Ottawa โ Five serving members of the Canadian Army have been suspended after a video emerged that appears to show a group of people making Nazi salutes.
The video was shared with the military by a member of the public. At least seven people appear in the footage. Army officials say five of them have been identified as serving members. The matter was referred to military police, and a unit disciplinary investigation was opened.
Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, called the footage โdeeply disturbingโ and โcompletely unacceptable.โ He said swift action will be taken and that hateful conduct and extremism have no place in the force.
Army statements indicate that the events depicted in the video date back to 2023, but that the members remain subject to administrative and disciplinary action, which could include discharge from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Military observers and legal experts say incidents like this erode public trust in the armed forces and highlight the need for stronger screening and accountability measures. Recent public reporting shows complaints and reports of hateful conduct in the Canadian military have risen after years of decline.
The suspension comes amid a string of widely reported episodes of extremist and antisemitic gestures and speech in Canada this year. Businesses and community groups have publicly condemned similar conduct. In at least one recent case, a company severed ties with a franchisee after a video showed a Nazi salute at an anti-Israel demonstration.
The Canadian Army has not released the names of the suspended members or said whether they are regular force or reserve members. Military police have confirmed they are aware of the matter and are conducting inquiries.
For Jewish and pro-Israel communities, the episode will add to concerns about the persistence of antisemitic symbols and gestures in public life. Community leaders have repeatedly urged swift accountability and stronger measures to protect Jewish Canadians from hate.
This article is based on verified information from The Canadian Press, CTV News, Global News, CBC, and CityNews.