Sajjan faces backlash for refusing to track felony claim against Gen. Jonathan Vance

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Ottawa/Canadian-Media: ​Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan's alleged refusal to probe evidence of possible misconduct of sexually assaulting women in the military by the former chief of the defense staff, Gen. Jonathan Vance, media reports said.

Harjit Sajjan. Image credit: Twitter handle

Women who experienced sexual assault in the military expressed their disappointment and shock by  Sajjan's refusal to take action

The retired master corporal Stéphanie Raymond, who was allegedly raped by a superior and then being turned out of the army in 2013 for reporting it, is demanding Sajjan's resignation. 

Sajjan needs to provide a clear, coherent explanation for his actions, said Marie-Claude Gagnon, a former naval reservist and founder of the group 'It's Just 700', which fronted the class action lawsuit against the federal government over sexual misconduct in the military.

If Sajjan fails to provide a clear explanation, added Gagnon he should either retire or be fired.

Sajjan had allegedly received an informal complaint of sexual misconduct involviog Gen. Jonathan Vance in March 2018 meeting and refused to look at the evidence brought to his knowledge, said  former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne in his testimony Wednesday before the House of Commons defense committee.

Walbourne insisted that Sajjan had a duty to be informed to ensure the safety of others.

Sajjan did not use his power to order a board of inquiry investigation, nor did he appoint a military judge to head an investigation, which under  Under Section 45 of the National Defence Act, and the Queen's Regulations and Orders, which govern military conduct permitted him.

The top general should have been afforded an opportunity three years ago to defend himself, Retired colonel Michel Drapeau said.