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CBC
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa officer suspended as army investigates 'Blue Hackle Mafia' group
The Canadian Army has temporarily suspended Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy following the discovery of a Facebook group with 'abhorrent' content. CAF has been investigating the group, which is said to promote 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images.'
CBC
18-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa officer suspended after army learned of antisemitic, homophobic 'Blue Hackle Mafia' group
The head of the Canadian Army has temporarily suspended the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders in Ottawa after discovering a Facebook group with "abhorrent" content. As CBC News reported earlier this month, the Canadian Armed Forces has been investigating what was called the "Blue Hackle Mafia" group, which the army said was littered with "racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images." Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright said in a July 16 message to members that he was taking steps to address the "inappropriate behaviour" in a Facebook group. Those steps include temporarily removing the head of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army, as an investigation into the group continues, he said. An interim head officer has been appointed to oversee the unit. The statement does not include names, but the regiment's website lists Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy as the commanding officer. "This incident has damaged the reputation of the Canadian Army at a time when we are engaged in important modernization work as part of a ready, resilient, and relevant Canadian Armed Forces," Wright wrote in the statement. He previously described the Facebook group's content as "abhorrent" and said he was "disgusted" by some of the posts. According to screenshots of the Blue Hackle Mafia group shared with the Ottawa Citizen, the group posted hateful comments directed toward women and derogatory sexual comments about former prime minister Justin Trudeau. In one posting described by the newspaper, members talked about getting together for drinks at an Ottawa bar. "All welcome (except the Jews of course)," responded a member. CBC News has not verified the screenshots. Wright's statement goes on to say the army is investigating the alleged unethical conduct of any serving Canadian Army members who were part of the group. The group is also being investigated by the military police. The Blue Hackle Mafia is one of two high-profile stories about conduct in the Armed Forces this month.
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Cameron Highlanders top officer removed in wake of Blue Hackle Mafia controversy
The Canadian Army has initiated a summary investigation to examine the alleged conduct of any currently serving members that were part of the online group. Ryan Hendy, then a lieutenant-colonel and now the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders, salutes at a Remembrance Day ceremony in 2014. Photo by Julie Oliver / Postmedia The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been temporarily removed from his position in the aftermath of the Blue Hackle Mafia controversy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright said in a July 16 message to army personnel that he was taking steps to address the 'inappropriate behaviour' in a Facebook group, where members have posted antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic and racist comments. 'As of 16 July 2025, the Commanding Officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been temporarily removed from his position and all individuals involved will be provided procedural fairness in accordance with the applicable policies,' Wright said in his statement to the army. 'In the meantime, an interim Commanding Officer has been appointed to oversee the unit.' The statement did not include the name of the commanding officer nor the interim commanding officer. But the official website and Facebook page operated by the Cameron Highlanders listed the commanding officer as Lt. Col. Ryan Hendy. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Ottawa Citizen had previously asked Hendy for comment about the Blue Hackle Mafia Facebook page but he did not respond. As first reported in the Ottawa Citizen, some soldiers from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa have been operating what they call the Blue Hackle Mafia Facebook group. They have posted images of 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. The Facebook page also includes hateful comments directed towards women, derogatory sexual comments about former prime minister Justin Trudeau, as well as discussions about raping grandmothers. In other cases, posts disparage both Jews and Muslims. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Wright has acknowledged he didn't know about the Blue Hackle Mafia until he was asked about it by the Ottawa Citizen. Wright noted in his statement that the Canadian Army is initiating a summary investigation to examine the alleged unethical conduct of any currently serving Canadian Army members that were part of the online group. 'The investigation will also include a review of the policies and procedures related to reporting and social media usage by members of the Canadian Army,' he said. The summary investigation will be led by an investigative team composed of a 'Post Command Lieutenant-Colonel' and supplemented by the appropriate specialists, Wright stated. He did not provide the names of those individuals involved in the investigation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Complaints were made in December to military police about the Blue Hackle Mafia group. In addition, complaints about the private Facebook group and the contents being posted by soldiers were made to Lt. Col. Hendy, as well as 33 Brigade Commander Col. James McKay, according to whistleblowers interviewed by the Ottawa Citizen. The inappropriate contents of the Facebook account and its existence was also reported to officials in the Judge Advocate General's office. At the time military police were also provided with videos and screenshots of the Blue Hackle Mafia material but decided not to launch an investigation. Instead, military police turned over the investigation to the Cameron Highlanders. A reserve force captain who serves with some of those involved in the Blue Hackle Mafia was assigned to investigate their behaviour. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After the Ottawa Citizen provided Wright with the screenshots of some of the Blue Hackle Mafia material on June 24, military police opened a new investigation. On June 27, Wright spoke with all division commanders about the Blue Hackle Mafia group, reinforcing what he said was 'the Army's commitment to uphold its values and the importance of applying military disciplinary and administrative processes in cases of alleged misconduct.' 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. The reserve unit operates out of the Cartier Square Drill Hall on Queen Elizabeth Driveway. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In his statement sent to army personnel, Wright pointed out that the organization 'will continue to ensure that our culture reflects the values and ethics of the Canadian Armed Forces, and I expect the chain of command across the Canadian Army to deal immediately with any inappropriate behaviour that deviates from those values and ethics.' 'This incident has damaged the reputation of the Canadian Army at a time when we are engaged in important modernization work as part of a ready, resilient, and relevant Canadian Armed Forces,' he added. The Blue Hackle Mafia has operated its Facebook group with around 200 participants since at least 2007. The Ottawa Citizen reported that the soldiers on the Facebook page knew what they were doing was wrong but their focus was on not getting caught. They warned each other not to take photos of the wild antics that were taking place at the Cartier Square Drill Hall. David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: Read More Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA MMA Tennis Toronto Maple Leafs
