By Canadian Press

PM defends aide, didn’t know Vance allegations were ‘Me Too complaint’

Apr 27, 2021 | 12:22 PM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his top aide, saying nobody in his office knew an allegation against Canada’s top military officer three years ago was a “Me Too complaint.”

The prime minister made the comments today in response to fresh questions about what he and his chief of staff, Katie Telford, knew about the allegation against general Jonathan Vance in March 2018.

That is when then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne first flagged the allegation of sexual misconduct to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, touching off a flurry of activity at the top levels of government, but no formal investigation.

Trudeau has previously denied personal knowledge about the allegations until Global News reported on them on Feb. 2.

Former Trudeau adviser Elder Marques suggested to a parliamentary committee last week that Telford was aware of an allegation against Vance, but could not recall whether the sexual nature of the complaint was known.

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Former Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick also testified that he was uncertain whether the nature of the complaint was conveyed to him at the time.

However, both he and Marques have said they presumed it could have been sexual in nature.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Apr. 27, 2021.

The Canadian Press