After a week of controversy surrounding two far-left professors’ survey that considered MAGA hats “extremist”, the Department of National Defence (DND) has stated it has “no stance” on the issue.
Last week, True North reported on the DND’s “effort to root out extremists inside the CAF,” in which they sponsored an optional survey titled Hateful Conduct and Right-Wing Extremism in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Current soldiers who agreed to participate were asked if they have ever purchased “extremism merchandise” such as a “Make Canada Great Again hat.”
Social media users responded with shock at the idea that supporting President-elect Donald Trump constitutes extremism.
The DND subsequently distanced themselves from the survey, saying they merely sponsored it and did not fund it. The DND government website directed potential participants towards the study.
Asked if they support the researchers’ allegation that MAGA or Make Canada Great Again hats are “right-wing extremism,” a DND/CAF media spokesperson, Kened Sadiku, said “DND/CAF is not funding this research, nor has it contracted this research.” Mr. Sadiku added that the DND/CAF “has no stance on the slogans in question.”
However, records show the DND gave the very two University of Ontario Institute of Technology researchers, David Hoffman and Barbara Perry, just under $50,000 in 2020 to “support a survey and analysis of the policies that govern hateful conduct and right-wing extremism in the CAF.”
The DND has not responded to The Counter Signal’s email asking for clarification on the apparent contradiction.
The federal Liberals 2022 budget for Canadian Armed Forces included $100.5 million for “gender identity” culture change and training in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Earlier this year, a picture surfaced on social media showing a ripped down tampon dispenser in a Canadian Air Force men’s bathroom.
What a waste of money by the DND on this pathetic survey.. It could have bought quality equipment to protect our soldiers from real bullets instead of woke words on paper.
My husband is a retired veteran and my son and son in law both currently serve in the CAF. I just purchased all kinds of maple MAGA / Canada Strong merch from the new veteran owned company Maple MAGA shop and I can’t wait until it comes so I can wear it & display the messages proudly. The top brass of the Canadian Armed Forces should be ashamed of themselves for the steps they have taken to weaken our military! Our troops are unprepared for combat and the leadership & Government don’t seem to care about our men and woman in uniform. They are spending more money on tampons than bullets, it is ridiculous!
We love our country but I guess according to this survey, they view people like us as the problem. Just Shameful!