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.