Military police say they have reopened an investigation into a Facebook group behind what the army's commander calls 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images.'Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Military police have reopened their investigation into a private Facebook group where soldiers are alleged to have posted racist comments and sexual images, after initially determining the unit involved should investigate.
The Commander of the Canadian Army said a report about the group went to the chain of command in December, but he was personally made aware of its existence only last week.
The “Blue Hackle Mafia” private social media group involved “members of the Canadian Army that featured abhorrent racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and antisemitic comments and images,“ Lieutenant-General Michael Wright said in a statement Friday, adding he was ”disgusted” by some of the content.
“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.”
In its own statement, the Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal said the Ottawa military police was initially charged with investigating complaints about the group.
Then, the investigation was moved to the unit that the soldiers allegedly in the Facebook group were believed to be in.
“The transfer to the unit for a disciplinary investigation was considered the best use of options available in the military justice system, in this case,” the office said.
It is not clear what the outcome of the unit’s investigation was, if any. The Defence Department did not reply to follow-up questions from The Globe and Mail.
“On June 27, 2025 the MP reopened an investigation into this matter,” the provost marshal’s office said, without explaining what prompted the new investigation.
Whether military units should investigate their own in cases of sexual misconduct, racism or harassment is a long-standing pressure point for the Forces.
The 2022 Arbour report recommended that sexual misconduct in particular be dealt with by the civilian justice system. An advisory panel on racism in the military found that same year that soldiers are unclear about how the Forces should deal with members promoting hate.
Mr. Wright said he has ordered any serving Army members in the Facebook group to cease their participation.
Defence Minister David McGuinty told The Globe and Mail in a statement the soldiers’ behaviour is unacceptable and any member involved “should expect to face administrative and/or disciplinary consequences.”
The Defence Department did not identify the unit under scrutiny. The Globe confirmed it is the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a prestigious reserve unit that plays a major role in ceremonial events in the nation’s capital.
“While this group is not officially connected to the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, the actions of those involved do not reflect the values, ethos, or professionalism that define us as a regiment,” read portions of an e-mail sent by the unit’s commanding officer and seen by The Globe on Friday.
“The chain of command is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. Investigations are nearing completion, and those responsible will be held accountable. Such behaviour represents a fundamental departure from the standards we are sworn to uphold and undermines the trust and confidence placed in us by the public.”
The Ottawa Citizen reported some of the images show male soldiers posing naked with Canadian Forces weapons. Some photos were taken at military installations. There are also derogatory sexual comments posted about former prime minister Justin Trudeau, and posts disparaging both Jews and Muslims.
The Citizen also reported that some of the people depicted in the images are officers in the unit. The Globe has not seen the images in question.
Ottawa businesswoman Barbara Farber, the honorary colonel for the Highlanders, called the posts “disgusting,” but said it is not behaviour she has seen on display personally in her six years in her position.
“This unfortunate situation will be dealt with immediately,” she told The Globe in an e-mail.