Question Period Note: HATEFUL CONDUCT IN THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES

• Why does the Canadian Armed Forces continue to allow people with racist and extremist ideologies within its ranks?

• Canadians expect their military to uphold shared values of diversity, respect, and inclusion.
• Racism and extremism are totally incompatible with the military ethos and Canadian values.
• These diminish reputation of the Canadian Armed Forces as a force for good at home and around the world.
• When one of our members is found to be contravening our core values, we act decisively.
• We do so in respect of the rule of law, including due process and individual rights.

If pressed on screening for potential ideologically motivated violent extremists
* The Canadian Armed Forces has measures in place to building a military force that reflects Canadian ideals of diversity, respect, and inclusion.
* Trained recruiters thoroughly screen new applicants for their suitability and past criminal history.
* The Canadian Armed Forces provides training on appropriate conduct and the military ethos as soon as members enter basic training.
* This training continues until members leave the armed forces.
* We will continue to build a modern, inclusive, and welcoming military force that Canadians can be proud of.

If pressed on remedial measures
* We hold all Canadian Armed Forces members to the highest level of professional and personal conduct, whether they are on or off duty.
* The Canadian Armed Forces takes action if a complaint is made against one of its members or if any information indicates wrongdoing.
* Corrective measures are made on a case-by-case basis following an investigation.
* The remedial measures range from counseling, administrative actions, or charges under the National Defence Act.
* A member can also be released from their duties as a result of hateful conduct

BACKGROUND

• In 2018, the Military Police Criminal Intelligence Section published an internal report on white supremacy, hate groups, and racism in the Canadian Armed Forces. The reported indicated that compared to the total number of Canadian Armed Forces members, the number of those involved with hateful conduct was statistically insignificant. Following the release of this report via an Access to Information request, civil society groups called for the Canadian Armed Forces to recognize the severity of the issue.

Specific, high-profile incidents of extremism in the Canadian Armed Forces

• Iron March: In November 2019, the media reported on leaked material from the defunct the neo-Nazi website, Iron March. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network claims one of the website users, Boris Mihajlovic, is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and that he arranged an illegal weapons deal in Eastern Europe in 2017. In early December, CBC reported that Mihajlovic remains a reservist and claims he ‘has turned his life around’, and no longer supports extremist ideology or has ties to hate groups since Iron March shut down in 2017. The article notes that an investigation by the Royal Canada Navy is ongoing into this matter.

• The Base: In August 2019, separate Royal Canadian Mounted Police and military investigations were launched into a reservist, Master Corporal Patrik Mathews. He is suspected of recruiting for a militant neo-Nazi group, The Base. Master Corporal Mathews joined the reserves in 2010 and was a combat engineer with 38 Canadian Brigade Group in Winnipeg. In early December, media outlets reported that Matthews is being harboured in the US by members of a violent neo-Nazi paramilitary group and has recently helped train other extremists at a “hate camp”.

• FireForce Ventures: In February 2019, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Services determined that Mr. Henry Lung violated the Canadian Armed Forces Code of Values and Ethics. As the co-owner of FireForce Ventures, Mr. Lung sold Rhodesia military style apparel and memorabilia to white nationalists. Three other Canadian Armed Forces members worked for FireForce Ventures. The investigation did not find them to be linked to improper conduct. They returned to active duty.

• Three percenters: In February 2018, media reported an increase of right-wing groups in the Maritimes, specifically a group called the Three percenters, who bragged about their shooting capacity and training. The articles mentioned that ex-Canadian Armed Forces members might be part of these radicalized groups.

• La Meute: In October 2017, an investigation by Radio-Canada found approximately 75 Canadian Armed Forces personnel were members of La Meute, a Quebec far-right nationalist group. In response, the Canadian Armed Forces held conferences with members on bases in Montréal, St-Jean-Richelieu and Valcartier on the role of the armed forces in preventing violent radicalization, as well as addressing the potential presence of radicalized members in the military.

• Proud Boys: In July 2017, five members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who identified as members of a “Western chauvinist” organization called the “Proud Boys,” disrupted a Mi’kmaw ceremony in Halifax, Nova Scotia. No charges were laid against the members; one has since left the military, and the remaining four were placed on a probationary monitoring period.

RECENT PARLIAMENTARY INTEREST

• During the last parliamentary session, Julie Dzerowicz (LPC) proposed that the House Standing Committee on National Defence undertake a study of extremism, including racist attitudes and beliefs within the Canadian Armed Forces. This review did not occur.

RECENT MEDIA INTEREST

• On August 22, 2019, the Chief of the Defence Staff participated in a media scrum following the Military Personnel Command Change of Command Ceremony. In his statement, he addressed concerns about extremisms and hateful conduct within the Canadian Armed Forces.

GBA+

• Nil.

INDIGENOUS

• Members of the Proud Boys organization disrupted a Mik’maq ceremony in 2017. Rear-Admiral Newton, then-Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic, met with Indigenous leaders in the wake of the incident. There were calls for the Canadian Armed Forces members involved in the incident to also meet with the Indigenous group directly impacted by their actions.

Responsible Principals: Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Military Personnel Command, Judge Advocate General

QUICK FACTS

• A 2018 internal report by the Military Police Criminal Intelligence Section stated between 2013 and 2018:

  • 16 regular force and reserve members were associated with hate groups; and
  • 35 regular force and reserve members were alleged to have engaged in racist or hate-motivated conduct.

• Of this 51 total (as of December 5, 2019):

  • 15 members received remedial measures, such as counselling, warnings, probations, and other disciplinary actions.
  • 21 members are no longer in the Canadian Armed Forces as a result of various considerations:
    • 3 members have been released in direct relation to hateful conduct
    • 18 members have voluntarily or medically released
    • Investigations into 7 members have found no wrongdoing
• Other investigations are ongoing