By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Canadian Army is currently investigating an incident involving Quebec-based soldiers who were allegedly caught on video performing Nazi salutes during a party, with at least five individuals identified as serving members. The military police have been notified and the soldiers have been suspended from their duties. This incident is the latest in a string of events, including a recent terrorism case involving four individuals accused of extremist plots and the alleged posting of hateful content by members of a Facebook group. The Canadian Army has implemented new policies and a registry to track incidents of hateful conduct, however, recent reports indicate these incidents may be on the rise again, mirroring a broader societal trend.
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5 Canadian soldiers suspended after Nazi salute video emerges, and honestly, it’s just appalling. Doing a Nazi salute under any circumstances is abhorrent, but especially for members of the armed forces. These are people who, in theory, are upholding the values of our country. The fact that these individuals were caught on video, in what looks to be a Nazi salute, is a massive insult to every Canadian soldier who fought and died in World War II to stop this very ideology. It’s beyond disrespectful, it’s a betrayal of everything those brave Canadians stood for.
This incident is an embarrassment, and frankly, it’s not surprising that it’s causing such a strong reaction. You see, Canada, like any other country, has a mix of people. We have good people, bad people, and, yes, a fair share of, well, let’s just call them “idiots.” The comments online certainly reflect this range of opinions. Many folks are rightfully calling for swift and serious consequences, and suspension just doesn’t seem like enough. People are talking about dishonorable discharges, court-martials, and other measures. They want these soldiers held accountable.
The reaction to the incident, including the calls for their removal from the military, feels like the appropriate response. The Canadian military is meant to defend our country and its values, not to harbor people who align themselves with hate groups. To think that someone could potentially be in the military, a place dedicated to fighting the very ideology these symbols represent, is disturbing. There’s a real sense of betrayal and disgust towards these soldiers, and it’s easy to understand why.
The discussions have extended to considering what the right course of action should be. Dismissal with disgrace appears to be the only fitting response. A lot of people are angry, and they are sharing that anger across the internet, and they are right to be. The sentiment is overwhelmingly against tolerating such behavior. This should have been an instant discharge without question. There is no room for this type of behavior within the Canadian military.
Sadly, this incident isn’t an isolated event. One commenter mentioned knowing people in the Canadian forces who openly identify as neo-Nazis, even going as far as to have rooms dedicated to Nazi memorabilia. It’s concerning that this kind of behavior is tolerated, or perhaps not dealt with decisively enough, within the military. This speaks to a larger issue that we should all be paying attention to.
In addition to the comments reflecting this broader issue, the conversation also touches on how it would have been handled in other countries. In the U.S., a Nazi salute in the military could even lead to a promotion in the U.S. right now, which is a terrifying thought, and a reminder of the different perspectives on the same issue. Some expressed the wish that the U.S. military could be like Canada in this regard.
There is a sobering discussion about the presence of right-wing extremists within the military. It is important to recognize that these are fully developed Western nations, and we are also recognizing that social media may be contributing to a perception that certain ideas are more common than they actually are. It does, however, prompt questions about how such ideologies find a foothold in our armed forces. There are some worrying signs that suggest this may be a bigger problem than we might like to admit.
This brings up the question of why people want to join groups whose main goal is to eliminate people who are not like them. There’s also a lot of anger about the recent incident in Canada’s parliament that involved a person who served in the Nazi regime. The fact that this person was honored in any way is another kick in the gut for those who fought against Nazism. The difference between that situation and this one is, in reality, pretty simple: a Nazi salute is an active demonstration of hate.
Ultimately, this whole situation highlights the importance of accountability and maintaining the values that we claim to uphold as a nation. It’s a good thing that these soldiers were suspended, but the overwhelming sentiment is that much more needs to be done. We need to send a clear message that hate has no place in our military, or in our society.