Art McDonald (admiral)

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Art McDonald
Arthur G. McDonald in 2020 (cropped).jpg
McDonald in February 2020
Born1967 (age 53–54)
New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada
AllegianceCanada
Service/branchRoyal Canadian Navy
RankAdmiral
Commands heldChief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Naval Staff
Maritime Forces Pacific
HMCS Halifax
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsCommander of the Order of Military Merit
Meritorious Service Medal[1]
Canadian Forces' Decoration
Alma materRoyal Military College of Canada (BSc, MDS)

Admiral Arthur Gerard McDonald, CMM, MSM, CD (born 1967)[2] is a Royal Canadian Navy admiral who served as Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces from January 14, 2021 until February 24, 2021 when he voluntarily stepped aside pending an investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.[3][4][5]

McDonald previously served as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and Chief of the Naval Staff. He is Canada's first full admiral since Admiral John Anderson held the rank in 1993.

Education[]

McDonald graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in military and strategic studies. He also holds a master's of defence studies degree from the same institution.[6] McDonald is also a graduate of the 2003 Canadian Forces College (CFC) Command and Staff Course, the 2012 CFC National Security Studies Programme, and the 2014 U.S. General and Flag Officer Capstone Program at National Defense University in Washington D.C. A 2016 alumnus of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies, he is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at Harvard University (2017).[7]

Career[]

In 2010, McDonald served as the Maritime Component Commander of Canadian Joint Task Force Haiti. He received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his coordination of the disaster relief activities of HMCS Halifax and HMCS Athabaskan.[8] He served as commanding officer of HMCS Halifax from 2007 to 2009 before taking command of Fifth Maritime Operations Group in December 2009.[9]

McDonald was appointed Director General of Maritime Forces Development in February 2014,[10] Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific in January 2016[11] and Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy in June 2019.[12]

On December 23, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that McDonald would succeed General Jonathan Vance as Chief of the Defence Staff, with the change of command taking place on January 14, 2021.[13]

He received the Meritorious Service Medal on 30 June 2010,[14] was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012[15] and was appointed a Commander of the Order of Military Merit (CMM) on 4 October 2018.[16]

Misconduct allegations[]

On February 24, 2021, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced that McDonald had temporarily and voluntarily stepped aside as Chief of the Defence Staff amid investigations on allegations of misconduct.[17] Pending the results of the investigation, General Wayne Eyre served as Acting Chief of Defence Staff.[17] During this time, McDonald remained a serving officer with the Canadian Armed Forces and retained his rank of full admiral. On November 25, 2021, McDonald was formally relieved of his command as Chief of Defence Staff, with Eyre being permanently appointed to the position.[18]

References[]

  1. ^ "Governor General Announces the Awarding of Military Decorations". The Governor General of Canada. October 28, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  2. ^ "Commander of the RCN". Royal Canadian Navy. Government of Canada. June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  3. ^ "National Chief of Defence Staff steps aside amid investigation". CityNews. The Canadian Press. February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  4. ^ Jackson, Hannah (February 24, 2021). "Canada's chief of defence staff to step aside amid CFNIS investigation: defence minister". Global News. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Pugliese, David (February 25, 2021). "Admiral Art McDonald steps aside as Defence Chief as military police launch investigation". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  6. ^ "Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy – Défi vélo de la Marine". navybikeride.ca. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  7. ^ "Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy – Défi vélo de la Marine". navybikeride.ca.
  8. ^ "Honours & Recognitions for the Men and Women of the Canadian Forces 2010" (PDF). Directorate of Honours and Recognition. March 31, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  9. ^ Beaton, Virginia (July 2010). "Fleet welcomes new commander" (PDF). Trident News. 44 (15): 5.
  10. ^ "The Chief of the Defence Staff announces senior promotions, appointments, and retirements in the Canadian Armed Forces". Canadian Forces. February 7, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  11. ^ Connolly, Amanda (January 19, 2016). "Government announces rash of military leadership changes". iPolitics. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "Senior navy appointments released" (PDF). Lookout. 64 (7): 9. February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  13. ^ Brewster, Murray; Cochrane, David (December 23, 2020). "Vice-Admiral Art McDonald named new chief of the defence staff". CBC News. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "Meritorious Service Decorations List". The Governor General of Canada.
  15. ^ "The Diamond Jubilee Medal List". The Governor General of Canada.
  16. ^ "Order of Military Merit List". The Governor General of Canada.
  17. ^ a b "Admiral Art McDonald steps aside as defence chief amid investigation". Dawson Creek Mirror. The Canadian Press. February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  18. ^ "Prime Minister announces the appointment of the Chief of the Defence Staff". Prime Minister of Canada. November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the Defence Staff
2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander Maritime Forces Pacific
2016–2018 		Succeeded by
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