Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Art McDonald has stepped aside from his post while an investigation is conducted by the force’s national investigation service.
In a statement released late Wednesday evening, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) is investigating McDonald.
The CFNIS is the investigative arm of the Canadian military police.
It was not immediately clear what the investigation was in regards to.
Global News has reached out to the Department of National Defence to determine the nature of the investigation, but did not immediately hear back.
Below is my statement in regards to Admiral Art McDonald. pic.twitter.com/Qlvtl8XdsM
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) February 25, 2021
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“I was informed that Admiral Art McDonald has voluntarily stepped aside while the investigation is ongoing,” the statement read.
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Sajjan said he has appointed Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre as Acting Chief of the Defence staff.
“I will have no further comment at this time due to the ongoing investigation,” Sajjan said in the statement.
McDonald was appointed Chief of Defence staff last month.
Before his appointment, he served as the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.
During his swearing-in ceremony last month, McDonald apologized to his military colleagues who have experienced racism, discriminatory behaviour and or hateful conduct.
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Im deeply sorry, he said. I want you to know that I will do all that I can to support you, to stop these unacceptable acts from happening, and to put into practice our guiding principle: respect and the dignity of all persons. Creating a respectful environment is a responsibility that we all share.
McDonald told reporters he felt it was necessary that he apologize because he too was guilty of unintentionally perpetuating some of the issues within the force.
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McDonald replaced General Jonathan Vance, who recently retired from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Military investigators are currently probing allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Vance.
-More to come…
-With files from the Canadian Press
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