Ottawa revealed the figure this week in response to a question from the Conservatives.

The comments come amid questions over whether the newly re-elected Liberal government plans to replace Vance, who was first appointed chief of the defence staff by Stephen Harper and is now in his fifth year in the position.

It was only two months ago that the now military commander Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre had been installed in a similar change-of-command ceremony as the chief of military personnel.

The Canadian Forces' top brass is being shuffled again following the surprise resignation this week of the military's second-in-command.

Roy Green asks whether Canadians will ever learn the full details of the Mark Norman case.

Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk is defending Gen. Jonathan Vance after his resignation letter leaked to the media.

Paul Wynnyk's departure as vice-chief of the defence staff, effective Aug. 9, is the latest blow to the Canadian military, whose top ranks have been in a perpetual state of upheaval since Mark Norman was suspended as second-in-command.

Lt. Gen. Paul Wynnyk said in a letter that he was informed of a plan for Mark Norman to return to his old job and replace him. That changed when he reached a settlement with Ottawa.

The settlement between Vice-Admiral Mark Norman and the Defence Department was undertaken independently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday.

"Canadians, including those who served with you, won't be afforded the opportunity to salute your stellar career in a dignified military manner," writes Roy Green.