Admiral plans to return as defence chief after probe

OTTAWA — Admiral Art McDonald plans to return as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces after military police opted not to charge him following an investigation into his conduct, but the Liberal government does not appear ready to welcome him back.

McDonald quit in February as chief of the defence staff as a result of a Canadian Forces investigation into an allegation of misconduct.

On Wednesday, McDonald’s legal team said the naval officer would be returning to the position after the nearly six-month investigation “exonerated” him.

“Given that it was his decision to step aside, it is now his decision — indeed obligation — to return to his duties,” reads a statement issued by lawyers Michael Edelson and Rory Fowler.

“Admiral McDonald, who has long been recognized as a proven leader of culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces, will now return to his duties as chief of defence staff.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office did not immediately respond to news of McDonald’s plan to take back command of the military from acting defence chief Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre.

But Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said he expects McDonald to wait.

“My expectation is that Admiral McDonald will remain on leave while we while we review this situation,” he said at a news conference in Vancouver, Wednesday.

“The position of chief of defence staff must always uphold the highest standard within the Canadian Armed Forces because of responsibility of that position and the weight that it holds. And also I want to say that Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces are very well served by the current acting chief of defence staff Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre.”

The Forces’ National Investigation Service announced the end of the probe into McDonald’s conduct late Friday, saying they had decided there was not enough evidence to charge McDonald under either the Criminal Code or the military’s code.

McDonald’s lawyers said the fact military police couldn’t find enough evidence to charge him even under the disciplinary code was evidence any allegations were unfounded.

The nature of the allegation against McDonald has not been publicly confirmed, but CBC has reported that it related to an allegation of sexual misconduct dating back to his time commanding a Canadian warship in 2010.

Global News has reported that Lt. Heather Macdonald, a navy combat systems engineer, came forward with the allegation against McDonald.