The Canadian Armed Forces is investigating an incident of alleged hateful conduct after a video surfaced of people allegedly performing the Nazi salute.
Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, commander of the army, said in a statement Tuesday that he became aware of a video on Aug. 6 containing “hateful conduct involving members of the Canadian Army.”
Lt.-Gen. Wright said the video was referred to military police within hours of it being shared, and five people were later identified as serving members.
Those soldiers have been suspended from military duties, he said, and an internal investigation is under way to determine the breadth and scope of the incident. Once the facts are confirmed, all appropriate action will be taken, he said.
The video was shared by a member of the public, according to Lt.-Gen. Wright, and shows at least seven people.
“One individual can be seen performing drill in front of the Royal 22e Régiment flag and then consuming a substance,” he said. “At one point in the video, other individuals perform the Nazi salute.”
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Lt.-Gen. Wright said he is aware that the events happened in 2023, and the members remain subject to administrative and disciplinary action.
He added he is “deeply disturbed and profoundly disappointed” with the video’s content, calling it “completely unacceptable” and saying action will be taken swiftly.
Hateful conduct and extremism have “no place” in the Canadian Army, he said, adding that it hurts recruitment and credibility, as well as erodes public trust.
“Canadian Army members who jeopardize that trust and participate in hateful conduct will face the consequences of their actions,” he said.
The Department of Defence statement did not provide further details, including if the accused soldiers were regular forces or part of the reserves. It also did not say if the five suspended soldiers were among the people seen in the video performing the Nazi salute.
This story was first reported by CBC News.
Last month, military police reopened their investigation into a private Facebook group where soldiers were alleged to have posted racist comments and sexual images.
Also in July, the RCMP arrested four men, including two active members of the Canadian Forces, for allegedly diverting items from the military with the intent to create an extremist militia and take over a plot of land north of Quebec City.
Those allegedly involved in that plot are now facing a number of charges, including facilitating terrorism and illegal possession of guns and other military gear.
With files from Stephanie Levitz, Colin Freeze, Tu Thanh Ha, Eric Andrew-Gee and Kevin Dougherty