Admiral Art McDonald Steps Aside as Defence Chief Amid Investigation

Admiral Art McDonald addresses the audience at the Royal Canadian Navy Change of Command ceremony in Halifax on June 12, 2019. Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press

OTTAWA—Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Admiral Art McDonald has voluntarily stepped down as chief of the defence staff as he is investigated on unspecific allegations.

Sajjan said in a release late Wednesday that the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is doing the investigation.