Latest news with #CanadianArmy
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa officer suspended as army investigates 'Blue Hackle Mafia' group
The Canadian Army has temporarily suspended Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy following the discovery of a Facebook group with 'abhorrent' content. CAF has been investigating the group, which is said to promote 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images.'
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa officer suspended after army learned of antisemitic, homophobic 'Blue Hackle Mafia' group
The head of the Canadian Army has temporarily suspended the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders in Ottawa after discovering a Facebook group with "abhorrent" content. As CBC News reported earlier this month, the Canadian Armed Forces has been investigating what was called the "Blue Hackle Mafia" group, which the army said was littered with "racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images." Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright said in a July 16 message to members that he was taking steps to address the "inappropriate behaviour" in a Facebook group. Those steps include temporarily removing the head of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army, as an investigation into the group continues, he said. An interim head officer has been appointed to oversee the unit. The statement does not include names, but the regiment's website lists Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy as the commanding officer. "This incident has damaged the reputation of the Canadian Army at a time when we are engaged in important modernization work as part of a ready, resilient, and relevant Canadian Armed Forces," Wright wrote in the statement. He previously described the Facebook group's content as "abhorrent" and said he was "disgusted" by some of the posts. According to screenshots of the Blue Hackle Mafia group shared with the Ottawa Citizen, the group posted hateful comments directed toward women and derogatory sexual comments about former prime minister Justin Trudeau. In one posting described by the newspaper, members talked about getting together for drinks at an Ottawa bar. "All welcome (except the Jews of course)," responded a member. CBC News has not verified the screenshots. Wright's statement goes on to say the army is investigating the alleged unethical conduct of any serving Canadian Army members who were part of the group. The group is also being investigated by the military police. The Blue Hackle Mafia is one of two high-profile stories about conduct in the Armed Forces this month.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Ottawa army unit head removed as part of social media misconduct probe
OTTAWA - The head of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army regiment has been temporarily removed as part of an investigation into alleged online behaviour that the commander of the army says disgraced the military. The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been removed from his post in connection with a probe into the 'Blue Hackle Mafia' social media group, Lt-Gen Michael Wright said in a statement to army ranks Wednesday and shared with The Canadian Press Thursday.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa army unit head removed as part of social media misconduct probe
OTTAWA – The head of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army regiment has been temporarily removed as part of an investigation into alleged online behaviour that the commander of the army says disgraced the military. Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright says the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been removed from his post in connection with a probe into the 'Blue Hackle Mafia' social media group. Wright said previously that the Facebook group's posts included 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images' and the allegations involved 'members of the Canadian Army.' In an internal statement shared with The Canadian Press, Wright says the incident has damaged the Canadian Army's reputation. He says the military is still investigating any alleged unethical conduct from serving members of the army who were part of the group. That probe will include a review of the army's social media usage policies. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. — with files from David Baxter This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
14-07-2025
Bail date set for 3 Quebec men accused of facilitating a terrorist activity
Three men facing terrorism-related charges and firearms offences will appear in court for a bail hearing next week. Marc-Aurèle Chabot, Simon Angers-Audet, and Raphaël Lagacé have been charged with facilitating a terrorist activity and weapon-possession charges. The RCMP says the charges are tied to ideologically motivated violent extremism. Chabot, Angers-Audet and Lagacé will appear for a two-day bail hearing — due to the amount of evidence the prosecution says needs to be presented — on July 24 and 25 at the Quebec City courthouse. They remain detained and appeared briefly in court on Monday by video conference. A fourth individual, Matthew Forbes faces charges related to weapons possession. Forbes was released on bail on Monday on a $40,000 bond. He agreed to conditions that include wearing a GPS bracelet and possessing no weapons. He will next appear in court on Sept. 12. Two of the accused currently serve in Canadian Army The RCMP said last week in a news release that Chabot, Angers-Audet and Lagacé had been hoarding firearms and planned to take land in the Quebec City area by force. Police allege they were building up an anti-government militia. The Department of National Defence (DND) said in a news release Monday that both Chabot and Forbes are currently serving in the Canadian Army. WATCH | Father of one of the men accused of facilitating terrorism speaks out: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Forbes enrolled in the Canadian Army in October 2016 and joined the 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada in November 2017. He was deployed to two operations. He was part of a military contingent that assisted the RCMP in securing the G7 in Charlevoix, Que., in 2018, and he deployed in 2019 as part of Operation Reassurance — Canada's contribution to NATO's defence measures in Central Europe. Chabot enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist in June 2019 and transferred to the regular force in July 2023. Angers-Audet enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist in June 2019 until May 2022. Lagacé was a civilian instructor with the air cadets. The DND news release also said none of the weapons seized during the RCMP investigation into the four men originated from the Canadian Armed Forces. Philippe Audet, the father of Angers-Audet, told CBC News last week that he believed his son was being framed. He said his son had been training to perform better in the military and wasn't involved in any terrorism-related activity. He said he was shocked when an RCMP SWAT team burst into his home to arrest his son. Matthew Lapierre (new window) · CBC News · Journalist Matthew Lapierre is a digital journalist at CBC Montreal. He previously worked for the Montreal Gazette and the Globe and Mail. You can reach him at
