Muhammad Aman Ullah
Published: September 2, 2026
The True Post (News)
Canada’s military chief, General Jennie Carignan, has said two Canadian Armed Forces cadet members targeted in a social media post by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will have the choice of deciding whether they want to respond.
The controversy began after Hegseth shared a photograph on X featuring two young women in uniform at a cadet training centre in Vernon, British Columbia. The post triggered widespread criticism after social media users made mocking and derogatory comments about the appearance of the cadets.
Canadian Military Offering Full Support
General Jennie Carignan said the Canadian Armed Forces is providing support to the two affected members and consulting with them about how they want to deal with the situation.
Speaking during a meeting of defence chiefs in Victoria, British Columbia, Carignan said the military regularly provides assistance to its personnel following incidents that may affect them.
She emphasized that the focus at this stage is on supporting the individuals involved.
Cadets Given Choice Over Response
Carignan said the affected cadet and instructor will be allowed to decide for themselves whether they want to publicly respond to Hegseth’s post.
The Canadian military, she said, will respect whatever decision the individuals make while continuing to provide them with the necessary support.
Carignan also said she had not specifically discussed the matter with U.S. military officials and had not asked for an apology.
Controversial Social Media Post
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a photograph on X from a cadet training centre in Vernon, British Columbia.
The photograph showed two young women wearing uniforms, alongside a Canadian flag and the words “This is real.”
The post quickly attracted attention online, with some social media users making insulting and mocking comments about the physical appearance of the people shown in the photograph.
Many Canadians, however, strongly criticized the post and accused Hegseth of unnecessarily targeting young cadets.
Canadian Army Cadet League Condemns Online Harassment
The Army Cadet League of Canada also condemned the online harassment and derogatory comments directed at the young cadets.
The organization said such comments are unacceptable, particularly when directed at young people who are working to develop their skills and contribute to their communities.
The league said it stands firmly with cadets, adult staff, volunteers and officers who dedicate their time to strengthening communities and helping develop the next generation of Canadian leaders.
National Cadet Program
Canada’s national cadet program is designed for young people between the ages of 12 and 18.
The Canadian government says the program gives young people opportunities to develop practical skills, gain knowledge and build confidence that can help them as they move into adulthood.
The program also encourages leadership, teamwork, community involvement and personal development.
It remains unclear how the photograph originally posted by the cadet training program’s social media account came to the attention of Hegseth.
Pentagon Responds
Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sean Parnell was also questioned about the controversy.
However, the Pentagon provided a brief response, saying that Hegseth’s post on X speaks for itself.
The Pentagon did not clarify how the U.S. Secretary of War obtained information about the Canadian cadet program or why the photograph was shared.
Mark Carney Criticizes Hegseth
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also criticized Hegseth’s post, saying that such behaviour was not appropriate for someone holding a senior U.S. government position.
Carney argued that discussions between Canada and the United States would be more productive if officials focused on serious negotiations rather than sarcastic messages, memes and attempts to mock others.
His comments came amid broader political, trade and defence tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
B.C. Premier Calls Controversy Shameful
British Columbia Premier David Eby also criticized Hegseth’s post and the Pentagon’s response to the controversy.
Eby described the episode as shameful and stressed the importance of military cooperation between Canada, the United States and their allies.
He said defence cooperation is particularly important at a time of growing instability and uncertainty around the world.
U.S. Senator Also Criticizes Hegseth
Democratic U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a former U.S. Marine, also strongly criticized Hegseth’s post.
Gallego described it as foolish and deeply disrespectful to Canadian men and women who have served and sacrificed alongside Americans during military conflicts.
His criticism highlighted the sensitivity of the issue within the broader military relationship between Canada and the United States.
Broader Canada-U.S. Tensions
The controversy comes at a time when Canada and the United States are already dealing with disagreements over several political, trade and defence issues.
Despite those tensions, both countries continue to emphasize the importance of cooperation between their armed forces and maintaining close ties between the two allies.
For the Canadian military, General Carignan’s comments indicate that the immediate priority is supporting the affected cadet and instructor while allowing them to decide whether they want to respond publicly.
The incident has also renewed discussion about the responsibilities of senior public officials when posting about military personnel and young people on social media.
