The Department of National Defence declined to divulge the incidents or conduct that led to the removal, but a statement it released to The Globe and Mail suggests the matter under review has to do with conduct.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
The senior leadership of an infantry battalion that’s part of a storied Canadian Army regiment has been removed from command pending an investigation, the Department of National Defence said.
Spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin said Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Hudson and Chief Warrant Officer Kim Doerr have been “temporarily removed from command positions” at 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, which is based in Edmonton.
National Defence declined to divulge the incidents or conduct that led to this removal, but a statement it issued to The Globe and Mail suggests the matter under review has to do with conduct.
“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,” Ms. Poulin said.
In the interim, Major Caleb Kimball and Master Warrant Officer Timothy Wiebe have been appointed as the infantry battalion’s command team, she said.
National Defence spokesperson Daniel Blouin said to his knowledge, there is no criminal investigation under way. He said he’s not aware of any military police component to the review.
The probe will be led by leadership within 3rd Canadian Division, the department said. It’s one of four operational commands of the Canadian Army, responsible for administration and operations in Western Canada from the Pacific Ocean to Thunder Bay, Ont. It is headquartered at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.
Specifically, Mr. Blouin said the investigation is being led by the 3rd Canadian Division Support Group. It is responsible for infrastructure, ranges and training areas, along with personnel and technical services.
He declined repeated requests to explain what led to this temporary removal from command. “As this process remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” Mr. Blouin said. “It’s about respect for people’s rights within that process.”
Lt.-Col. Hudson assumed command of the infantry battalion in June, 2024.
The 3rd Battalion deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in early 2002 was the first conventional Canadian combat force sent overseas on a combat-specific operation since the Korean War, according to the PPCLI Regimental Museum’s website.
Founded in 1914 – the last privately raised regiment in Canadian history – the PPCLI fought in the First World War, the Second World War and Korea, where the 2nd Battalion’s stand at Kapyong in 1951 earned a U.S. Presidential Unit Citation shared with Australian and American forces.