Latest news with #LtGenMichaelWright
National Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Army commander was kept in the dark about Ottawa soldiers' 'abhorrent' Facebook group
Canada's army commander was kept in the dark about antisemitic, misogynistic and racist comments on a site operated by his soldiers despite complaints previously being made to military police, top officers and military legal officials. Article content Some soldiers from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa have been operating what they call the Blue Hackle Mafia Facebook group. They have posted images of male soldiers in uniform exposing their genitals, others posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons or simulating sexual acts with each other in uniform. Some of the photos were taken at military installations. Article content Article content Article content Complaints were made in December to military police about the Blue Hackle Mafia group, the Canadian Forces has confirmed. In addition, complaints about the private Facebook site and the contents being posted by soldiers were made to Lt. Col. Ryan Hendy, who commands the Cameron Highlanders, as well as 33 Brigade Commander Col. James McKay, according to whistleblowers. The inappropriate contents of the Facebook account and its existence was also reported to officials in the Judge Advocate General's office. Article content But army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright 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 'On 25 June 2025, I was made aware of allegations regarding the 'Blue Hackle Mafia' private social media group involving members of the Canadian Army that featured abhorrent racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and antisemitic comments and images,' Wright noted in an email sent to media outlets. 'I can share that I am disgusted by the content of some of the posts published on this group.' Article content Article content Defence insiders say it is highly unusual that the army commander would have been kept in the dark about such a high profile issue. Article content Over the last decade, the Canadian Forces has been mired in allegations of sexual assault, harassment, racism and homophobia. The resulting scandals prompted reports and inquiries by former Supreme Court justices Marie Deschamps and Louise Arbour, along with pledges by the military leadership to bring about change. In addition, a number of senior officers have faced charges or court proceedings for alleged sexual misconduct or assault.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Military police investigating Facebook page filled with racism, misogyny
Military police say they have reopened an investigation into a Facebook group behind what the army's commander calls 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images.' THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — Military police say they have reopened an investigation into a Facebook group the Canadian Army's commanding officer describes as 'abhorrent.' Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright says he was made aware of allegations about a Facebook group called the 'Blue Hackle Mafia' on June 25 and that they involved 'members of the Canadian Army.' Wright says the group's posts featured 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images.' The group was initially reported to the army chain of command last December and the Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal says the case was transferred to the unit for a disciplinary investigation. The investigation was reopened by military police on June 27, according to an emailed statement from the provost marshal's office. Wright says all members of the Canadian Army need to 'hold themselves to the highest standards' and anyone caught engaging in this type of online behaviour could 'face administrative and/or disciplinary consequences.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
