Canadian Armed Forces started an investigation.
By Sreekanth A Nair
The newly appointed Sikh defense minister of Canada, Harjit Sajjan, has allegedly faced racial remarks by an army officer on social media.
A non-commissioned officer from the Canadian Forces Base at Valcartier near Quebec City reportedly put a racist remark against Sajjan on Facebook on November 5, just one day after he was sworn in as the defense minister. The comment was about Sajjan’s ethnic background.
Canadian Armed Forces have started an investigation regarding the issue. However the comment, which was written in French, was removed later on.
According to The Globe and Mail, Forces spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said, “We are very much aware of an incident in which a Canadian Armed Forces member wrote inappropriate comments on social media about the new Minister of National Defence. Racist attitudes are not compatible with military ethos and with effective military service. Any conduct that reflects such attitudes will not be tolerated”.
The report said Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West has sent an e-mail to soldiers warning against such conduct.
“He lamented the fact a high-ranking member of the Forces made “negative” comments about the minister and warned them against disrespectful behavior, adding that to say he is angry would be an understatement,” the report says.
42-year-old Sajjan was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and a combat veteran. He has served in Bosnia and Afghanistan and was elected from Vancouver South.
Earlier, Sajjan worked in the Vancouver Police Department for 11 years and served as a detective for the gang crime unit.
He has received many military awards including Meritorious Service Medal in 2013 for his efforts in tackling the Taliban in Afghanistan. He is also a recipient of the Order of Military Merit, one of the military’s highest recognitions.
Sajjan also served as an Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
1 Comment
There is always one red neck! Fire him.