Military investigating after officer appears in anti-vaccine video

Military investigating after officer appears in anti-vaccine video
eff McIntosh/The Canadian Press. Photo courtesy of CBC

OTTAWA — The Canadian Armed Forces says it is investigating after an officer appeared in a video speaking out against vaccine mandates.

Maj. Stephen Chledowski is the latest serving member of the Canadian military to have spoken out against government-ordered mandates and restrictions intended to curb the spread and severity of COVID-19.

A video of Chledowski in uniform appeared on social media Thursday, as hundreds of anti-vaccine protesters continue to occupy parts of downtown Ottawa and block border crossings in other parts of the country.

It also came as hundreds of serving military personnel face the threat of forced removal from the Armed Forces for refusing to get their shots.

Defence Department spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier confirmed Friday morning that the military was aware of the video and that what he described as “appropriate action” would be taken. Le Bouthillier did not say what that appropriate action might be, including whether criminal charges could be laid.

The military last year charged another officer with mutiny after he allegedly urged other members of the Canadian Armed Forces not to help with the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2022.

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