10.39°C Vancouver

Jun 17, 2021 4:04 PM -

Tories to force House of Commons vote on motion to censure the defence minister

Share On
tories-to-force-house-of-commons-vote-on-motion-to-censure-the-defence-minister
Then chief of the defence staff Jonathan Vance sits in the front row during a news conference Friday, June 26, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says his party will force the House of Commons to vote on a motion 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, O'Toole says the minister has consistently failed victims of sexual misconduct in the military.

O'Toole alleges Sajjan has also 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 is why his party will use its last opposition day before Parliament rises for the summer to force members of Parliament to express its disappointment with the minister.

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.

Latest news

former-punjab-minister-laljit-singh-bhullar-remanded-for-three-more-days-in-suicide-case-probe
IndiaMar 30, 2026

Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar remanded for three more days in suicide case probe

A court in Punjab has extended the police remand of former Aam Aadmi Party minister Laljit Singh Bhullar by three days after his initial five-day custody period ended. He was produced in court following the expiry of the earlier remand. According to police, investigators have not yet recovered key evidence, including a mobile phone, during questioning. Authorities told the court that further custodial interrogation is required as part of the ongoing investigation. Bhullar was arrested in connection with the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corpo
b-c-union-calls-for-expanded-work-from-home-policy-amid-rising-fuel-costs
BCMar 30, 2026

B.C. union calls for expanded work-from-home policy amid rising fuel costs

The B.C. General Employees’ Union is urging the provincial government to allow full-time remote work for provincially regulated employees as fuel prices rise, citing financial pressure on workers. In a statement, the union – which represents about 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members – said a temporary work-from-home policy would help offset costs linked to higher gasoline prices. The increase is tied to global supply concerns amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the union. The union also called on the province to consider additional relief measures for em
b-c-conservative-leadership-candidate-fulmer-signs-electoral-pact-with-onebcs-brodie
BCMar 30, 2026

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Fulmer signs electoral pact with OneBC’s Brodie

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer has entered into a “unite the right” agreement with former Conservative MLA Dallas Brodie, aimed at preventing vote-splitting if Fulmer becomes leader of the Opposition. According to a joint statement released by the two camps, Brodie’s OneBC party would refrain from running candidates in 88 of British Columbia’s 93 ridings. In exchange, the Conservatives would not field candidates in five unspecified ridings. Brodie, who was removed from the Conservative caucus last year by then-leader John Rustad, said she is offering her “full sup
authorities-warn-of-world-cup-related-fraud-schemes-as-tournament-approaches
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Authorities warn of World Cup-related fraud schemes as tournament approaches

Canadian authorities are warning residents and international visitors to be alert to fraud schemes linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, as demand grows for tickets, travel and accommodations. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with policing partners in host cities Toronto and Vancouver, issued the advisory, saying fraudsters may attempt to exploit interest in the tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the United States and Mexico. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, investigators are tracking several types of suspected scams, including fake ticket sales, fraudulent short-ter
police-reported-hate-crimes-level-off-in-2024-after-multi-year-rise-statistics-canada-says
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Police-reported hate crimes level off in 2024 after multi-year rise, Statistics Canada says

The number of police-reported hate crimes in Canada remained largely unchanged in 2024 following several years of sharp increases, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The agency reported 4,882 hate crimes in 2024, marking a one per cent increase over the previous year. The latest figures follow a 34 per cent rise between 2022 and 2023, and a broader trend that has seen reported incidents more than double since 2018, according to the federal data agency. Statistics Canada said incidents targeting race or ethnicity increased by eight per cent in 2024. At the same time, police-re

Related News