Canadian military gets first female vice-chief of defence staff

OTTAWA -- Lt.-Gen. Frances Allen has become the first woman appointed as the military's second-in-command.
Allen's appointment as vice chief of defence staff comes as the military undergoes a fresh round of soul searching following explosive misconduct allegations against top officials.
Former chief of the defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance and his successor Admiral Art McDonald, who temporarily stepped aside just six weeks into the job, face accusations of inappropriate behaviour.
Allen most recently served as Canada's military representative to NATO headquarters in Brussels and is the second woman to have attained the rank of lieutenant-general in the Armed Forces.
She was seen as a possible contender to take over from Vance as Canada's first female defence chief, before McDonald was selected for the job.
Allen will take over as vice-chief from Lt.-Gen. Mike Rouleau, who has been given a newly-created role of strategic adviser to the current acting chief of defence staff, Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre.
The Canadian Press
Related
- Defence chief says CAF will be ready after ordering COVID-19 vaccine prep last week
- Military spending needed more now than ever, top defence official says
- Defence leaders apologize for slow response to racism as Forces investigates meme
- Military looking to boost ability to respond to more natural disasters: Vance
- Canadian military preparing to get involved in COVID-19 pandemic
Trending
- House of the week: Spectacular $4.3 mil Lorne Park home with wine cellar
- Still no answer from feds as 14 flights land at Mississauga's Pearson Airport with COVID-19
- PHOTOS: Over 100 townhouses planned for brand new neighbourhood in Mississauga
- Give AstraZeneca vaccine to residents 18+ in hotspot areas like Mississauga and Brampton: Ontario Liberal leader
- CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Fight breaks out at gas station in Brampton
Your Comments