Canadian navy relieves Maritime Forces Pacific leader of duties over 'inappropriate comments'
The Royal Canadian Navy has relieved a senior leader of its Pacific forces of his duties after an investigation found he made "inappropriate comments" about another sailor's appearance.
In a statement Monday, navy commander Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee said he had relieved Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Tim Blonde of his appointment as Formation Chief Petty Officer of Maritime Forces Pacific, effective immediately.
"I no longer have confidence in CPO 1 Blonde’s ability to carry out his leadership duties, maintain discipline, and ensure the highest standards of ethics and values of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Armed Forces," Topshee said.
"The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has been clear that any form of misconduct within its ranks is unacceptable. It harms our people, jeopardizes our operational effectiveness, and is inconsistent with our values and ethics."
The navy commander said an investigation found that Blonde made inappropriate comments about a junior sailor's appearance during a social event at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on May 6.
The investigation did not reveal evidence to support charges under either military or civilian law, according to Topshee.
However, "the evidence clearly showed that his conduct was unacceptable, and incompatible with his duties and responsibilities as Formation Chief Petty Officer; eroding the credibility necessary to execute the duties associated with this appointment," he added.
The rank of formation chief petty officer is the most senior non-commissioned appointment within Maritime Forces Pacific, whose job it is to represent the interests of non-commissioned members, according to the navy.
Blonde will continue to serve in the navy, but will no longer have a senior leadership role, according to the statement.
SECOND DISMISSAL IN AS MANY WEEKS
Blonde was appointed to the position in May 2019 after serving in a similar capacity with Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax.
He is the second high-profile member of Maritime Forces Pacific to be dismissed from his post in as many weeks.
Lt.-Cmdr. David Dallin was relieved of his command of HMCS Regina on June 30 following an incident aboard another vessel during a naval training exercise.
Details of the incident have not been released, but Canadian Pacific Fleet commander David Mazur said in a statement that it involved "inappropriate conduct."
Following the dismissal, Cmdr. Meghan Coates assumed command of the Esquimalt-based warship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.