Apprehended Insurrection

"They took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival, and navigation exercises. They also conducted a scouting operation."

"A variety of firearms, some prohibited, as well as high-capacity magazines and tactical equipment were allegedly used in these activities."

Royal Canadian Mounted Police statement

 

"The main point of the ideology was that they're anti-government, anti-authority."

"Quite often that will be mixed with racism, misogyny, and then personal grievances. And there's nihilism that we're seeing now ... violence becomes the ideology so some people mix that up and then create whatever ideology they want."

"It's a major issue. It's really a society problem, not just a police issue."

"The recruiting is done quite often online. So, then, who's online the most is our young teenagers and children, so it's something that is worrisome."

"Also and then we saw with these guys, they also did a lot of recruiting with their Instagram account."

RCMP Staff Sgt. Camille Habel 

Military-style training in which the accused took part.   RCMP

 

Four people are facing terrorism charges in Quebec for their alleged actions plotting an anti-government militia; among them are active members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Three of the four stand accused of taking "concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity", including a plot "to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area". The land in question was ostensibly required as property that could be utilized as a base where they could plan to build and train their group.

 

The RCMP investigation was launched in March of 2023, although the group had been active back to 2021. Three arrested young men face a charge of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity. If convicted they stand a chance of being awarded a charge of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity, with a minimum sentence of 14 years in prison. Charges are inclusive of possession of firearms, prohibited devices and explosives and possession of controlled items. Heavily armed members of police emergency response teams arrested the men on Tuesday.

 

Searches throughout the course of a year for what the RCMP considers a case of ideologically motivated violent extremism, included searches in the Quebec City area where 15 explosive devices, 83 firearms and accessories, about 11,000 rounds of ammunition, close to 130 magazines, four pairs of night vision goggles, and military equipment were seized, according to the RCMP. The military equipment, though not expressly stated, would have been purloined over time from Canadian Armed Forces stock. Presumably the missing equipment would have sparked an investigation, leading to suspicion of Armed Forces members. 

Numerous firearms were seized by police officers during searches in January 2024.   RCMP

 

Military-style rifles were also among the weapons seized by the RCMP. Photographs used as evidence by the RCMP show a small group of people dressed in military camouflage armed with rifles in a training exercise staged in a rock quarry. An Instagram account was created and administered by one of the accused with the purpose of recruiting new members to their militia. The Instagram account is being dismantled: "It was used for the members to promote training sessions and exercises and they were having these exercises in different regions in Quebec and Ontario. And we know also that the online group was really aimed at recruiting individuals that already had an interest in or knowledge of firearms", explained St. Habel.

 

Additional charges against the group accused include the possession of prohibited devices, transfer of firearms and ammunition, careless storage of firearms, possession of explosives and possession of controlled items.The Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), formed to fight domestic extremism and terrorism led the investigation. Canada's natural security and intelligence community has its focus on xenophobic violence, gender-driven violence, and other grievance-driven and ideologically motivated violence. 

"Given the kinds of materials seized, including explosives, it would appear to have been a very serious plot that was pre-empted. The authorities will try to determine whether the individuals charged had connections with others in Canada, had any cross-border connections with far-right groups in the U.S., and the nature of their social media interactions, including sources of inspiration."

"The plot sounds to me like it might have been inspired by the activities of U.S. militia groups. Frightening to see such a thing manifest itself in Canada. It shows that the military has a lot to do to root out potential extremists in their midst."

Wesley Wark, intelligence specialist/national security issues, senior fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation 

One of the accused allegedly created and administered an Instagram account with the aim of recruiting new members to the anti-government militia.  RCMP

 

"The fact that we could charge [them] with facilitating a terrorist activity, it means that people were actually preparing, were taking actions that led us to believe they wanted to actually achieve something and wanted to commit this violent terrorist act. Of course, it was very serious and dangerous."

"We don’t know exactly what could have been done, but when someone is at the point of wanting to seize property, then the plan is really ongoing and we needed to make the arrest and ensure public safety and make sure the plan was stopped and everyone was secure."

Staff Sgt. Camille Habel of the RCMP national security team in Quebec 

Court Martials? in Recognition of Insubordinate Dishonourable Conduct

Court Martials? in Recognition of Insubordinate Dishonourable Conduct

"I can share that I am disgusted by the content of some of the posts published on this group."

"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."

"[The Blue Hackle Mafia Facebook group features] abhorrent racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images."

"I have ordered that any serving Canadian Army members currently on this social media group immediately cease their participation."

"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." 

Canadian Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright

The Canadian Armed Forces has been mired over the last decade in charges of sexual assault, harassment, racism and  homophobia. Now comes more recent news of a group known as the Blue Hackle Mafia comprised of soldiers from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (a reserve unit operating out of the Cartier Square Drill Hall) operating a private Facebook account where photos are posted of themselves in uniform exposing their genitals and expressing antisemitic, misogynistic, homophobic and racist comments. 

 

The Canadian Army is investigating a Facebook group operated by soldiers of an Ottawa military unit. Photo by Facebook/Blue Hackle Mafia

 

The Facebook page has been in operation for the past 14 years, and boasts around 200 participants. Some images show male soldiers in uniform exposing their genitals, others posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons or simulating sex acts with one another while in uniform. Some photographs were taken at military installations. Derogatory sexual comments were posted of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Discussions took place among the men relating to raping grandmothers. This bespeaks a calibre of individuals whose values and morals bring infamy to the Canadian Forces. 

 

But then, why should enlisted men be of superior intelligence, and moral uprightness when their leaders appear to lack these virtues? Take for example, the instances of the very top soldiers in the Canadian military and revelations of their personal code of conduct that were displayed in full shameful measure several years ago. Aside from the humiliation visited upon them by such disclosures in the public arena, none among them appear to have suffered punishment commensurate with their dishonourable acts...  And it appears that the military attracts more numbers than might be imagined of personnel who bring shame to civilized society. 

"Since early February 2021, 13 senior Canadian military officers — current and former — have been sidelined, investigated or forced into retirement from some of the most powerful and prestigious posts in the defence establishment."

"Experts say they can't think of another military anywhere else in the world that has seen so many senior leaders swept up in scandal at the same time."

"Some senior leaders are facing allegations of sexual misconduct and are under military police investigation. Two people have been charged criminally in connection to the claims. Some have launched public campaigns to fight for their jobs back." 

"In other cases, military leaders have been placed on leave over their own handling of sexual misconduct files that triggered public backlash and division in the ranks."

"The investigations often came to light publicly only after journalists started asking questions of the Department of National Defence (DND)."

"DND says military police do not "proactively disclose the existence of ongoing investigations" because it could jeopardize the integrity of those investigations. Investigations are confirmed publicly on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the investigation, privacy rights and the public's right to know, the department said."

CBC News -- October 3, 2023 

Former chief of the defence staff and retired general Jonathan Vance (left), his successor as chief of the defence staff Admiral Art McDonald (middle), and Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson, the military's former commander in charge of military human resources (right). (CBC)

 

Retired general Jonathan Vance — Canada's former top military commander —  conceded as part of the guilty plea that he had a longtime sexual relationship with Maj. Kellie Brennan which continued while he was chief of defence staff. Vance also conceded that he has a child with Brennan.

Vance's successor as chief of the defence staff, Admiral Art McDonald, was terminated from his position in Nov. 2021, after almost nine months on leave with pay in connection with sexual misconduct allegations.

Former lieutenant-general (now retired) Christopher Coates — Canada's former top commander at NORAD — was investigated by military police for several months over an alleged extramarital affair.

It was alleged that Coates had an affair with an American civilian while he was second-in-command at NORAD headquarters in Colorado. The Canadian Armed Forces considers relationships within the chain of the command to be off-limits. 

 

Military personnel in one posting discuss getting together for drinks at an Ottawa bar: "All welcome (except the Jews of course)." Screen shots of some postings were provided by an investigative reporter, David Pugliese, at the Ottawa Citizen newspaper to Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright who confirmed that an investigation into the social media group has been underway since December. The investigation, still ongoing, could not be elaborated upon, according to Lt.-Gen. Wright. Perhaps not astonishingly, some of those depicted in the images are of the unit's officers.

 

The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa serve as the official regiment of the city of Ottawa, tasked, as required, to provide ceremonial guards of honour for visiting dignitaries and for national ceremonies and events. The scandals in the Canadian Forces of sexual misconduct and activities bringing shame to the Canadian military gave way to reports and enquiries conducted by Supreme Court justices. The public shame and controversy prompted the military to pledge to work to resolve the issue, particularly after a number of elite military officers faced charges or court proceedings for sexual misconduct or assault. 

 

Despite which in the interim when news reports of sexual abuse in the military died down after the initial scandal-driven investigation and reports, the leadership of the Canadian Forces appeared to feel that sexual misconduct scandals could be laid to rest; the public eye no longer upon them and news media reporting decreased. Legal cases have ended, some senior officers magnanimously found not guilty.  

 

The Canadian Army is investigating a Facebook group operated by soldiers of an Ottawa military unit. Photo by Facebook/Blue Hackle Mafia

 

 

 

 

"Who Knows What They are Going to Demand From Us?"

"The Long-Range Precision Strike [Land] project will significantly enhance Canada's defence capabilities, both domestically and abroad."

"This project is progressing well and we are expecting to share additional details in the coming months."

"[Procurement decisions in Canada are based on national security priorities; the federal government is] closely monitoring the trade situation in the U.S., and assessing potential impacts to existing projects."

Department of National Defence spokesperson Kened Sadiku

Canada's military leadership is pushing for a sole source deal for the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS. Photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara U. /24TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT

 

Remarkably, if not damningly, military leadership in Canada seems content to push forward with another sole source agreement for American military equipment in the face of President Donald Trump's relentless drive to destroy any semblance of historical friendliness between Canada and the U.S., vowing to move on with his punishing trade tariffs and continuing his harassment threatening Canadian sovereignty. Unsurprisingly, Canadians are acutely disinterested in becoming their neighbour's 51st state, and nor are they impressed that their erstwhile friendly neighbour has set out to drain Canada's economy through hostile actions. 

In the face of this disruptive tension, the Canadian Armed Forces is leading a move to have the Liberal government purchase the American-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). HIMARS has been in use in combat by the Ukraine military against Russian forces. Once President Trump entered office, he took steps to reduce the weapon system's effectiveness through limiting the flow of data and intelligence required for its critical operations. Effectively leaving the Ukrainian military high and dry with a high-powered system whose software effectiveness and intelligence-sharing has been deliberately tampered with.

 

The Canadian Forces' senior leadership plan is for the purchase of a number of HIMARS built by Lockheed Martin through a sole source deal handled through a foreign Military Sale where Canada would receive the equipment from the U.S. government directly. Department of National Defence spokesperson Kened Sadiku, asked why a HIMARS purchase would even be considered under current hostile circumstances between Canada and the U.S. where the latter has imposed staggering tariffs and sovereignty threats on the former, delivered a verbal shrug in response.

 

Canada’s military leadership is pushing for a sole source deal for the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS. Photo by Sgt. Adam L. Mathis U.S. Depar /U.S. ARMY

The equipment acquisition could come to about $5 billion with the project involving purchasing launchers, fire control software, munitions and spare parts. The proposed acquisition along with other recent Canadian defence purchases has caused consternation among Canadian industry officials and military analysts. According to one official in the defence industry, the Canadian military leadership is "tone deaf" to the threat the Americans under this new administration poses to the country. 

Assuming a scenario where the U.S. controls most of the technology on its equipment, the Canadian Forces faces a dilemma. With full control over software and hardware upgrades on Canada's $19-billon fleet of F-35 fighter jets on order, the aircraft being built by Lockheed Martin in the U.S. has prompted defence industry officials to warn that with the U.S. controlling many of the key systems on board Canada's new warships, as with the aircraft, the U.S. has the potential to hold Canada hostage over future upgrades or spare parts.

 

Those legitimate concerns aside, pressure from the U.S. has led the Liberal government and Canada's military to double down on ordering American-supplied equipment. 2023 saw close to $30 billion spent in new military systems, most of which were from U.S. firms exclusively, including an $8 billion sole-source deal with Boeing for new surveillance aircraft. That, despite that Liberal cabinet ministers had previously claimed Boeing was not an trustful industrial partner.  

In the hope that the deals could serve to placate American politicians who had raised concerns that Canada was failing to spend enough on defence, this was the chosen route, which in the final analysis did nothing to alter the criticism. The push by the Canadian Forces to acquire American has, in addition, provided little benefit for domestic firms. Much of the sentiment behind these self-defeating procurement efforts can be ascribed to the closeness of the Canadian military leadership to their American counterparts plus its reluctance to shift focus from America's protective shield.

"This is what happens when you exclude Canadian companies: You find yourself potentially being held hostage." 

"We don’t control the [combat management] system; the Americans do."
"Who knows what they are going to demand from us?"

Alan Williams, former procurement chief, Department of National Defence

An artist's rendering of the Canadian Surface Combatant. Photo by Government of Canada /HANDOUT