Military Gets New Commander in Virtual, Low Key Ceremony Due to COVID 19

Art McDonald, then the new head of the navy, addressed the audience at the Royal Canadian Navy change of command ceremony in Halifax on June 12, 2019. The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan

OTTAWA—Admiral Art McDonald is taking over as commander of Canada’s military in a low-key ceremony devoid of the normal pomp and circumstance due to COVID-19.

As the new chief of the defence staff McDonald succeeds Gen. Jonathan Vance, who kicked off the change-of-command ceremony by using his final speech in uniform to bid an emotional farewell to the troops.