The military disciplined soldiers for voicing concerns about an order to monitor Canadians’ online behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, as per CBC News findings. However, the military’s chief legal officer later cautioned against the risks associated with such monitoring, and an internal review determined that it violated regulations.
In March 2020, the Canadian Armed Forces assigned a team to establish anonymous social media accounts to scour the internet and compile daily reports for military officials regarding the COVID-19 situation in Canada, political discussions, and any misinformation related to the pandemic. Some team members objected to the directive, citing potential breaches of intelligence-gathering protocols while working remotely on personal computers and networks.
After a military member expressed concerns via email on March 12, 2020, Major John Zwicewicz at Canadian Joint Operations Command stated that a legal advisor had approved the activities. The group was instructed to cease questioning the orders and continue their tasks, leading to reprimands over a week later. Col. Chris Henderson oversaw the team at the time, with some members reportedly resigning or being medically discharged in subsequent months.
A subsequent internal investigation revealed that the team at Canadian Joint Operations Command had indeed violated intelligence-gathering rules by utilizing personal computers and home networks to collect data on Canadians. The military sought to enhance its information operations capabilities during the pandemic, with senior leaders viewing it as an opportunity to test new propaganda tactics and prevent civil unrest.
Retired General Jonathan Vance, the then chief of the defense staff, terminated the campaign in April 2020, acknowledging its overreach and negative impact on public trust in the Forces. Despite this, certain unauthorized activities persisted for several months. An internal timeline indicated that the Joint Operational Effects team had been instructed to create anonymous social media accounts to gather information before Vance’s intervention.
The military’s top legal officer, Commodore Geneviève Bernatchez, flagged legal risks associated with the information operations plans in Canada. Bernatchez cautioned that while it was legal to conduct such activities, there was a potential for encroaching into intelligence collection territory. She highlighted the sensitivity of intelligence gathering on Canadian citizens and the need to adhere to domestic laws and citizens’ rights.
The Department of National Defence (DND) refrained from commenting on legal advice or revealing any administrative actions taken against members due to privacy regulations. DND emphasized its commitment to rebuilding public trust and implementing measures to prevent future breaches of intelligence-gathering rules. Additional guidance and oversight protocols were implemented to ensure compliance with established regulations.