Sajjan censured by House of Commons over military sexual misconduct

A motion was passed in the House of Commons last night targeting Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.

Sajjan has been under heavy criticism since former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne revealed that he first flagged an allegation of sexual misconduct involving then-defence chief Jonathan Vance to the minister in March 2018.

While Sajjan and the Liberal government say he followed all proper procedures, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole accuses the minister of consistently failing victims of sexual misconduct in the military.

He also alleges Sajjan misled Canadians about his military service and the need to buy second-hand fighter jets from Australia, and oversaw the failed prosecution of retired vice-admiral Mark Norman.

O'Toole says that's why his party used its last opposition day before Parliament rises for the summer to force members of Parliament to vote on the motion to censure Sajjan.

The Conservative motion is symbolic, and O'Toole says it will ultimately be up to voters in Sajjan's Vancouver riding to decide whether he should continue to serve in Parliament.