The Canadian military has observed a notable increase in reports of hateful behavior and racism over the past year, marking a reversal from previous years of decline, as revealed by data obtained by CBC News. This surge in incidents coincides with a resurgence of extremism and inappropriate behavior allegations within the armed forces.
Experts specializing in far-right extremism find the timing of this trend reversal significant, linking it to the political and social upheavals following the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president in 2024. Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright, the Canadian Army commander, expressed disappointment at the negative impact of these incidents on the military’s reputation.
Data from the Hateful Conduct Incident Tracking System (HCITS) shows a substantial increase in reported incidents, with 54 cases in 2024, nearly double the number from the previous year. The HCITS has documented a total of 364 instances of hateful conduct since 2020, with rises seen across various categories such as hate speech and threats.
Analysts suggest that external factors, including political events in the U.S., may be contributing to this troubling trend. Andy Knight, a political scientist, points to the influence of Donald Trump’s presidency in emboldening individuals propagating anti-democratic rhetoric and targeting minority groups.
The military’s ongoing efforts to combat hateful behavior and misconduct have faced internal challenges, with resistance to cultural reforms potentially fueling extremist ideologies. Instances of soldiers failing to report or address inappropriate conduct have raised concerns among military leadership.
Recent incidents, including a terrorism case involving serving soldiers in Quebec and investigations into online hate speech by military personnel, underscore the persistent issue of extremism within the Canadian Armed Forces. Despite measures introduced to address such behavior, there is a call for enhanced collaboration with civilian authorities and improved vigilance in identifying extremist elements within the military ranks.