Montreal

Military police investigate alleged sexual assault at Saint-Jean Garrison boot camp

Military police are investigating a member of the Canadian Forces following allegations of a recent sexual assault at a boot camp at the Saint-Jean Garrison in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

Suspect arrested and released with conditions, spokesman says

A Canadian flag patch sewn onto green army fatigues.
An alleged sexual assault at the Saint-Jean Garrison is under investigation by the Canadian Forces' sexual offence response team. (Frédéric Pepin/Radio-Canada)

Military police are investigating a member of the Canadian Forces following allegations of a recent sexual assault at a boot camp at the Saint-Jean Garrison in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.

Maj. Jean-Marc Mercier, a spokesman for military police, confirmed the investigation is underway and that a suspect was arrested and released with conditions.

The sexual offence response team, based at CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City, will lead the investigation, he said.

The team — which has six offices across the country — was set up in September. It was created as part of the response to revelations in 2014 that a large number of sexual assault investigations within the military were being mishandled.

Mercier said he was not authorized to release further information about the case. 

The Saint-Jean Garrison, also known as Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, is the site of the 12-week basic training course that non-commissioned members of the Forces must undergo shortly after they enlist.