No charges against top soldier
• An investigation into the conduct of Canada's top military officer Admiral Art Mcdonald has ended with police saying there is not enough evidence to lay charges.
Provost Marshal Brig.gen. Simon Trudeau announced the end of the investigation on Friday evening, nearly six months after the Canadian Forces National Investigation revealed that it was investigating the chief of defence staff.
“The CFNIS was able to both identify and interview a large number of potential witnesses,” Trudeau said. “The evidence gathered from these witnesses was considered in the ultimate determination that the evidence did not support the laying of any charges.”
The decision paves the way for Mcdonald to return to his position as commander of the Canadian Armed Forces after he voluntarily stepped down in February due to revelations about the military police investigation.
But it is also likely to spark fresh questions about the military's ability to properly address allegations of misconduct involving top officers.
The nature of the allegation against Mcdonald has not been publicly confirmed, but CBC reported in February 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 navy Lt. Heather Macdonald, a navy combat systems engineer, came forward with the allegation against Mcdonald. Macdonald was quoted by Global on Friday as saying she was upset by the military police decision.
“I am not surprised as this was exactly why I was reluctant to come forward and why most survivors don't come forward. It's not worth it. I feel a little like I've gone through hell for nothing,” Macdonald was quoted as saying.
Trudeau in his statement emphasized the independence of his military police investigators. He added that no further information would be provided.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's spokesman Todd Lane refused to comment on Friday, including on whether Mcdonald would be reinstated as chief of the defence staff.