8.68°C Vancouver

Aug 11, 2021 7:15 PM -

Admiral McDonald says he is returning as defence chief after misconduct investigation

Share On
admiral-mcdonald-says-he-is-returning-as-defence-chief-after-misconduct-investigation
Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, the new head of the Navy, addresses the audience at the Royal Canadian Navy Change of Command ceremony in Halifax, Wednesday, June 12, 2019. McDonald says he has decided to return to his position as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces after military investigators opted not to charge him following an investigation into his conduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Admiral Art McDonald says he has decided to return to his position as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces after military investigators opted not to charge him following an investigation into his conduct.

McDonald stepped down in February as chief of the defence staff as a result of a Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigation into an allegation of misconduct.

But in a statement released by his legal team this afternoon, McDonald says he is returning to the position after the six-month investigation completely exonerated him and that he is returning to his post.

It was not immediately clear whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan were aware of McDonald's plan to take back command of the military from acting defence chief Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre.

The Liberal government has faced calls not to reinstate McDonald, with some experts and victim's advocates questioning the decision to have military police investigate Canada's top military officer.

McDonald in his statement says he co-operated fully during the investigation, and cited the need to respect due process in Canada.

Latest news

liberal-minister-signals-possible-further-mp-defections-as-government-nears-majority
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Liberal minister signals possible further MP defections as government nears majority

A federal cabinet minister says the governing Liberals are hearing increased interest from opposition MPs following a recent high-profile defection that has brought the government to the brink of a majority in the House of Commons. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson told reporters Tuesday that he has received “lots of inquiries” when asked whether additional MPs are considering crossing the floor to join the Liberal caucus. His comments come days after Ontario MP Michael Ma left the Conservative Party to sit with the Liberals. Ma’s move has left the Liberals one seat short of a majority, a shif
b-c-braces-for-more-flooding-as-heavy-rain-forecast-across-fraser-valley-and-vancouver-island
BCDec 15, 2025

B.C. braces for more flooding as heavy rain forecast across Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island

The B.C. government is warning that heavy rain expected across parts of the province could lead to additional flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities say the Sumas and Chilliwack Rivers remain under flood warnings, though rainfall is anticipated to be less severe than last week’s storms that caused extensive flooding in Abbotsford. Environment Canada has issued "high impact" rainfall warnings for the Fraser and Skagit valleys, with some areas expected to receive up to 80 millimetres of rain, particularly in higher elevations. Officials cautioned that the situation is unpredictable and that
three-children-die-from-flu-related-complications-in-ottawa-eastern-ontario-as-cases-surge
CanadaDec 15, 2025

Three children die from flu-related complications in Ottawa, eastern Ontario as cases surge

Public health officials in Ottawa and eastern Ontario say three children have died from complications linked to influenza over the past two weeks, underscoring growing concerns as flu activity rises sharply across the province. Medical officers of health for Ottawa and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit say the children were between the ages of five and nine. Officials describe the recent deaths as rare but serious, noting that influenza can lead to severe illness, particularly among young children. Health units report a rapid and significant increase in Influenza A activity across Ontario, with
b-c-police-watchdog-investigates-fatal-collision-involving-surrey-police-vehicle
BCDec 15, 2025

B.C. police watchdog investigates fatal collision involving Surrey police vehicle

British Columbia’s police oversight agency has launched an investigation after a woman was struck and killed by a Surrey police vehicle late Sunday night. Surrey Police Service says the incident occurred at a busy intersection near 152 Street and 64 Avenue, an area that serves as a major commuter route for residents travelling through the city and into Metro Vancouver. Despite immediate medical assistance from first responders, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the woman’s identity, and further details about the circumstances leading up to the collis
IndiaDec 15, 2025

Bomb Threat Emails Sent to Around 11 Schools in Jalandhar, Police Launch Investigation

Authorities in Punjab are investigating bomb threat emails sent to approximately 11 schools in Jalandhar, prompting temporary closures and heightened security measures across the city. The threats were received by email early Monday morning, according to district officials. The incident comes just days after similar bomb threats were reported at several schools in Amritsar, raising concerns among parents, educators, and local authorities about student safety. In Jalandhar, school administrations alerted police after receiving the emails, leading to immediate search operations on school premise

Related News