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2mo ago

Canadian Army Removes Cameron Highlanders Commander, Initiates Fresh Inquiry

Lieutenant-General Michael Wright appointed an interim commander to oversee an army-led investigation into allegations of racist, homophobic, antisemitic, sexual content posted by reservists in the Blue Hackle Mafia

The Canadian Army has been investigating what was called the "Blue Hackle Mafia" group.
Lt. Col. Ryan Hendy, the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders salutes at a Remembrance Day ceremony in 2014.
Army commander Lieutenant-General Michael Wright said he was taking steps to address the 'inappropriate behaviour' of Canadian Army members involved in the Facebook group.
An explicit photo posted by the Blue Hackle Mafia to its Facebook page, which has around 200 participants. The page has been in operation for at least 14 years.

Overview

  • The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders was temporarily removed from duty on July 18 as an interim leader takes command of the reserve unit.
  • The Canadian Army launched a fresh internal inquiry to examine alleged unethical conduct in the private Facebook group in addition to an ongoing unit disciplinary investigation and a reopened Military Police probe.
  • Roughly 200 reservists are accused of sharing racist, homophobic, antisemitic and explicit sexual content in a group called the Blue Hackle Mafia.
  • Defence Minister David McGuinty warned any member implicated in the Facebook group should anticipate administrative or disciplinary action under military regulations.
  • The scandal has intensified scrutiny of the Canadian Armed Forces’ efforts to identify, discipline extremist behavior during a broader modernization drive.