Canada’s military relieved an air task force commander of his post in Kuwait on Dec. 7 amid an investigation into claims he made inappropriate comments, CBC News has learned.
The Department of National Defence confirms that Lt.-Col. Philip Marcus was sent back to Canada on Dec. 7, “when concerns over some inappropriate comments that demonstrated a concerning misalignment with our institution’s efforts to evolve our culture were raised” to leadership.
“These allegations resulted in a loss in confidence in the member’s ability to effectively lead and conduct the duties associated with his appointment as a commanding officer, and he was immediately relieved,” DND spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier said in a statement.
DND described the alleged comments as inappropriate. Sources who spoke to CBC News but who were not authorized to speak publicly said Marcus was heard making comments about lower-ranking women in the Canadian Armed Forces.
The allegations against Marcus were reported while he was the commanding officer of the air task force for Operation Impact in the Middle East. He started that role in November, according to a post on a military Twitter account.
The training mission is aimed at building military capabilities in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon to help a global coalition defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
