The officer commanding one of the Canadian Army’s leading regular force battalions and the unit’s top non-commissioned officer have been removed from their position.
Lt.-Col. Jason Hudson and Chief Warrant Officer Kim Doerr, of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, were apparently forced to step aside over the weekend, several military sources said Tuesday.
The Department of National Defence, in a written statement, confirmed to CBC News that action had taken place, but refused to explain why.
“An investigation is currently underway under the direction of leadership within [the] 3rd Canadian Division. As this process remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” said Andrée-Anne Poulin, a Defence Department spokesperson.
“Canadian Armed Forces members, particularly those in positions of authority, are expected to always demonstrate sound judgment and exemplary conduct to preserve public confidence and maintain the trust of those they lead.”
Although the Defence Department describes the removal orders as “temporary,” such action is considered drastic by military standards and often has long-ranging implications on the careers of those involved.
Replacements have been appointed in the interim.
Several current and former military sources reached out to CBC News to say the army is investigating an incident involving alcohol that occurred very recently. CBC News is not identifying the confidential sources because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The department would not confirm that aspect, nor specify what type of investigation was being carried out.
Military commanders have several options in front of them, including a unit-level disciplinary investigation, an investigation by a higher headquarters or a military police probe.
Hudson was a familiar public face last summer as commander of Operation LENTUS 25-05 land task force, fighting wildfires in northern Saskatchewan. He helped direct the deployment of more than 300 troops as they assisted provincial firefighters in places like Beauval, La Loche and Green Lake.
Over the last year, there have been several high-profile officers who’ve lost their army posts.
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In April, Col. James Smith, the commander of Canada’s biggest overseas deployment, Task Force Latvia, was temporarily removed from his post and reassigned to other duties in Canada after being charged under the National Defence Act with one count of prejudice to good order and discipline regarding alleged irregularities in compensation and benefits.
Col. Fraser Auld, the commandant of the Canadian Army Command and Staff College in Kingston, Ont., was removed from his position earlier in this year due to a “loss of trust in his ability to command” following an undisclosed personnel matter.
And last summer, Col. James McKay, the commander of the 33 Canadian Brigade Group (which oversees military units throughout eastern Ontario) resigned from his post and left the military.
His resignation was triggered by a social media scandal involving a private Facebook group called the “Blue Hackle Mafia.”
Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy was caught up in the same scandal and temporarily removed as the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a reserve unit.
