The Canadian Forces has launched its investigation into Maj. Stephen Chledowski, based at CFB Gagetown, for a seven-minute-long video describing government actions throughout the pandemic as “tyranny” while likening the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to “genocide.”
Since the investigation began, ten more military members have found themselves in trouble.
The Canadian Forces are now investigating nine individuals who have voiced their support for the “Freedom Convoy” and those who have shared anti-government and anti-vaccination messages on social media.
Two members are being investigated by military police for their alleged involvement in supporting anti-vaccination sentiments and anti-government convoy protesters.
Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier has not provided details on police investigations as of yet.
One member of the Royal Canadian Air Force posted a video on Twitter in support of the protesters who are occupying Ottawa. Riley MacPherson appeared in a Canadian Forces uniform, in front of a Canadian flag, and identified himself as a member of the military.
Members of the Canadian Forces are told explicitly that they must remain impartial when dealing with the public and are not permitted to express their personal political views while in uniform.
Along with MacPherson, the remaining members’ investigations will be completed at the unit level. Disciplinary action could result in removal from the military.
In a press release, Le Bouthillier said, “Members of the CAF must remain impartial when communicating publicly and are not permitted to express their personal views when in uniform.”
“Any member of the armed forces who brings discredit to the CAF through either conduct or performance deficiencies, be it through actions or words, will be held accountable,” Le Bouthillier said.
The Department of National Defence reported that 58 Canadian Armed Forces members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine have been removed from the military. Notification of intent to release has been sent out to 246 serving members who have yet to be fully vaccinated.
66 unvaccinated members left voluntarily.
Chief of the defence staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre, has ordered all military personnel to be fully vaccinated by mid-December 2022 at the latest.
As of February 14, 2022, there are 222 current active cases and 5867 total positive cases of COVID-19 within the Canadian Forces since the beginning of the pandemic.