Nazi salute video gets five Canadian soldiers suspended, officials say
Five active members of the Canadian Army have been suspended after a video from 2023 emerged of them performing a Nazi salute, according to officials.
Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, said the video showing “hateful conduct” was brought to his attention by a member of the public Aug. 6 and was immediately sent to military police for further investigation, according to a statement shared with McClatchy news on Aug. 19.
“One individual can be seen performing drill in front of the Royal 22e Régiment flag and then consuming a substance,” Wright said.
Later on, “other individuals perform the Nazi salute,” he said.
Five individuals have been suspended from military duties, pending an active investigation by the unit, according to Wright.
“Once the facts have been confirmed, all appropriate action will be taken,” Wright said. Though the events happened about two years ago, Wright said the individuals are still “subject to administrative and disciplinary action that may lead to their release.”
“I am deeply disturbed and profoundly disappointed with the content of the video,” Wright said, calling the behavior “completely unacceptable.”
“Hateful conduct and extremism have no place in the Canadian Army,” Wright said. “It hurts our ability to recruit the best of Canada, to maintain credibility to deliver on operations, and it erodes public trust in our institution.”
“Canadian Army members who jeopardize that trust and participate in hateful conduct will face the consequences of their actions,” Wright said.
Data from the Canadian Armed Force’s internal Hateful Conduct Incident Tracking System shows reported incidents nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024 following several years of steady decline, the CBC reported.
Engaging in hate speech and propaganda accounted for 26 of the 54 reported incidents in 2024, the outlet reported.]
