Senior military official steps aside months after start of sexual misconduct investigation

The Canadian Armed Forces' commander of military personnel isunder investigation for sexual misconduct andhas stepped aside fromthe role.

The military confirmed late Friday that Lt.-Gen. Steven Whelanis facingan allegation of sexual misconduct that has been under investigation since at least June 2.

He remained in the senior role for more than four months after acting chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan learned of the investigation.

The CAF said that Whelan "was not to be made aware of itdue to possible impacts on the investigation," which isongoing.

"Given recent developments, after discussing with the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, LGen Whelan agrees he must step aside as the Commander, Military Personnel, effective immediately," the CAF statement continued.

The Globe and Mail first reported news of the investigation into Whelan.

TheCanadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), the investigative branch of the military police, confirmed in a separate statement that it is investigating the allegationbut said that no further information could be released.

"The Military Police do not, by practice, proactively disclose the existence of ongoing investigations. This is standard procedure amongst all police forces as disclosing if someone is being investigated could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation," theCFNIS said.

Whelan's predecessor as head of military personnel,Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, was placed on indefinite leave with pay in March after CBC News reported about allegations of rape made against him by a former military member.

Edmundson deniesthe allegations.

Whelan has been with the military since 1990and was appointedcommander of military personnelin May 2021, according to hisbiography pagewith the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR). He also serves as chair of the senate at the RCR, which is the army'ssenior infantry regiment.

The military in crisis

The military is in the midst of an ongoing sexual misconduct crisis, and several senior leaders facing allegationshave been puton leave with pay.

Canada's former top military commander, retired general Jonathan Vance, is charged with one count of obstruction of justicein relation to an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct that he denies.

His successor, Admiral Art McDonald, was placed on leave over an investigation into sexual misconduct claims that he denied and that didn't lead tocriminal charges.

Maj.-Gen. Peter Dawe, who once provided a character reference for a soldier being sentenced for sexual assault, was recently tapped fora key role in the military's response tosexual misconduct before his appointment was rescinded.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior government officials have pledged to conduct a thorough review of military culture following the recent misconduct scandals.

The allegations against numerous military leaders have also prompted calls for Sajjan's resignation.

A spokesperson for the defence minister said Sajjan was also unable tocomment on the investigation.

"The minister requested that the complainant receive all necessary support," said Todd Lane.