CORRECTION: Canadian Special Operations Forces Command issues values statement after alleged participation by members

Correction: The headline for an earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were being let go due to allegations of the truck convoy participation in Ottawa. This error has since been corrected.

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The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) says it does not condone its members supporting or actively taking part in causes that jeopardize the “apolitical imperative” associated with its functions.

The statement, issued on Sunday, February 13, was issued after CANSOFCOM was recently made aware of allegations against at least three members who have been — in some form or another —supporting the truck convoy protest in Ottawa.

“I expect our members to act in ways that demonstrate Canadian Armed Forces values and ethics, and to uphold them both on and off duty,”  Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, commander of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, said in a statement. “This has been clearly communicated to our members through the CANSOFCOM chain of command.”

“If the allegations are accurate, this is wrong and it goes against CAF values and ethics.”

He goes on to describe the three incidences that are being looked into:

The first allegedly happened on February 1. CANSOFCOM senior leadership was made aware of a case allegedly involving a member. The member is already in the process of being released from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

That said, a unit disciplinary investigation was launched by the chain of command.

Then on February 10, CANSOFCOM was made aware of another incident allegedly involving two other individuals.

One of the alleged members, who is from CANSOFCOM, is also in the process of being released from the CAF.

Regardless, on February 10, Boivin said he ordered that an investigation be initiated.

“The other member in question is not a CANSOFCOM member. We have therefore notified that individual’s leadership so that it may proceed accordingly,” Boivin said. “If there are any other allegations attributed to our members, the chain of command will investigate each case and take appropriate decisions/actions.”

Boivin goes on to say, “Leadership and culture are and have always been critical aspects of focus for all members of CANSOFCOM and we are committed to a professional, effective and ethical force that can make all Canadians proud.”