EX-DEFENCE CHIEF CHARGED
One count of obstruction of justice
In an unprecedented move, Canada's former top soldier Gen. Jonathan Vance has been charged with obstruction of justice. National Defence issued a statement Thursday that the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service charged the retired general with one count of obstructing justice, contrary to Section 139 of the Criminal Code.
Vance, who was one of the longest-serving chiefs of the defence staff in Canada's history, was put under police investigation in February after various allegations of misconduct were made. “It was during the course of this investigation that the obstruction of justice is alleged to have occurred,” the National Defence statement noted.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service decided to pursue the charge in the civilian justice system because of the limitations of the military justice system. National Defence declined to release further details.
Vance was alleged to have had an affair with Maj. Kellie Brennan, who claimed the general had fathered two of her eight children.
In April, Brennan testified at the Commons status of women committee that Vance told her to lie when she was being interviewed by military police looking into her allegations against the general.
Brennan has said she was in a 20-year relationship with the general, but felt she had little choice but to continue that relationship because of his senior rank.
Brennan said she turned over to the CFNIS audio recordings of Vance plus texts and emails he sent her.
Brennan's claims before the Commons committee cannot be independently verified.
National Defence noted that the charge against Vance is unproven.
Vance has not responded to requests for comment from Postmedia News, but he has told Global News he has done nothing inappropriate.
The CFNIS investigation started shortly after Vance left the defence chief position to retire and was prompted by Brennan's allegations, which were first aired on Global News. Brennan had provided details in the Feb. 21 Global interview about what she said was her 20-year relationship with Vance. That relationship started when Vance was her boss and continued as he advanced in his career, she alleged. They had sex in his office, at his house and in cars, Brennan said.
Brennan also claimed senior military leaders knew about her relationship with Vance because she told them.
Brennan alleged in her interview with Global News that she and Vance had sex one night before he was sworn in as chief of the defence staff in July 2015. At the time, she added, Vance wanted to get her views on the speech he would deliver the next day.
(DND) NOTED THAT THE CHARGE AGAINST VANCE IS UNPROVEN.
In that speech, Vance condemned inappropriate sexual behaviour and warned that it would not be tolerated under his command. “Any form of harmful sexual behaviour has been and always will be absolutely contrary to good order and discipline,” Vance said in his address. “It is a threat to morale. It is a threat to operational readiness and a threat to this institution.”
The CFNIS also has ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct against other senior leaders.
The Commons defence committee has also heard that, in March 2018, Canadian Forces Ombudsman Gary Walbourne brought Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan details about allegations of sexual misconduct involving Vance. Sajjan declined to accept the evidence. The Prime Minister's Office and Privy Council Office were also informed there were allegations. That incident involved an inappropriate message allegedly sent to a younger female soldier by Vance.
Vance has said he did not remember sending the message, but, if he had, it could have been as a joke.
In addition, the Commons defence committee heard testimony earlier this year that the previous government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper also examined allegations against Vance. Harper met with the general in 2015 and received assurances from senior defence officials and bureaucrats that the allegations were unfounded.