Defence Minister Bill Blair has presented fresh laws to take away the Canadian military’s authority to look into sexual misconduct; a change that advocates, survivors, and former Supreme Court of Canada justices have all requested.
“The proposed laws would give civilian authorities the exclusive authority to investigate and prosecute such crimes committed in Canada,” Blair said in a statement on Thursday.
Blair is modifying the National Defence Act as part of an effort to update the military justice system.
The adjustments were a key part of the recommendations made by former Supreme Court justices Louise Arbour and Morris Fish in two reports examining sexual misconduct in the Canadian Forces.
Arbour’s critical report released in 2022 revealed that the top ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces were “incapable” of recognizing the “deficient” aspects of a culture that perpetuate sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
Global News first revealed allegations in February 2021 of sexual misconduct involving senior leaders in the Canadian Forces — the first of many exclusive reports.
More to come…
-with files from Aaron D’Andrea, Mercedes Stephenson
