Earlier today, my colleagues reported this:
Canada’s defence department has recalled an internal booklet after discovering it contained a photo of convicted sex killer and ex-colonel Russell Williams.
Williams, now 49, was imprisoned for life after pleading guilty in October 2010 to killing two women, attacking two more and committing a years-long series of break-ins and fetish thefts between Ottawa and Belleville.
His most severe crimes were committed while Williams commanded CFB Trenton, Canada’s largest air force base.
Yet he appears in the background in the first edition of a new professional development booklet produced last week by the Canadian Defence Academy, a branch of the federal Department of National Defence. A copy of the booklet was obtained by QMI Agency.
Read the rest of the story: Russell Williams image used in DND promo booklet.
This evening, after learning about this story, Defence Minister Peter MacKay issued the following statement:
Today, I learned of the existence of a DND booklet that contained a photograph of convicted murderer Russell Williams.
As soon as I became aware of this booklet, I immediately ordered the military to destroy all copies of the collected booklets.
I intend to call the families of Mr. Williams’ two murder victims to inform them of this terrible mistake and express our most sincere apologies on behalf of the entire military family.
I have also instructed my officials to immediately begin an investigation to ensure it does not happen again.
This is a terrible mistake for which the Canadian Forces are truly sorry.