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CBC
2 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
2 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
3 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.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Lottery player pounds desk after scratching California ticket. ‘I lost my mind'
While an interruption to a 'daily rhythm' can often be an inconvenience, it turned into a 'life-changing moment' for a California lottery player. During a 'routine morning stop' at a Vacaville gas station across the street from his work, Michael Wright bought a $10 Triple Red 777 scratch-off ticket, California Lottery officials said in a July 15 news release. Soon after, Wright said he 'got to scratching' in his methodical way. 'I start from the bottom right corner and work my way up,' Wright told lottery officials. Wright found multiple zeros — six to be exact. 'Am I seeing things? Is this a dream? Oh my gosh,' Wright said of his reaction realizing he had won $1 million. 'I lost my mind in the store. I started pounding the little lottery desk.' Prior to his win, Wright had been looking for an exit from his day job of more than three years. And his 'win just accelerated a plan in motion,' lottery officials said. 'I told my son, 'We're going to transition. I'll find something else for us. We are going to exit gracefully,'' he said. Wright told lottery officials he already has plans for his winnings, including starting a family business with his wife and buying a new home. Wright said his win 'came at the right time.' 'If you don't believe in a higher power when this type of stuff happens, you've got to,' he said. Vacaville is about a 30-mile drive southwest from Sacramento.
Toronto Sun
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Army commander was kept in the dark about Ottawa soldiers' 'abhorrent' Facebook group
Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright said he didn't know about the Blue Hackle Mafia until he was asked about it by the Ottawa Citizen The Blue Hackle Mafia has operated its Facebook page with around 200 participants for at least 14 years. Photo by Facebook / Blue Hackle Mafia 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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 Don't have an account? Create Account 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. The Facebook page also includes hateful comments directed towards women, derogatory sexual comments about former prime minister Justin Trudeau, as well as discussions about raping grandmothers. In other cases, posts disparage both Jews and Muslims. 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. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. '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.' Asked why the various military officials did not inform Wright about the Blue Hackle Mafia controversy, Department of National Defence spokeswoman Andrée-Anne Poulin stated in an email that the army is now ' looking at how information related to this matter flowed through the chain of command.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Defence insiders say it is highly unusual that the army commander would have been kept in the dark about such a high profile issue. 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. I can share that I am disgusted by the content of some of the posts published on this group Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, Canadian Forces army commander In October 2020, a series of high profile hateful conduct incidents involving army personnel forced the service to issue specific orders on how to deal with such controversies. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Blue Hackle Mafia has operated its Facebook group with around 200 participants for at least 14 years. After the Citizen submitted questions to DND about the Facebook group, 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. On July 4, Wright instructed his statement about the social media group be distributed to all army personnel, she added. The military police unit in Ottawa initially examined the complaints about the Blue Hackle Mafia group but those officers turned over the case to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The transfer to the unit for a disciplinary investigation was considered the best use of options available in the military justice system, in this case,' noted a statement issued by the office of Canadian Forces Provost Marshal Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan. Whistleblowers, however, pointed out that action resulted in a reserve force captain in the unit conducting an investigation into his fellow officers and soldiers. Hanrahan's email noted that military police have now re-opened their investigation into the Blue Hackle Mafia group. 'This new investigation is ongoing and no further information will be provided at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation,' the email added. 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. During the Second World War, the King of England first allowed the Cameron Highlanders to wear the blue hackle on their headdress as a mark of their honour and fighting pride. David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: Read More Canada Sunshine Girls Toronto Blue Jays Canada Sunshine Girls
