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Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
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22 Mar, 4 tweets, 1 min read
#Breaking LGen Chris Coates is suddenly and unexpectedly retiring from the military. Coates' posting to NATO was pulled after @davidpugliese reported he had an affair with an American while he was NORAD Deputy Commander.
In a letter Coates says his retirement was for his own personal reasons and says it was his decision to retire. It also says that he believes his retirement is in the best interests for the Canadian Armed Forces.
"Last week I asked the CDS for my release. I want to emphasize that this is my decision. After much reflection, I made this decision for my own personal reasons, including what I believe would be in the best interests of the Canadian Armed Forces." LGen Coates
Coates' retirement is effective immediately. As of today MGen Seymour will act as Commander of CJOC until the change of command can happen this summer when Coates was supposed to hand over.

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More from @MercedesGlobal

Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
22 Mar
Former PM Harper's Chief of Staff Ray Novak is testifying about what the Conservative govt was aware of when they appointed General Vance Chief of the Defence Staff.
Novak says Harper asked Vance about the info briefed to PMO by PCO on questions around Vance's relationship with a subordinate officer who Novak says PMO was told was "not in his chain of command." Novak says Harper asked Vance if there was anything else he should know.
Novak does not remember Vance saying anything in response beyond the officer in question was now his fiancée.
Read 6 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
16 Mar
In light of recent events I've been thinking a lot about how life is different for women owing to the quiet but ever present concern for our physical safety. I've decided to tweet this thread because because I believe there is still a serious lack of awareness. Here we go.
I do not live in fear, but I am always aware. I'm aware of who is around me. Who is behind me. Where the dark corners are that I can't see into. Whether those footsteps behind me are picking up. I hate wearing a hood in the winter because I can't see who is close.
Like all of my female friends, I have walked with my keys between my fingers on the way to my car or home, hidden in my pocket in the winter. I get uncomfortable with earbuds in when it's dark and I'm out walking because I want to know when someone is close.
Read 13 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
3 Mar
Former Military Ombudsman Gary Walbourne says he tried to present Defence Minister @HarjitSajjan with evidence of he allegations being made against the CDS and Min Sajjan refused to accept the evidence and pushed back from the table #cdnpoli
Liberal strategy here so far by @Yvan_Baker seems to be questioning whether the Ombudsman's office did a through investigation of the complaint. Libs framing this as Ombudsman not doing his job, not addressing Minister allegedly refusing to accept evidence.
Libs ask why Ombudsman did not go to the police 'isn't that the normal flow of events?'
Ombudsman: Not at all, sexual harassment & sexual assault are different things...
The Libs are implying the Ombudsman should have called the police, does that mean the Minister should have?
Read 4 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
3 Mar
I attended a press conference with the Chinese Embassy today. I asked if Michael Kovrig or Michael Spavor's families will be able to visit as Meng Wanzhou's family came to Canada to see her. The Ambassador did not answer that question. What he said below:
"As I just mentioned, the two Canadian citizens detained and prosecuted in China because they have been involved in suspected crimes endangering national security..." Ambassador Cong Peiwu
"...The relevant Chinese judicial organs are handling that case according to law and their local rights are ensured and guaranteed, so that’s my answer. All their local rights are ensured and guaranteed."
Read 8 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
24 Feb
The Conference of Defence Associations @CDAInstitute has put out a pretty robust press release on @globalnews reporting about sexual misconduct allegations against former CDS Gen Jonathan Vance and concerns about wider sexual misconduct among senior ranks in the CAF.
To put this in context, the CDA/CDAI are seen as the defence establishment in Ottawa. So what they say carries significant weight. It is an organization with a lot of retired generals in it. They are not defending anyone but victims in the statement.
The statement reads:
A few quotes from the statement: it is with " ... deep concern that we have read serious allegations of sexual misconduct by named and unnamed members of the CAF in positions of authority."
Read 8 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
28 Jan
The Economist (the magazine) Intelligence Unit has released a report that estimates Canada will not see "widespread" vaccination until mid 2022. That is well behind Europe and the US. Puts us on the same timeline as Brazil. Fed govt maintains vaccination will be by Sept 2021.
Here is the report if you wish to see it for yourself eiu.com/n/85-poor-coun…
We asked The Economist how they came up with that number. The author of the report says they are confident Canada will not see 60-70% of the population vaccinated until "early 2022" based on "recent delays in production of shots" as well as Cda's vast territory.
Read 7 tweets

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