Top echelon of military shuffled as Liberals retools Canadian ISIL mission

OTTAWA – The Canadian navy and army will be getting new commanders in the near future.

The country’s top military commander, Gen. Jonathan Vance, has announced the annual series of promotions and retirements among the top brass of the armed forces.

The changes, although routine, come at a critical time as the Trudeau government resets the country’s strategy in the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The current deputy commander of the military, Lt.-Gen. Guy Thibault, will retire and be replaced by Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, who currently helms the navy.

At the same time, Rear-Admiral Ron Lloyd will take over as navy commander.

Also among the retirements is Canada’s military representative at NATO, Vice-Admiral Bob Davidson, who will be replaced in Brussels by the current commander of the army, Lt.-Gen. Marquis Haines, who has held the post for almost three years.

The new top soldier will be Maj.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general in the near future.

Also among the retirements is Maj.-Gen. Dean Milner, the country’s last task force commander during the Kandahar combat mission.

The various changes of command will take place over the next several months.