'Below the dignity of the office': Canadian officials condemn Pete Hegseth cadet post

PeteHegseth/XIn a statement, the Canada" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="198816" data-entity-type="organization">Army Cadet League of Canada, a civilian organisation that supports the programme, said it strongly condemns "any online harassment, or mockery of cadets' achievements". "Directing derogatory commentary toward youth who are actively working to better themselves and serve their communities is unacceptable," the organisation said. Speaking to broadcaster CBC, Canada's top military commander, General Jennie Carignan, said they are in contact with the cadets involved and any response they may have. "We are consulting with them on how they want to go about doing this," she said. Other officials weighed in, including Scott Anderson, a Conservative member of parliament for the Canadian city of Vernon and a former military reservist, who in a post directed at Hegseth accused him not living up to the "responsibility and decorum" that comes with his title. "You have chosen to set both aside and insult two female Canadian non-combatants, and to intentionally shame them before millions. You should be ashamed," he said. "Our economies, our continental defence and our cultures are irretrievably intertwined and yet we are two distinct nations. Canadians and Americans should have no problem with each other, but I have a problem with you," Anderson added.