DISASTERS WAITING TO HAPPEN
Military junkets create PR problems
Aconga line dancing its way through a plane as it flew over Europe. Revellers who take over a bar and drink themselves into a stupor. What might sound like the antics of a university frat house are two more revelations of misbehaviour on VIP tours organized by the Canadian Forces.
On May 10, there will be an initial court hearing on the charges against former NHL player Dave “Tiger” Williams, who is accused of sexually assaulting a flight attendant on a military aircraft in December 2017.
But the case has also raised questions about conduct on other taxpayer-funded “morale tours” — and how the military, including Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance, has responded to inappropriate behaviour.
For the first time, two retired military officers with knowledge of the morale tours have disclosed that junkets bringing celebrities and athletes overseas — although generally positive — have long been considered public relations disasters waiting to happen.
They say that during a 2007 trip some passengers not only appeared intoxicated on the RCAF flight taking them to Afghanistan, they left the plane during a stop in Germany to continue drinking in the airport.
The officers, who did not want to be identified, also say that on a military flight to Afghanistan the following year, a conga line of more than 40 people danced up and down the aisles.
Louise Des Roches, a staffer with Vance’s office who describes herself as his chief of protocol on her LinkedIn page, would not comment on her planning of Williams’ trip or previous tours.
But the military has already acknowledged that VIP passengers on Williams’ flight were allowed to bring alcohol on board (although Williams is not visible, video footage of his flight showed people drinking and dancing to a band set up at the back of the plane).
Vance has also ordered an investigation into the December 2017 tour and “will render the necessary guidance and direction to ensure the safe and effective conduct of Team Canada and other special flights in the future,” the military said in a statement.
Questions remain, however, about when Vance knew of allegations against Williams — and whether the former hockey star should have been allowed to continue with his trip.
According to military police, the flight attendant immediately reported Williams’ behaviour.
In such circumstances, a significant incident report should have been sent to the military in Canada — including Vance’s office — while Team Canada was still in Europe.
Documents obtained by Postmedia show Vance was also on the tour, although he took separate transportation and joined the group in Latvia.
Vance’s office would not comment on when the flight attendant’s report was received or whether Vance discussed the alleged assault with Williams while they were on tour.
The Forces allowed Williams to continue on his trip: he played in a hockey game promoted on social media by the Canadian Embassy in Latvia and Williams returned on an RCAF aircraft to Ottawa on Dec. 7.
Military police were waiting to interview Williams when he landed, but he declined to talk to them.
Williams’ lawyer Michael Lacy said his client denies any wrongdoing and is confident he will be vindicated.
He also noted his client is a strong supporter of the military and has been on a number of morale tours.
“He looks forward to continuing his volunteer efforts when this matter is disposed of,” he added.