The Department of National Defence is investigating after a member of the Canadian Armed Forces allegedly made discriminatory comments on social media about Harjit Sajjan, Canada’s newly appointed minister of defence.
In a statement emailed to CTV News, a DND spokesperson said an “incident” is currently under investigation by the individual’s Chain of Command.
The brief statement did not provide further details, but said that “racism, or any form of discrimination or harassment, is not tolerated in the Canadian Forces.”
The individual was not identified, nor was his or her specific role in the military.
CTV News’ Mercedes Stephenson reports that a comment described as racist was posted on Facebook by a senior non-commissioned officer at CFB Valcartier in Quebec.
The post has since been taken down, and a letter has been sent out to senior non-commissioned officers as well as soldiers in the military, saying this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated.
Born in India, Sajjan immigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old.
A former police detective and highly decorated lieutenant-colonel, Sajjan served three tours with the CAF in Afghanistan, and one in Bosnia.
He was the first Canadian Sikh to command a Canadian military regiment.
