OTTAWA—Prime Minister Stephen Harper has denounced comments made by Canada’s top general blaming biology for the problem of sexual harassment and misconduct in the military.

Harper sidestepped opposition demands that he immediately sack Gen. Tom Lawson, who is due to leave his post in a few weeks, but made plain his annoyance at what he called the “inextricable” remarks.

“I found the general’s comments offensive, inappropriate and completely unacceptable. Sexual misconduct, sexual harassment are unacceptable in any institution. We are all very clear on that. There is no excuse for it,” the prime minister said in the Commons.

In an interview with CBC that aired Tuesday, Lawson, the chief of defence staff, said that some male soldiers are “biologically wired in a certain way” that makes inappropriate behaviour seem acceptable to them.

“There will be those who believe it is a reasonable thing to press themselves and their desires on others. It’s not the way it should be,” Lawson told interviewer Peter Mansbridge.

Lawson quickly apologized for what he called his “awkward characterization.

“Sexual misconduct in any form, in any situation, is clearly unacceptable,” he said in a statement.

“My reference to biological attraction being a factor in sexual misconduct was by no means intended to excuse anyone from responsibility for their actions,” Lawson said.

But that apology did little to stem the torrent of angry reaction Wednesday morning as politicians of all stripes weighed in to condemn the remarks. Lawson was already scheduled to leave the job in a few weeks. But that wasn’t quick enough for some politicians.

“Gen. Lawson should be immediately dismissed. His comments are absolutely out of place in 2015,” Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau told reporters Wednesday.

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said the comments were “completely wrong” and signalled a deeper problem within the military culture.

“He’s apologized and he’s leaving in a couple of weeks. But if only the problem were as simple as the departure of one general who said something wrong,” Mulcair said.

“The real problem is that no one is working for a change in the culture of the military on the issue of sexual harassment,” the NDP leader said.

He questioned both how seriously the military views the problems of sexual harassment within the ranks and their commitment to act on the recommendations of a recent report meant to curb misconduct.

“They simply don’t get it,” Mulcair said. “We need a government that understands these issues and will force that kind of cultural change within the military.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

The comments come in the wake of a damning report by former Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps that found women in the military endure a toxic work environment, and are often the target of vulgar name-calling, sexual innuendoes and jokes, harassment and assault.

Deschamps found that military brass condones or ignores the offensive behaviour.

Read more about: