As the military reels from sexual misconduct allegations within its top ranks, retired Lt.-Gen. Christine Whitecross says she initially responded to the reports with shock, anger — and a sense of hope. Whitecross's comments come as the House of Commons defence committee probes sexual misconduct allegations against former chief of defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance and his successor, Admiral Art McDonald, who voluntarily left the role last month. Whitecross, left, and Marie Deschamps, former Supreme Court justice, attend a committee on the external review into sexual misconduct and sexual harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces, in Ottawa in 2015. It's time, she said, to review the mandate of the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC), which reports to the deputy minister of the federal defence department and supports Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members affected by sexual misconduct. Whitecross said it took her more than 15 years into her military career to begin speaking up for herself and others.

Source: CBC News March 14, 2021 15:00 UTC