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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.