Canadian army officers removed from command

by Silveray Sun 24 Feb 2019, 5:49 pm

Two more Canadian army officers removed from command — five in the last year relinquished command

Postmedia reported on the other three removals of commanding officers late last year after being tipped off by soldiers concerned the incidents were being swept under the rug

David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: February 24, 2019

Canadian army officers removed from command Army_reserveedited

Two more senior army officers in Ontario have been removed from their jobs, bringing the total of those forced to relinquish command of their units to five in the past year.

Many of the reasons for the removals — in Ottawa, Windsor and the Toronto area — are shrouded in secrecy because the army says the details can’t be released because of the federal privacy act.

In one of the latest incidents, a commanding officer of a reserve unit in Windsor was removed permanently from his job, military sources told Postmedia.

Brig.-Gen. Joe Paul, the army’s commander in Ontario, confirmed in an interview that he removed the lieutenant-colonel on Jan. 16, noting that he lost confidence in the officer’s ability to lead. Paul said he can’t provide any details beyond that.

“When I’m dealing with commanding officers I do expect the highest standard,” said Paul, who commands the 4thCanadian Division, which is responsible for army operations in Ontario. “As soon as something is brought up to my attention I do look into it. I do ensure that the right measures are being put in place.”

Another commander, Lt.-Col. David Buchanan, a regular force member who was commanding officer of 30th Field Artillery Regiment in Ottawa, a reserve unit, was removed earlier this month. Buchanan’s name became public after military police laid two charges related to incidents of a sexual nature that allegedly occurred in Cyprus in 2012. He is charged with one count of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline and one count of drunkenness.’

Paul said the lieutenant-colonel was temporarily removed from command but he can’t get into further details because as a general officer he might be required to hear any appeals in the outcome of the case.

The allegations against Buchanan have not been proven in court.

Postmedia reported on the other three removals of commanding officers late last year after being tipped off by soldiers concerned the incidents were being swept under the rug. Sources said that in one of the cases, the commanding officer was doing squats with a civilian female on his shoulders after a party at a military installation. The officer’s soldiers took photographs of the event as it was happening.

A complaint was filed in 2018 and Paul confirmed the incident to Postmedia. The commanding officer offered his resignation and it was accepted.

In another case, Paul has reinstated a commanding officer after that individual was found not guilty in a civilian court. He declined to provide details about that case.

Another officer who was removed from his post will not be reinstated. Paul declined to provide details on that case as well.

Army officers have pointed out they can’t remember a time when so many commanding officers have been removed in such a short period.

But Paul says he doesn’t believe there is a greater issue going on with the overall leadership of the reserve units. “I wouldn’t say there is an issue,” he said. “What I would offer is that it’s a bit cyclical. Sometimes people do make mistakes.”

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The Ontario army reserve units have also been in the headlines for other issues. Postmedia reported in October that a white reservist in a Toronto-area unit called black soldiers “n—ers” on several occasions. The reservist who targeted the black soldiers with racial abuse is being mentored to ensure his behaviour improves. Paul said the reservist felt stressed out during his military training and had responded inappropriately.

The fact the 17-year-old reservist’s father is a senior officer in the army reserve doesn’t have anything to do with the decision not to formally punish the soldier, according to Paul.

Soldiers came to Postmedia with their concerns that such racism incidents were not only being tolerated but covered up by the army leadership.

Paul, who assumed command of the division in late June 2018, said he didn’t know about the racism incidents until after Postmedia published its original report. When that appeared, he asked his staff to examine whether the proper procedures were followed.

Paul’s command comprises the regular and reserve force army units in Ontario. The division has more than 13,000 personnel and staff, including around 6,000 reservists.

The Forces is trying to entice more recruits to join the reserves as the government wants to boost the size of that force. Reservists are considered part-time soldiers but form an important part of the military, being used on domestic and overseas missions.

dpugliese@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/davidpugliese

https://www.thewhig.com/news/two-more-canadian-army-officers-removed-from-command-five-in-the-last-year-relinquished-command/wcm/0d89f6c3-061e-43e6-99f5-557b58a8bcdf