegations of sexual misconduct. Three others were placed on leave over their handling of sexual misconduct files. Another commander was subjected to a unit disciplinary investigation.
One of those senior military leaders investigated by CFNIS is Canada's top commander, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Art McDonald, who is on leave with pay while the Prime Minister's Office considers his future.
McDonald denied the allegations and launched a public campaign for reinstatement, saying he was exonerated because charges were not laid and he should get his old job back.
In response, military police issued a rare statement saying the lack of charges did not mean the allegation was unfounded. The government is now reviewing the case. The position of chief of the defence staff is a governor-in-council appointment — meaning the prime minister can dismiss McDonald at any time.
Winter can be tough to bear. Even more so if you’re homeless.
Two future national First Nations leaders, a deputy premier and a city councillor are among the prominent Manitobans who appear in declassified intelligence files from years of RCMP spying on the Indigenous rights movement in the Cold War era.
Saskatoon city hall administration is planning to "refresh" the funding strategy for the proposed $1.2-billion downtown arena district amid a lack of commitments from higher levels of government.
A report of fraud tied to a walleye derby is under investigation after Montreal Lake Cree Nation said a participant allegedly violated derby rules and was asked to leave the fishing area.
An Edmonton architectural firm says it is in talks with the provincial government to potentially redevelop the former Royal Alberta Museum.
Does junior football have a future in Prince George?
People are descending upon the city for the dozens of events and live music performances this week as the Juno Awards are set to take place Sunday at Hamilton's TD Coliseum.
For nearly two decades, Amanda Loewen's world ended where the pavement did.
The notion that home ownership guarantees financial security in old age is being challenged by a recent survey.
The family of Nash Prystie has identified him as the man who died in an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) shooting earlier this month north of Kenora, and is calling for more and quicker help for people with mental health challenges.
Playoff action in the Ontario Hockey League gets underway Thursday night for Guelph and Friday in Kitchener.
UPEI wants its faculty to sign on to an updated version of its sexual assault and discrimination policy, but the union that represents the school's academic staff says it wants the policies to be part of its collective agreement.
In Texas this week for a global energy conference, the federal natural resources minister is proclaiming "Canada is back" and ready to bolster its energy sector and grow exports.