"The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has been clear that any form of misconduct within its ranks is unacceptable. It harms our people, jeopardizes our operational effectiveness, and is inconsistent with our values and ethics. Accordingly, the RCN expects all of its members to exercise institutionally appropriate judgment at all times, especially when in senior leadership or command roles.
Today, in line with this expectation, I have relieved Chief Petty Officer 1st Class (CPO 1) Timothy Blonde of his appointment as Formation Chief Petty Officer of Maritime Forces Pacific. I no longer have confidence in CPO 1 Blonde's ability to carry out his leadership duties, maintain discipline, and ensure the highest standards of ethics and values of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
The decision to relieve CPO 1 Blonde of his appointment was made after an investigation found evidence that he made inappropriate comments about a junior sailor's appearance during a social event at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on May 6, 2022. While the investigation did not reveal evidence to support the laying of charges under either the Code of Service Discipline or the Criminal Code of Canada, the evidence clearly showed that his conduct was unacceptable, and incompatible with his duties and responsibilities as Formation Chief Petty Officer; eroding the credibility necessary to execute the duties associated with this appointment.
The Formation Chief Petty Officer is the most senior non-commissioned member appointment within Maritime Forces Pacific, whose primary role is to represent the interests and perspectives of non-commissioned members. Working alongside a network of other Chief Petty Officers, the Formation Chief Petty Officer is required to maintain discipline and promote CAF ethics and values at all times. A Formation Chief Petty Officer cannot effectively carry out their duties without the trust of both leadership and the sailors of the Formation.
As charges were not warranted, CPO 1 Blonde will continue to serve in the RCN. However, he will not occupy a position of senior leadership or influence where fostering trust with junior members is required.
RCN sailors are amongst the very best in the world and the vast majority of them conduct themselves in a responsible and highly professional manner. The RCN leadership owes it to these professionals to enforce our policies, ethics, and values at all levels, and take swift action when institutional leaders violate the trust placed in them by Canadians, and by sailors of all ranks."
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee,
Commander Royal Canadian Navy
