Ottawa soldiers warned after explicit photos sent to commanding officer
But that has raised concerns among whistleblowers about conflict of interest as a reserve force captain in the unit had been assigned to investigate fellow soldiers and officers.
Article content
In a statement, military police characterized the postings as 'historic,' signifying that they were in the past.
Article content
But in a March 2025 post obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, one of the soldiers, who is a member of the Blue Hackle Mafia, was once again posting photos from the Cartier Square Drill Hall with sexual references.
Article content
The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own) serve as the city of Ottawa's official regiment, according to the Canadian Forces. The regiment is tasked, as needed, to provide ceremonial guards of honour for visiting dignitaries and for national ceremonies and events. The reserve unit operates out of the Cartier Square Drill Hall on Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
Article content
Article content
Asked whether the Blue Hackle Mafia site or its postings had been previously reported before December 2024 to the army's leadership or senior officers in the Cameron Highlanders, DND spokesperson Poulin stated that a review is underway.
Article content
Defence Minister David McGuinty issued a statement saying that the behaviour on the Blue Hackle Mafia site is unacceptable.
Article content
'The Minister was made aware of it only last week,' Laurent de Casanove, McGuinty's press secretary, stated in an email. He would not provide a specific date.
Article content
Article content
Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright has stated he knew nothing about the controversy surrounding the high profile reserve unit until he was briefed about the situation on June 25, the day after the Ottawa Citizen sent images from the Facebook group to DND and asked him for comment.
Article content
After the Citizen submitted its questions, Wright conferred with his senior army leadership. On June 27, Wright spoke with all division commanders about the Blue Hackle Mafia group, 'reinforcing the Army's commitment to uphold its values and the importance of applying military disciplinary and administrative processes in cases of alleged misconduct,' according to Poulin.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ole Miss football player Corey Adams is killed in Tennessee shooting
Ole Miss freshman football player Corey Adams was killed in a shooting in Tennessee, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday. Law enforcement officials found Adams with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle at an intersection in Cordova on the outskirts of Memphis late Saturday, the sheriff's office said in a statement. 'They provided life-saving measures until Shelby County Fire arrived,' the sheriff's office said. 'Shelby County Fire personnel later pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.' Four other men who suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in the incident arrived at nearby hospitals in personal vehicles, authorities said. Law enforcement officials have not named any suspects but said they are investigating the shooting as a homicide. Adams, an 18-year-old New Orleans native, had been one of the top defensive linemen recruits in the country. The football program at the University of Mississippi said in a social media post it was 'devastated' to learn of Adams' death. 'While our program is trying to cope with this tragic loss, our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,' the team said. 'We ask the Ole Miss community to keep Corey in their thoughts and respect the privacy of everyone involved.' Adams' former New Orleans high school football team, the Edna Karr Cougars, said in a Facebook post that 'words can't describe this type of pain.' 'Corey Adams was more than a football player! He was a friend, brother, son, student, and all around great young man,' the team stated. 'We never question God but this is one we just don't understand.'
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Federal cuts are freezing new grads out of the public service
Public servants go to work in downtown Ottawa. Photo by JEAN LEVAC / POSTMEDIA Vanessa Ferucci has been looking for a public service job since what feels like forever. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors A Carleton University graduate from Sudbury, Ferucci finished her political science degree with honours in international relations and world politics in June. She said she always wanted a job in politics and she couldn't imagine doing anything else. 'I finally have a piece of paper that has my full name on it. I worked for it. I did all the work. I did the assignments, I went to class. I feel a lot of pride with it,' Ferucci said. But the weakening job market for youth in Canada, along with Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending review, means Ferucci has been looking for work for months. The Ottawa Citizen's best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers earlier this month asking them to find savings of 15 per cent from their departments over three years. The letters marked the beginning of Carney's spending review, which is set to start in earnest in the next fiscal year with a 7.5 per cent reduction, an additional 2.5 per cent cut the year after and a 5 per cent cut in 2028-29. Carney had also promised to cap the public service throughout his 2025 federal election campaign. Ministers will have until the end of the summer to find where the savings will be coming from, just in time for a new budget in the fall. 'When I heard about the cuts, I thought, 'Well, that sounds about right,'' Ferucci said. She said it's been more difficult for her to find a job in the public service. Most of the job openings at government agencies require her to have five to seven years of experience, she said, something she doesn't have even with previous co-op experience. Ferucci told the Ottawa Citizen she sent 10 to 15 applications months ago but has not heard back from any of them. She also said she's been emailing local MPs and asking them if there are internship or volunteer opportunities at their offices. To help pay the bills, she's been working as a barista on campus. However, she will have to find a job by September because she will no longer be a student at Carleton University when the new school year starts. 'I'm just feeling frustrated because I also don't have time to keep doing this every day. I still do have my summer job, and I love my job … I have to find something, and if I do want to apply to grad school for the fall of 2026, I need some sort of income, especially if I'm not from Ottawa,' she added.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Community rallies to support son, family of Teulon murder victim
A 37-year-old man who was fatally shot in his Teulon home has been identified, as community members raise funds to support his family. Sean Lawson, 37, was found in his home by Stonewall RCMP on 7th Avenue Southeast in Teulon on July 13 with life-threatening injuries. He was transported to hospital and later pronounced dead. A donation fund has been created to support Lawson's 12-year-old son, according to a Friday Facebook post. The money raised will pay for counselling and other resources for the son and family members, along with contributing towards a post-secondary education fund. Richelle Rae-Anne, a friend of Lawson, said his death robbed people of their father, son and brother. 'It's heart-shattering that this senseless and horrific crime could happen to such an amazing human being,' she said in separate Facebook post. 'Sean was one of the best humans I've ever known.' Donavin Skogan, 24, of Traverse Bay has been charged with second-degree murder. fpcity@
