11.19°C Vancouver

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

poilievre-communications-director-katy-merrifield-to-step-down-this-week
BCApr 08, 2026

Poilievre communications director Katy Merrifield to step down this week

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s communications director, Katy Merrifield, is stepping down from her role, according to an internal email sent to the Conservative caucus on Tuesday. In the message, Merrifield said her last day in the Opposition Leader’s Office will be Friday. She also outlined changes to the senior communications team, stating that Micah Green will take over as communications director and Sam Lilly will become media relations director. Merrifield said both appointments were made at her recommendation. Merrifield joined Poilievre’s team in 2025, around the time the
carney-european-leaders-welcome-reported-u-s-iran-ceasefire-call-for-broader-diplomatic-talks
CanadaApr 08, 2026

Carney, European leaders welcome reported U.S.–Iran ceasefire, call for broader diplomatic talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney and nine European leaders say they welcome a reported two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a joint statement released Wednesday. The statement follows remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Tuesday that an agreement had been reached after tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Trump had earlier warned of severe consequences if negotiations to reopen the waterway failed. According to Trump’s social media posts, discussions between the United States and Iran are expected to include reconstruction ef
WorldApr 08, 2026

U.S., Iran agree to two-week ceasefire amid reports of Pakistan, China mediation

The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire following approximately 40 days of conflict, according to statements attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump and media reports. The pause in hostilities is expected to halt attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran during the agreed period. Trump said the decision followed appeals from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country’s military leadership. Reports also indicate the arrangement was facilitated through Pakistan’s mediation, with last-minute diplomatic involvement from China. These claims ha
carney-to-speak-with-canadian-astronaut-jeremy-hansen-following-artemis-ii-lunar-flyby
CanadaApr 08, 2026

Carney to speak with Canadian astronaut after Artemis II lunar flyby

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to speak today with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen following the completion of the Artemis II mission’s lunar flyby, according to a media advisory from the Canadian Space Agency. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is also expected to participate in the call, the agency said. Hansen and three American crewmates completed a six-hour flyby of the moon on Monday, travelling farther into space than any human mission to date and surpassing the distance record set during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, according to the Canadian Space Agency. Carney has said Can
BCApr 07, 2026

Vaisakhi match at BC Place, Whitecaps win thriller against Portland Timbers

On Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps played the Vaisakhi match at the iconic BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. The team dedicated its April 4 match to Vaisakhi and for this reason, the match against the Portland Timbers was named the Vaisakhi match.Bhangra performance by Naam Bhangra, Anmol Rattan and YBC Bhangra at BC Place stadium.During the Vaisakhi celebrations, performances related to Bhangra and Punjabi music were seen during the pre-game and half-time. More than 24,400 spectators had arrived to watch this match.Bhangra performance by Naam bhangra, Anmol Rattan and UBC bhangra during the

Related News