A Canadian soldier is seen during an announcement in Petawawa, Ontario, on Thursday, October 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Five Canadian soldiers face suspension after a video showed them giving Nazi salutes. Military police have opened an investigation. The army’s top commander, Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, called the video disturbing and said such behaviour has no place in Canada’s military.
“I am deeply disturbed and profoundly disappointed with the content of the video — the behaviour is completely unacceptable, and swift action will be taken,” Wright said.
How the Video Emerged
A member of the public shared the clip with the army. The video, filmed in 2023, shows at least seven people. Five of them have been confirmed as serving members of the Canadian Army.
The footage also shows one individual performing drill movements in front of the Royal 22e Régiment flag while consuming an unknown substance.
Wright said he became aware of the video on August 6 and immediately referred it to military police.
Strong Warning From Leadership
Wright stressed that hateful conduct damages the army’s credibility and weakens public trust. He said such behaviour also makes it harder to attract new recruits.
“Canadian Army members who jeopardize that trust and participate in hateful conduct will face the consequences of their actions,” Wright added.
Growing Concerns About Extremism
Experts say the case highlights the need for stronger screening measures to stop extremists from joining the military. Recent events suggest extremist activity remains a real concern.
Earlier this summer, federal police laid terrorism charges against current and former soldiers in Quebec. They were accused of planning to form an anti-government militia and seize land.
Police seized dozens of weapons in that case, including explosives, assault rifles, and a huge stockpile of ammunition. Authorities described it as the largest weapons cache ever linked to a terrorism case in Canada.
Those charged included two serving members, Cpl. Marc-Aurèle Chabot and Cpl. Matthew Forbes, along with two former soldiers, Simon Angers-Audet and Raphaël Lagacé. The RCMP labelled the case “ideologically motivated violent extremism.”
What Comes Next
The army has not confirmed what penalties the suspended soldiers could face if the investigation supports the allegations. Wright said action will be swift, stressing that the army must uphold values of respect and integrity.
The case adds pressure on Canada’s military to act against extremism and restore public confidence.
