The former head of human resources of the Canadian Armed Forces is retiring before his case of sexual violence is tried next year.
A recent statement from senior members of the Force’s leadership to members confirms that Vice Admiral Haydn Edmundson, one of the top military leaders facing sexual misconduct charges, is retiring. Edmundson denies allegations of misconduct.
Edmundson was charged with sexual assault and indecent acts last year and was on indefinite paid leave for more than a year after reporting to CBC News. His lawyer, Brian Greenspan, said he looked forward to restoring “the client’s distinctive reputation for service to our country.”
On Tuesday, the announcement of the Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Francis Allen lists more than 50 promotions this year and nearly 30 retirements. Two former top leaders criticized for taking part in a controversial golf game will retire. A third, who is still under investigation for alleged sexual offenses, has already left.
The forces are in the midst of a major change in their ranks, with the army, air force and navy gaining new commanders.
The list of staff changes was signed on May 22nd, but was published days after a report by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbor on the sexual abuse crisis. The long-awaited report looks at how the military should best respond to the crisis that has hit the public’s public image for more than a year.
The Force has already begun implementing changes to its promotion and selection processes, including a new character assessment process, as part of its response to the report, according to the new announcement. The new vetting process has delayed the publication of the list of promotions, according to the announcement.
“The Canadian Armed Forces continues to add new rigor and science to the promotion process, starting with officers and flag officers,” the statement said. “This developed process takes more time than has traditionally been the case, and thus delays in promotion messages.”
The military is facing criticism for its vetting, as senior military officials face charges of misconduct. It was Edmundson investigated decades ago by forces for other allegations of misconduct and is not charged, according to many sources.
3 other retirements
The new message from the military leadership also mentions the former top military leader, who was ready to take command of the army as one of the recently retired.
Retired Lt. Gen. Trevor Cadillo is still under investigation by military police for allegations of sexual misconduct.
Cadillo told CBC News in April that he continued to cooperate in the investigation, but instead of “collecting a salary indefinitely” until the military could hire him, he chose to retire and explore other ways to contribute to greater good. “
Lt. Gen. Mike Roulo, who has faced intense public criticism after a controversial golf game, plans to retire this summer. (Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press)
Former Navy Commander Vice Admiral Craig Baines and former Deputy Army Commander Lieutenant General. Mike Roulo also plans to retire this summer, according to the announcement.
The couple faced intense public criticism after a controversial game of golf last year amid a relentless crisis of sexual violence.
Baines and Roulo met with former soldier, retired General Jonathan Vance, who was under investigation by military police at the time. Vance has since admitted to having sex with a subordinate, Major Kelly Brennan, while he was chief of defense after denying the allegations.
In April, Vance pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for repeatedly contacting Brennan and trying to persuade her to give false testimony to investigators about their relationship, according to court documents.
Trevor Cadillo, the top military leader ready to take command of the Canadian army, withdrew from the army earlier this month. (Phil LaPlante / CBC)
The chief of military police remains for another 2 years
Along with retirement, the military appoints Gen. Simon Trudeau will remain Vice Chancellor of the Canadian Forces for another two years. In this role, Trudeau is commander of the military police and adviser to the senior police officer.
The statement said Trudeau would remain in the role while implementing third-party recommendations for review.
The announcement comes on the same day that the Force announced publicly that Trudeau had recently apologized to two cadets from the Royal Military College for handling their case. A review of the military police revealed several problems with the way the military police investigated a case at the Canadian Officers’ Academy.
Last month, Trudeau also canceled the appointment of another high-ranking police officer after the officer faced sanctions three years ago for sexual comments. Commander-in-Chief Jonathan Lacoste was appointed commander-in-chief of the military police branch through a “recently established internal military police process” that forces told The Fifth Estate they would now reconsider.
Earlier this week, Arbor announced that he had recommended that the military be stripped of its powers granted in 1998 to investigate and prosecute sexual crimes.
“The consideration of sexual crimes by military courts over the last 20 years has done very little to improve efficiency, discipline and morale. If nothing else, it was used to undermine them, “Arbor said Monday as he presented his report.
“Therefore, I see no reason for the Canadian Armed Forces to retain any jurisdiction over sexual offenses, and that jurisdiction should be vested exclusively in civilian authorities.”
Add Comment