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Media Analysis

Media Analysis on Sexual Misconduct in the CAF

March 4, 2021

Key Developments

Former Ombudsman Gary Walbourne Testifies at NDDN Committee

On March 3, former Ombudsman Gary Walbourne provided testimony during NDDN committee, advising that he presented the Minister with “concrete evidence” of Gen (ret’d) Vance’s misconduct. Following the meeting, his job became untenable due to the Minister’s ongoing refusal to meet with him. In addition, Walbourne stated that initial hostilities began when he wrote a 2017 Governance Report advocating for the ombudsman’s office to be independent from DND. A recommendation that was rejected by the Minister.

Media coverage has been extensive and negative with widespread national reporting from CBC, CTV and Global. Political commentators are calling the testimony “damning” and social media commentary focuses on the contradiction in the testimonies of Minister Sajjan and Walbourne, with the majority of comments questioning the Minister’s leadership and calling for his resignation. Of note, some commentary is accusing Walbourne of being connected to the Conservative Party. Reporting from verified political journalists have garnered over 1,000 likes and retweets. One article (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) about the testimony from CBC had over 1,000 comments, with many criticizing the MND and PM of covering up sexual misconduct.

For details on NDDN committee lines of questioning, see Appendix A. The high volume of media coverage is expected to continue in light of the Minister’s potential follow-up appearance next week.

Prominent Themes in Public Commentary

Since the allegations against former CDS Vance and CDS McDonald, reporting has veered away from the specific cases to criticism of military culture in general. Several editorials have accused the CAF and senior officials of failing to undertake recommendations from the 2015 Deschamps Report. Sentiment is negative on all editorials. Commentary repeatedly accuses the CAF of not actively addressing issues related to sexual misconduct, including its organizational culture.

Specifically, editorials and public commentary are interested in why the CAF has not yet supported an external, independent body that investigates sexual misconduct. One editorial (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) that gained high social media engagement, accused PM Trudeau of offering only “platitudes” to victims of sexual misconduct.

In addition, Minister Sajjan’s decision to cancel LGen Coates’ overseas posting due to an alleged extra-marital affair while Deputy Commander of NORAD garner media attention. The affair did not violate any CAF rules; however, the alleged relationship was in conflict with US military policies. Social media response was mixed, with some defending Coates and others likening it to a movement for accountability in the CAF.

CDS McDonald Steps Aside Amid Investigation

On February 25, Global News reported (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) that CDS Art McDonald volunteered to step aside as the CFNIS conducts investigations into an allegation of sexual misconduct against him. The details of the investigation have not been made public. However, CBC (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) has reported that the alleged victim and witnesses of the 2010 incident have been interviewed.

The day the allegations broke, “Art McDonald” was trending nationally on Twitter, and news of him stepping down has been reported by every major national outlet, including internationally by the New York Times. The breaking tweets from two Global News journalists received over 300 retweets, 400 likes, and 100 comments. Retweets on posts from mainstream journalists and outlets have in total gathered over 1000 retweets, over 1500 likes, and several hundred comments. On Facebook, high engagement continued, with a combined 300 hundred comments on reporting from CBC, Global, and CTV.

The social media reaction has been larger than the original news of allegations against former CDS Vance on February 2, with negative sentiment. Social media commentary focused on criticism of the Liberal government’s appointments, and argued that the CAF does not take sexual misconduct seriously. Op Honour has been a focal point, with commentary stating it is not credible, and that the CAF has a “toxic” culture.

An article (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) penned on February 25 quotes several academics and policy experts, who state that the CAF is facing an “institutional crisis.” This article is consistent with general social media commentary, which is discussing the Deschamps report, military culture, and likening these allegations to the #MeToo movement. The public’s interest has extended far beyond specific cases to the overarching culture of the DND/CAF and why there is no independent body handling sexual misconduct in the CAF.

Major Kellie Brennan Shares her Story

On February 22, Major Kellie Brennan, the woman who had a relationship with former CDS Vance, came forward with her story on Global News. Major Brennan detailed the pressures of being within Vance’s chain of command during the relationship, failing to be promoted during the relationship, and feeling discouraged about reporting a sexual assault against her. Maj Brennan gave a follow-up interview a week later, where she advocated for an overhaul of the military’s culture. She also expressed that many women had reached out to her sharing their stories, suggesting more allegations may come to light in the media.

Posts about the first interview on Twitter by Global News reporters received over 650 retweets, over 1500 likes, and over 100 comments. The sentiment was negative across media reporting and social media commentary on this topic. Public commentary was supportive of Major Brennan. Several former high-ranking officers, including LGen (ret’d) Mike Day, former commander of Joint Task Force 2, and VAdm (ret’d) Paul Maddison, former commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, publicly stated their support for Major Brennan. LGen (ret’d) Day urged other military leaders to come forward, stating that “silence is compliance.” The CDA Institute also issued a statement standing with victims of sexual misconduct in the CAF.

The comments sections on Facebook and Twitter included allegations from users that they had experienced sexual misconduct in the CAF or know someone who had.

Allegations Against Former CDS Vance

On February 2, former CDS Gen (ret’d) Vance was accused of sexual misconduct. The original breaking story came from Global News, and quickly spread through national and local outlets in print and broadcast. According to the Global News website, the original article was viewed over 20,000 times, and verified news outlets on Twitter and Facebook posted the coverage, generating thousands of comments, retweets, shares, and likes. CBC, Global, CTV, National Post, The Globe and Mail, Ottawa Citizen, and Toronto Star covered the story, as well as smaller local outlets. Global, CTV and CBC have featured regular broadcast coverage of developments relating to the allegations on political talk shows and primetime news hour segments.

High engagement continued with the announcement of an investigation into the allegations, and coverage exploring who knew of the allegations and when. Some outlets have quoted sources who stated that formal complaints were never filed by the women in question, limiting DND’s ability to act, but the procedural aspects of the allegations do not feature in public discourse. There has been chatter regarding claims that several senior staff and their wives were aware of inappropriate behaviour by former CDS Vance upon his appointment in 2015.

This fits into the most significant theme in public discourse, which is the public’s desire to understand how the allegations moved through DND/CAF systems, and whether senior leadership was complicit in any misconduct.

On February 11, it was also revealed that an investigation into Vance was undertaken before he was appointed by the Conservatives in 2015, but that it did not reveal any actionable offenses. However, the article suggests that this investigation may not have been sufficiently robust. Media coverage will likely follow any developments regarding this investigation closely.

Defence Committee Moves to Investigate

On February 10, 2021, the parliamentary defence committee unanimously agreed to investigate the allegations against former CDS Vance across three meetings starting before February 26. MPs have called upon Minister Sajjan to testify regarding his role in the handling of the allegations. Conservative MPs are seeking testimony from Jody Thomas, deputy minister of the Department of National Defence; Christyne Tremblay, Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council; and Zita Astravas, Sajjan’s former chief of staff in 2018. NDP MPs are also interested in testimony from Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, suggesting he may have also been complicit in misconduct given his role as MND during Vance’s vetting and appointment.

Overall, public commentary and analysis in the media remained focused on the role of the MND and PM’s office in the handling of the allegations. Coverage over this latest development was national and negative in sentiment. The engagement level has been moderate. Social media response has been limited, with under 50 retweets total on top articles. However, there are 300 comments under the CBC article, most of which are intensely critical of Minister Sajjan and PM Trudeau.

Criticism Grows Against Minister Sajjan

On February 7, an article from Global News (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) stated that the MND would not comment on whether he advised the Prime Minister and his cabinet about the allegations against Vance in 2018. Minister Sajjan was interviewed on The West Block the same day. His responses generated many comments on social media accusing him of participating in a cover-up. This interview and the accompanying article from Global generated comparable social media engagement as the initial allegations against former CDS Vance, but with a more negative commentary by the public.

In this vein, the interview generated hundreds of critical comments on Facebook and Twitter. Many comments framed the Minister’s interview as part of a broader trend of scandal and cover-ups in the Liberal Party. Commentary focused on demands for transparency and an answer to the question of what Minister Sajjan knew in 2018 and what he did with such knowledge.

On February 8, the Ottawa Citizen reported (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) that Minister Sajjan cut off all communication with the ombudsman, Gary Walbourne, after he raised the allegations, and further reported that this caused the ombudsman to resign. The article further stated that “defence sources” say the MND’s staff encouraged him to meet with the Ombudsman but he refused. This article has garnered significant negative response in the comments section.

On February 11, CBC reported (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) further on the role of the ombudsman. The article quoted the ombudsman’s lawyer, who explained that Walbourne could not reveal more information to the Minister without the permission of the complainant. Overall, the media seems unsure of where responsibility lies for the allegations only coming to light in 2021.

Articles on this topic from Global and CBC gathered several hundred comments on Facebook, which were divided over the significance of the allegations. There was a running opinion that the allegations and political discourse associated with it are distractions from more serious issues such as COVID-19 and the economy. This debate was not present on Twitter, where engagement was low and the tone was negative. CDS McDonald stepping aside amidst an investigation into misconduct has renewed public interest in reporting on sexual misconduct the CAF.

On February 19, Minister Sajjan testified to the House defence committee. Coverage of his testimony was negative, with a CBC article (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) stating that the government’s defence was based on “the slender distinction between formal and informal allegations.” Social media response was negative, but engagement was low.

On February 22, the defence committee agreed to call the Ombudsman, Gary Walbourne, to testify. The article suggests that this decision was prompted by Minister Sajjan’s testimony. One MP stated that “This could have been precluded by the minister being more forthcoming." Social media response was negative, with 84 comments on the CBC article, largely criticizing the Liberal government of a “cover up”.

Commentary on Op Honour

A particularly negative trend in public commentary is the delegitimizing of Op Honour given that Gen (ret’d) Vance was a public face for the operation, and previously received positive coverage on his public efforts to eradicate sexual misconduct within the CAF. Consequently, the new allegations are negatively impacting the reputation of the operation, with comments on social media questioning the effectiveness of the military’s efforts to end sexual misconduct in its ranks. The MND’s interview on The West Block increased chatter on this theme.

Public criticism of the CAF’s efforts to eradicate sexual misconduct has only intensified as CDS McDonald stepped aside. Coverage criticizing Op Honour has grown as editorials, as well as the testimony of Gary Walbourne, question to what extent Op Honour has been effective.

Sentiment

February 2021

  • The overall sentiment of media coverage has been negative for all of February and March, as the media closely follows the NDDN committee’s investigation.

Sentiment October 2020-January 2021

  • The overall sentiment of media coverage was mixed between neutral and negative for the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021.
  • There was one article that featured criticism by the head of a support group for survivors of military sexual trauma regarding the Path to Dignity and Respect strategy. The criticism stated that the strategy lacked a mechanism to assist victims in reintegrating into the CAF after coming forward with complaints of sexual misconduct. (Culture becomes latest front in military's fight against sexual misconduct (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website). October 28- Canadian Press).
  • Coverage before the release of the Path to Dignity and Respect strategy was largely negative, marked by reports of harassment at RMC and victims feeling disregarded by DND/CAF

Media Analysis in 2020

Release of the Path to Dignity and Respect Strategy

Coverage of the release of the Path to Dignity and Respect strategy occurred almost exclusively on October 28, 2020, with some repeat coverage on October 29, and November 2 and 3, 2020. The coverage was national and was carried by large media organizations including the Canadian Press, CBC and Global News. While the coverage of the strategy release was largely neutral and factual in nature, there was positive feedback to the Path strategy explicitly identifying culture as an underlying cause of sexual misconduct.

Survey on Sexual Misconduct at RMC

In early October, there was significant national coverage regarding a report that revealed 68% of RMC students have witnessed or experienced inappropriate sexual behaviour. This coverage was negative in nature and led to hundreds of comments on CBC and CTV articles and other coverage, but there was a limited response on Twitter. The comments were a mix of negative and argumentative, with many individuals confirming the information based on personal experience, and others attempting to undermine the findings.

Other Coverage

Negative coverage continued as a report was published stating that many victims of sexual misconduct in the CAF are “being dismissed by the chain of command.” Social media response was limited, but negative.

There was national coverage regarding the independence of the military justice system in relation to stayed charges of sexual misconduct. The articles and commentary blamed a new order from former CDS Vance for facilitating interference from military executives. Several hundred comments followed, with many stating that sexual misconduct should be tried in civilian courts.

While the Path to Dignity and Respect strategy generated neutral and somewhat positive coverage, overall, 2020 coverage was negative, marked by negative reports and mounting accusations in the comment sections of online news coverage of the failure to address sexual misconduct in the CAF.

Top Sources

English: Global, CTV, Canadian Press, CBC

French: La Presse Canadienne, ICI Radio-Canada

Top Stories

(The links below take you away from the Government of Canada Website)

March 2021

February 2021

January 2021

December 2020

Army officer pleads guilty to child porn charge, keeps working (Chronicle Herald) (Dec 22)

November 2020

October 2020

September 2020

Canadian Forces chaplain convicted in sex assault case to be kicked out of military (Oct 28)

Transcripts

March 2021

2021.03.03

February 2021

2021.02.07

Global News – The West Block: Defence Minister Discusses Allegations Against General Vance

2021.02.07

Global TV – Global National: Defence Minister speaks to Vance allegations

2021.02.05

CBC NN – RDI TV: Prime Minister Trudeau’s Press Conference – Q&A on former CDS Vance

2021.02.05

Global TV – Global National: Trudeau addresses Vance allegations

2021.02.04

CBC NC – The National: Canada’s former top military commander is now under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior with female subordinates

2021.02.04

Global News – Global National: Vance allegations investigated

2021.02.03

Radio Canada – SRC Radiojournal: Le général Jonathan Vance visé par des allégations d’inconduite sexuelle

2021.02.02

Global TV – Global National: Former Chief of the Defence Staff accused of sexual misconduct

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Appendix A

NDDN Committee: Theme of Questioning (March 3, 2020)

The lines of questioning from each political party were focused on different elements. This analysis is intended only as an interpretive gauge of political focus at the committee hearing.

Liberal Party

The line of questioning from the Liberal Party was hostile towards Gary Walbourne, repeatedly asking questions about the required reporting procedure in the face of complaints. Liberal MPs questioned why Walbourne came to the MND with the allegation.

Conservative Party

The Conservative line of questioning was supportive of Walbourne, and was directed toward the actions of the MND and PCO. Conservative MPs focused intensely on the MND, asking questions about his “mood” when Walbourne brought the allegation to him. The Conservatives were focused mostly on the politics of the testimony as opposed to procedure and systemic issues. One MP also asked whether Walbourne knew if Minister Sajjan and former CDS Vance had a personal relationship.

NDP

The NDP was supportive of Walbourne, repeatedly thanking him and asking only for clarifications and questions about his mental health. Questions focused on the retaliation Walbourne said he experienced, as well as questions about Walbourne’s impressions of Op Honour and the commitment of senior leadership in the CAF and DND to addressing sexual misconduct.

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