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Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
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20 Apr, 4 tweets, 1 min read
I asked PM Trudeau and DPM Trudeau about Liberal MPs shutting down the committee that was looking into military sexual misconduct and about the message that sends... as well as why 10+ weeks into this story we don't have any info on the external probe or watchdog (1/3) #cdnpoli
The federal budget set aside $ to deal with military sexual misconduct including setting up an independent watchdog (no info on if it reports to Parliament), providing independent legal advice to victims and making the JAG system to "better respond to allegations of misconduct"
PM and DPM gave no specifics on what the probe will involve, when it might be announced, or a timeline for action. Said committee acted independently. Reiterated commitment to action and need for change but no details on what that looks like or when.
aaand obviously that is a typo and should say DPM FREELAND. More coffee needed.

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More from @MercedesGlobal

Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
8 Apr
Global News did not ask DND for permission for women to speak. We asked the women.
Unclear to me how CFNIS & JAG would have been consulted abt 3 cases where there was *no* investigation prior to our reporting, they learned about allegations from our show
cbc.ca/news/politics/…
Several women we spoke to also made it clear they did not trust CFNIS and JAG in handling sexual misconduct cases. There is an irony that they should be the deciding authority on whether women get to come forward...
Also worth discussing - CFNIS and the JAG's record on handling sexual misconduct and sexual assault. The concern about plea bargains, dropped charged etc led to the administrative changes Vance introduced to kick people out.
Read 4 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
6 Apr
Former Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick admits that PCO lost sight of the questions about allegations against Vance. They were looking at massive turn over at the upper ranks of the military and Vance's "ambition" to become top NATO General.
Wernick says PCO never closed file looking into allegations against Vance but reached "an impasse" determining it would be inappropriate to confront Vance, there were not witnesses (although they hadn't interviewed anybody to determine this) and victim didn't want to come forward
Wernick says in hindsight more could have been done and he regrets that this issue fell off the radar. He says that Minister Sajjan was in fact involved in discussions about Vance's term, that Wernick and Sajjan had those conversations.
Read 5 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
6 Apr
Today Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's former Chief of Staff Zita Astravas had been called to testify at the defence committee loking into sexual misconduct in the CAF. Instead of Astravas, Minister Sajjan is appearing. #cdnpoli #CAF
Astravas was the staffer who contacted PCO about the allegations against Vance in 2018.

Opposition MPs say that Liberals are "ignoring the house" and "contemptuous" for substituting the Minister for the former Chief of Staff.
NDP MP @r_garrison says he looks forward to speaking about the concept of ministerial responsibility with Minister Sajjan since he is pointing to that to justify staff not appearing, there are questions on ministerial responsibility after Sajjan refused to accept evidence
Read 5 tweets
Mercedes Stephenson Profile picture
22 Mar
#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
Read 4 tweets
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

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