A senior Canadian Public Servant says Minister for Defence, Harjit Sajjan is wrong in his denial of any role in awarding controversial former Chief of Defence Staff, Jonathan Vance a pay raise.
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Janine Sherman (pictured) was appearing before the Parliamentary Defence Committee inquiring into whether Mr Sajjan was aware of sexual misconduct allegations against Mr Vance when the pay award was made.
Citing privacy rules, she declined to answer many questions about the allegations and the Government’s response, prompting a committee member to compare her responses to a “culture of denial and deflection” within the Public Service.
However, she told the committee that Mr Sajjan was involved in Mr Vance’s annual performance review, which underpinned the former top soldier’s 2018 pay raise.
“The Minister is consulted in the annual performance management program in respect of [Governor in Council] appointees within his portfolio,” Ms Sherman said.
“Those annual reviews are the basis for salary adjustments,” she said.
At an earlier meeting of the committee, Mr. Sajjan said: “I’m not involved in any of the performance pay.”
Committee member, Bob Benzen asked: “Would there be a review done before he was given a raise?”
Mr Sajjan replied: “I would not know because I’m not part of that process.”
Mr Vance is facing accusations of inappropriate behaviour with two female subordinates while he was head of the Canadian Armed Forces.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
Former Defence Ombudsman, Gary Walbourne told the committee on 3 March that he had informed Mr Sajjan about an informal complaint against Mr Vance, but the Minister refused to look at the evidence.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has confirmed that his office was aware in 2018 that Mr Walbourne told Mr Sajjan about a complaint involving Mr Vance.
However, the Prime Minister has not answered questions on whether he was briefed directly on the matter.
Ottawa, 28 March 2021
