Right-wing extremism not welcome in Canadian Armed Forces — but ‘clearly, it’s in here,’ says top soldier

OTTAWA—Canada’s top soldier frankly acknowledges there are members within the Canadian Armed Forces who harbour right-wing extremist and white supremacist beliefs.

It’s obvious Gen. Jonathan Vance has given the issue much thought.

“Clearly it’s in here,” Vance told the Star.

Over a 40-minute interview at National Defence Headquarters, Vance repeatedly stressed that nobody holding extremist beliefs is welcome in the Canadian Forces.

But despite pre-recruitment screening, despite the statements about defence ethics, and despite his vow that extremism will not be tolerated, Vance said it would be “foolish” to suggest right-wing extremists “don’t get in.”

“There’s no question about it that I cannot guarantee they don’t get in,” Vance said.  (more...)

Right-wing extremism not welcome in Canadian Armed Forces — but ‘clearly, it’s in here,’ says top soldier

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As a young reservist, I trained in Petawawa with the Canadian Airborne Regiment. That experience, with many others, have left me reluctant to encourage my son to enroll in Canada's military. If any "values test" should be administered, it should be to Canada's military and police. New immigrants are far less culpable than those privileged to wear our country's uniform.