Skip to Main content

11.96°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 11, 2021 2:00 AM -

PMO knew existence of allegations against Vance, not specifics, in 2018: PM Trudeau

Share On

pmo-knew-existence-of-allegations-against-vance-not-specifics-in-2018-pm-trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Ottawa on March 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his office knew there was an allegation of sexual misconduct against then-defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance in 2018.

But Trudeau says he and others in government did not know the specifics of the allegation until a Global News report last month.

The prime minister made the comments this afternoon in the House of Commons, confirming that then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne spoke to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about an allegation against Vance in March 2018.

Trudeau says his office knew that Sajjan had directed Walbourne to take the allegation to "independent officials," but that those officials did not receive any further information and were unable to launch an investigation.

Global has reported that Vance allegedly had an ongoing relationship with a subordinate that continued after he became defence chief in 2015, and sent a lewd email to a much younger soldier in 2012. Vance has denied any wrongdoing.

Latest news

calgary-police-seize-cache-of-weapons-arrest-3-20-charges-laid

FeaturedSep 24, 2026

Calgary Police Seize Cache of Weapons, Arrest 3; 20 Charges Laid

Police have seized a large cache of weapons and arrested three people following a search of a home in northeast Calgary. According to police, officers executed a search warrant on Sept. 10 at a residence in the 100 block of Covington Rise N.E. The search resulted in the seizure of a Glock 17 handgun, an H&R Arms Co. .22-calibre revolver, a 3D-printed Glock 18 handgun, a 3D-printed Glock magazine and suppressor, a 3D printer and a replica BB gun. Staff Sgt. Matt Gao said every illegal firearm seized helps reduce the risk of someone being seriously harmed or killed in the community. The thre

Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Ford Pickup in Hope

A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a Ford pickup truck on Highway 3 in the Hope area of B.C. Wednesday night. Hope RCMP said police received a report of the collision at around 8:38 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, the pedestrian had already died. Just minutes before the crash, police had also received a report of a person walking in the slow lane near the Highway 1 junction on Highway 5. Police said the truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Corporal Carmen Keener said there were no initial indications that alcohol was a factor.

CanadaSep 24, 2026

Canada Lifts Deportation Pause for Four Middle Eastern Countries

Canada has lifted a temporary suspension on removals to four Middle Eastern countries, meaning deportation proceedings for individuals from those countries who are not legally admissible to remain in Canada can resume immediately. The temporary pause had been introduced amid security concerns arising from the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, which raised concerns about the safety of civilians in the region. The suspension applied to removals to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The Canada Border Services Agency has now announced that the pause has been lifted. As a result, indi

trumps-possible-u-s-diesel-export-ban-could-drive-up-global-prices

CanadaSep 24, 2026

Trump’s Possible U.S. Diesel Export Ban Could Drive Up Global Prices

Consumers in Canada and around the world could face higher costs if U.S. President Donald Trump moves ahead with a potential ban on American diesel exports. Trump has recently indicated that he could restrict diesel exports in an effort to lower prices for U.S. consumers. Rising oil prices linked to the war in the Middle East are creating political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections, with Republicans facing the risk of losing control of Congress. Media reports suggest the proposed restriction could remain in place for 90 days. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed t

Former BC Conservative leader John Rustad will not seek re-election

Former BC Conservative leader John Rustad will not seek re-election in his riding in the Oct. 24 provincial election, with the party expected to nominate a new candidate there. The political development comes as the BC Conservatives announced business and political leader Pavneet Singh as their candidate in Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. Singh currently serves as the party’s vice-president. The party’s board of directors has also outlined its position on the leadership of interim leader Lorne Doerkson. According to a statement from the board, if Doerkson leads the party to victory in the

Related News

Calgary Police Seize Cache of Weapons, Arrest 3; 20 Charges Laid

Calgary Police Seize Cache of Weapons, Arrest 3; 20 Charges Laid

Police have seized a large cache of weapons and arrested three people following a search of a home in northeast Calgary. According to police, officers executed a search warrant on Sept. 10 at a residence in the 100 block of Covington Rise N.E. The search resulted in the seizure of a Glock 17 handgun, an H&R Arms Co. .22-calibre revolver, a 3D-printed Glock 18 handgun, a 3D-printed Glock magazine and suppressor, a 3D printer and a replica BB gun. Staff Sgt. Matt Gao said every illegal firearm seized helps reduce the risk of someone being seriously harmed or killed in the community. The thre

Canada Lifts Deportation Pause for Four Middle Eastern Countries

Canada Lifts Deportation Pause for Four Middle Eastern Countries

Canada has lifted a temporary suspension on removals to four Middle Eastern countries, meaning deportation proceedings for individuals from those countries who are not legally admissible to remain in Canada can resume immediately. The temporary pause had been introduced amid security concerns arising from the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, which raised concerns about the safety of civilians in the region. The suspension applied to removals to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The Canada Border Services Agency has now announced that the pause has been lifted. As a result, indi

Trump’s Possible U.S. Diesel Export Ban Could Drive Up Global Prices

Trump’s Possible U.S. Diesel Export Ban Could Drive Up Global Prices

Consumers in Canada and around the world could face higher costs if U.S. President Donald Trump moves ahead with a potential ban on American diesel exports. Trump has recently indicated that he could restrict diesel exports in an effort to lower prices for U.S. consumers. Rising oil prices linked to the war in the Middle East are creating political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections, with Republicans facing the risk of losing control of Congress. Media reports suggest the proposed restriction could remain in place for 90 days. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed t

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital