Toronto Liberal candidate who paused campaign under review by military over dropped sexual assault charge

Toronto Liberal candidate Kevin Vuong, who is on pause from campaigning in the federal election over a past sexual assault charge that was dropped, is also now under review by the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Defence Department spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier confirmed that, based on available information at this time, Vuong, who is also a naval reservist, failed to notify the military in 2019 about the arrest. 

Military members are required to share criminal charges with their chain of command. The military is deliberating what steps to take next, and they could be administrative in nature, said Le Bouthillier.

The news of the dropped 2019 sexual assault charge were first reported by the Toronto Star. The navy learned about the case from the Star story, the Defence Department said.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said Friday his party also only learned of the allegations Thursday from the Star's report. He called the allegations "serious."

Trudeau was asked if Vuong would be allowed to sit as an MP if he wins his riding of Spadina-Fort York.

"We are looking into it very carefully and we have asked the candidate to pause his campaign," Trudeau replied.