Canadian soldier’s anti-vaccine comments under investigation
The Canadian Forces is investigating after one of its members spoke at an anti-lockdown rally in Toronto on the weekend and called on military personnel to disobey orders to help in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The individual, dressed in a Canadian Forces uniform, was introduced by organizers of the rally as Leslie Kenderesi. The man also wore a military name tag with that same name.
The Department of National Defence confirmed Tuesday that Kenderesi is the individual speaking at the rally and that he is a serving member of the Canadian Forces.
“I'm asking military, right now serving, truck drivers, medical, engineers, whatever you are, do not take this unlawful order (for) the distribution of this vaccine,” Kenderesi said at the rally. A video of his speech was posted on YouTube.
Kenderesi, who had a knife strapped to his uniform and was carrying a helmet, questioned the safety of taking the vaccine.
“I might get in a lot of s— for doing this but I don't care anymore,” he said.
The crowd cheered his speech.
Dan Le Bouthillier, a spokesman for DND, said an investigation has been launched, but no decisions have been made on a course of action.
“We were made aware, on the evening of December 5th that a member of the Cadet Instructors Cadre — which is a subcomponent of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve — participated in a public demonstration in Toronto in his CAF uniform,” said Le Bouthillier. “The individual made comments regarding the CAF's participation in Operation Vector. These comments are not reflective of views of the Government of Canada or Canadian Armed Forces policy.”
Operation Vector is the name for the military's participation in helping distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. Military staff are helping the Public Health Agency of Canada with its vaccine distribution planning.