Military police said the absence of charges against Admiral Art McDonald does not mean the allegation of sexual misconduct against the former military commander was unfounded.
In a media statement released today, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal said the “allegation of sexual misconduct against Admiral McDonald” did not result in charges due to “insufficient evidence”.
“This does not mean that the allegation was unfounded, which is defined by Statistics Canada as:” After a police investigation, it is concluded that no violation of the law has taken place or has been attempted, “the statement continued.
McDonald launched a public campaign last week to return to his former command as Chief of the Defense Staff. In a letter to military generals and general officers, McDonald argued that military police had exonerated him from any wrongdoing and he should be reinstated.
He resigned from his post in February after CBC News and the Ottawa Citizen learned he was under military police investigation into a ten-year-old allegation of misconduct.
The Provost Marshal first released the statement to Global News, making the point legal experts made last week.
The woman at the center of the McDonald’s allegation, Lt. Heather Macdonald, told Global News McDonald’s letter amounted to a public attack on his integrity and that witnesses corroborated his statement to military police.
WATCH | Admiral McDonald has not yet returned to lead the military, the government says:
Admiral Art McDonald wants to resume the role of Chief of Defense Staff for Canada after an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct does not result in any charges, but the government says this is not happening not yet produced. 2:04
In August, McDonald’s legal team released a statement saying he was returning to his post as Chief of the Defense Staff after a five-month investigation that failed to result in criminal charges. But the Privy Council Office (PCO) said it would remain on leave while “the matter is fully reconsidered.”
The position of Chief of the Defense Staff is a Governor in Council appointment, which means that the Prime Minister can remove the chief at any time.
PCO has yet to release a statement on the future of McDonald’s.
“This suspension remains in effect,” BCP said in a statement to CBC News on Oct. 5. “The government is evaluating all the circumstances to determine the next steps.”
PCO said earlier this month that, according to the government’s ethics policy, “public office holders have an obligation to perform their official duties in a manner that will withstand public scrutiny the most. stringent, an obligation that is not fully met by simply acting within the framework of the law. “
The Provost Marshal’s office also said it wanted to assure survivors and victims who come forward that military police do not “disclose” investigative information about an investigation when informed of the outcome.
In his letter last week, McDonald said he was happy with the investigation because it “concluded that the allegations against me were unfounded – the outcome of which I was sure.”
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