Ottawa soldiers under investigation for Facebook group filled with hate speech and nude photos in uniform

National Post

11 hours ago

For years, soldiers with an Ottawa military unit have operated a private Facebook account where they post photos of themselves in uniform exposing their genitals, as well as antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic and racist comments.
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The Canadian Army confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen that it had started an investigation in December into the group that is known as the Blue Hackle Mafia. The group is made up of soldiers from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a reserve unit that operates out of the Cartier Square Drill Hall on Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
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The Blue Hackle Mafia has operated its Facebook page with around 200 participants for at least 14 years.
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Some of the images posted show 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. There are also derogatory sexual comments posted about former prime minister Justin Trudeau as well as discussions about raping grandmothers.
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In one posting the military personnel talk about getting together for drinks at an Ottawa bar. 'All welcome (except the Jews of course),' the post noted.
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The Ottawa Citizen provided screenshots of some of the postings to Canadian Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright on June 24, after which he confirmed that an investigation had already been started into the social media group.
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'I can share that I am disgusted by the content of some of the posts published on this group,' Wright stated in an email to the Ottawa Citizen. 'Posting such content runs counter to our values and ethics. I have reinforced with the chain of command the importance of our military disciplinary and administrative processes in addressing reported misconducts.'
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Wright characterized the Blue Hackle Mafia Facebook group as featuring 'abhorrent racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and antisemitic comments and images.'
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Wright said that he expects all members of the Canadian Army to hold themselves to the highest standards. 'I have ordered that any serving Canadian Army members currently on this social media group immediately cease their participation,' he added. 'Further, I have issued direction to the Canadian Army chain of command to reinforce that this type of behaviour is unacceptable, and any member who engages in inappropriate behaviour should expect to face administrative and/or disciplinary consequences.'
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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.