In a troubling development that has sent shockwaves through Canada’s armed forces, military police have launched an investigation into a Facebook page allegedly populated by Canadian Forces members that contains disturbing content including racist, misogynistic, and violent rhetoric. The page, which has operated largely under the radar until now, contains posts that experts describe as “deeply concerning” and potentially indicative of broader cultural issues within military ranks.
The investigation began after whistleblowers within the military forwarded screenshots of the private Facebook group to senior leadership and media outlets. According to sources familiar with the matter, the page has accumulated hundreds of members, many using pseudonyms but some apparently posting under their real identities.
“The content we’ve reviewed represents a clear violation of Canadian Forces’ code of conduct and values,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Marie Deschamps, spokesperson for the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. “We are taking these allegations extremely seriously and will pursue this investigation with the utmost thoroughness.”
The Facebook group, reportedly named “True North Warriors,” contained posts mocking racial minorities, degrading women in uniform, and in some cases, advocating violence against civilians of specific ethnic backgrounds. Several posts appeared to celebrate historical incidents of colonial violence against Indigenous peoples, while others contained explicit threats against serving members who had reported misconduct.
Defence Minister Anita Anand condemned the page in a statement released Thursday: “The Canadian Armed Forces must reflect the best of our country’s values. Hatred, discrimination, and incitement have absolutely no place in our military. Those responsible will be held accountable.”
Military sociologist Dr. Rima Berns-McGown, who has studied extremism in armed forces, told CO24 News that such online spaces often reflect deeper institutional problems.
“These aren’t just isolated bad apples. When we see organized groups forming around hateful ideologies within military contexts, it signals potential systemic issues that require comprehensive intervention,” she explained. “The military has struggled with inclusion and diversity for decades, and these platforms can become echo chambers that normalize extreme views.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Canadian Armed Forces, which has faced a series of high-profile misconduct cases involving senior leadership in recent years. Just last month, the government released its progress report on implementing recommendations from a landmark study on harassment in the military.
Captain James Wilkins, who serves on the CAF Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination, told CO24 Politics that the investigation represents both a challenge and opportunity.
“While discovering this kind of content is disheartening, addressing it openly demonstrates the military’s commitment to change,” Wilkins said. “The real measure will be not just in disciplining individuals involved, but in examining how these attitudes were allowed to flourish in the first place.”
Digital forensics experts have been called in to identify participants, particularly those who may have used fake profiles. Under the National Defence Act, military members found participating in hate speech or conduct unbecoming could face severe disciplinary measures, including dismissal from service and potential criminal charges.
Military analysts note that armed forces worldwide have grappled with similar issues as social media has created spaces where personnel can express views that would be unacceptable in official military environments. The investigation comes as Canada’s national security agencies have increasingly focused on the threat of ideological extremism within institutions.
As this investigation unfolds, the central question remains: Is this Facebook group an aberration or a symptom of deeper cultural issues within Canada’s military ranks that have yet to be adequately addressed?
