Shameful display, ugly ‘Chauvinism’ at Canada Day event in Halifax

Our armed forces and country are better than what was seen on July 1

There was nothing to be proud of when five men from the armed forces, whose purpose is to resolve and stabilize conflict, disrupted a spiritual event in Halifax on Canada Day to honour the suffering of indigenous peoples.

It was a shameful episode that also betrays our hard-working military. Canada’s top general has rightly condemned the actions, which took place at the site of a statue of Halifax’s controversial founder, Edward Cornwallis. The men, who proclaimed themselves members of Proud Boys, a self-declared group of “Western Chauvinists,” have been suspended from their duties.

Canada’s chief of defence staff said the five who interfered with the Mi’kmaq ceremony face an internal investigation that could see their military careers end.

“What happened in Halifax over the weekend is deplorable and Canadians should rest assured my senior leadership is seized of the matter,” General Jonathan Vance said Tuesday. “I detest any action by a Canadian Armed Forces member that is intended to show disrespect towards the very people and cultures we value in Canada. We are the nation’s protectors and any member of the Canadian Armed Forces who is not prepared to be the defender we need them to be will face severe consequences, including release from the Forces.”

It was not the kind of incident the forces, which have struggled with issues of misogyny and harassment in the workplace, needed or wanted to be associated with.

The commander of Canada’s East Coast Navy confirmed the group included members of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and a cadet organization.

Rear Admiral John Newton told reporters in Halifax: “I told the young people they had crossed a line where their personal beliefs, their personal ideology — which they are allowed to have — got into the public domain” and added, “Their personal beliefs, whether religious, political or white supremacy, whatever the Proud Boys represent, it’s not a shared value of the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Admiral Newton said he received complaints from Aboriginal friends and there was a “considerable outcry” from serving members of the Forces. ”I apologize for the actions of my young sailors, and . . . I hope that those young people will find a moment to make their own apologies in due course.” Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said there will be consequences for military personnel who “express intolerance while in or out of uniform.”

The strong response by senior military leaders is commendable. Our armed forces and our country are better than (Canada Day’s) ugly show of disrespect and chauvinism.

“It was not the kind of incident the forces, which have struggled with issues of misogyny and harassment in the workplace, needed or wanted to be associated with.”