Alleged assaults involved male cadet
A Canadian Forces commanding officer is facing a number of sexual charges involving a teenaged male army cadet, the latest blow to the military’s already battered reputation on sexual harassment and assaults in the ranks.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) on Tuesday charged Lt.-Col. Mason Stalker, 40, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton.
He faces three counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual interference, one count of invitation to sexual touching and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
The offences are alleged to have occurred from 1998 to 2007 in Edmonton, while Stalker was involved as a mentor with a local army cadet corps.
The CFNIS is not releasing details about which army cadet unit was involved in the alleged offences.
The victim was a minor. No details were provided on the age of the individual, but CFNIS spokeswoman Capt. Joanna Labonte described him as a “teenager.” Army cadets can range in age from 12 to 18.
Stalker was a lieutenant, and later a captain, when the alleged incidents took place, Labonte said. He was a regular force member of the military who was also volunteering as a mentor for the cadets.
Stalker appeared before an Edmonton Justice of the Peace Tuesday and was released on $2,500 bail, with conditions that include not contacting cadets under age 18 and staying away from places children gather, such as parks and pools.
The charges are yet another hit to the reputation of the Canadian Forces, which has been reeling from allegations of widespread sexual harassment and assault in the ranks.
Earlier this year, former Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps released a report concluding that sexual misconduct is “endemic” in the Canadian military. She took the leadership to task for not doing enough.
Former chief of the defence staff Gen. Tom Lawson, who retired in July, also faced criticism for not taking the situation seriously enough and suggesting such incidents can be traced to biological issues.
“It would be a trite answer, but it’s because we’re biologically wired in a certain way, and there will be those who believe it is a reasonable thing to press themselves and their desires on others,” Lawson said in an interview.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper called Lawson’s com- ments “offensive, inappropriate and completely unacceptable.” Lawson apologized for them.
Last week, his successor, Gen. Jonathan Vance, issued a Forces-wide message, noting he would not tolerate sexual misconduct.
“Whether you are a leader, a subordinate or a peer, any form of harmful sexual behaviour undermines who we are, is a threat to morale, is a threat to operational readiness and is a threat to this institution,” Vance wrote. “It stops now.”
Military sources say Vance’s tough message was aimed at undoing the public relations damage caused by Lawson’s actions. Vance will also hold a summit in August with Canadian military leaders to deal with eliminating sexual assault and harassment in the Forces.
The general noted that under his watch the Canadian Forces is committed to quickly following through on all of Deschamps’ recommendations.
Stalker has twice received a Meritorious Service Medal for his role in Canada’s war in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, he led the military’s fight against wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.
He took command of Edmonton’s 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in August 2014.
In 2012, Stalker received his second Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General for displaying “leadership and tactical acumen.”
“Responsible for operations in the most volatile and violent region of Afghanistan, he was instrumental to operational success and significantly contributed to defeating the insurgents,” said a government news release issued at the time.
He also received a Meritorious Service Medal in 2007 for his “determined leadership” in Afghanistan the previous year.
Stalker “motivated his large, diverse staff to give their very best,” a news release issued at the time said. His “unparalleled dedication brought great credit to Task Force Afghanistan and to the Canadian Forces.”
Stalker’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 20.
Deschamps’ report on the military contained 10 recommendations, many of which focused on an independent centre that would receive reports of inappropriate sexual misconduct, as well as oversee prevention, victim support and research.