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Navy officers criticize Officer X whistleblower in internal emails
Navy Lt. Patrick White has testified that Royal Canadian Navy leaders have covered up sexual misconduct allegations against the unnamed officer.
Author of the article
avid Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Published Apr 07, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 5 minute read
Capt. Richard Jean, deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Photo by Department of National Defence
Capt. Richard Jean, deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Photo by Department of National Defence
A sailor who testified before parliament about an alleged serial sexual misconduct offender was working with the Conservatives to embarrass the government, a senior Canadian navy officer has claimed in internal emails.
But documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen show that suggestion by Capt. Richard Jean, deputy commander of the naval reserves, is false.
Navy Lt. Patrick White approached the clerk of the Standing Committee on National Defence to request he be allowed to testify about the reprisals he has faced inside the naval reserves, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen. There was no mention of Conservative MPs or requests to work with them.
Military records obtained by the Ottawa Citizen also show navy leaders were concerned about what White would tell parliamentarians regarding incidents in the naval reserves.
White, assigned to an Ottawa-based naval reserve unit, told the committee during his April 17, 2024 appearance about an officer who he described as a “serial sexual misconduct offender.” The lieutenant also testified Royal Canadian Navy leaders have covered up the actions of the man who is referred to in some internal military records only as “Officer X.”
In addition, White warned members of Parliament that there was a danger of further risk since Officer X had a civilian job in which he has direct influence over children.
The Ottawa Citizen broke the story about Officer X in March 2024, citing internal Department of National Defence reports and police investigations. The military documents noted that Officer X has faced multiple allegations of harassment, sexual misconduct as well as police investigations since 2006. In at least one case, military police determined there was enough evidence to lay charges regarding an alleged sexual assault by Officer X but the Royal Canadian Navy leadership declined to do so.
Navy leaders learned the day before the commons committee that White was going to appear, setting off speculation and concern about what the lieutenant might say, according to military records.
Commodore Pat Montgomery, head of the naval reserve, wrote Rear Admiral Steven Waddell the day of the April 17 committee appearance that White had been given an hour to speak to MPs. “I don’t have any advance information as to questions/answers, but I would anticipate that it will not be a positive story presented,” Montgomery wrote.
Navy Capt. Richard Jean, the deputy commander of the naval reserves, emailed Montgomery several hours before White’s appearance. “No doubt he sought a Conservative MP that was happy to have something to potentially embarrass the GoC (Government of Canada),” Jean claimed.
Montgomery replied to Jean: “I am surprised that he was able to obtain an hour with the (committee). I would not have thought that he was an expert witness on transparency within DND and CAF, so I am equally interested to hear what he has to say.”
The committee was conducting a study of transparency in the Canadian Forces as well as the types of protection that existed for military whistleblowers.
The exchanges between the two senior officers are contained in military records released through the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.
Defence Minister Bill Blair did not respond to a request for comment.
Pat Montgomery navy
Commodore Pat Montgomery, head of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Photo by Department of National Defence.
Jean was asked for comment as well as copies of the records supporting his claim that White had sought out a Conservative MP to embarrass the Canadian government. He did not respond.
Montgomery did not respond to a request for comment.
White, who is assigned to HMCS Carleton, the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve Division in Ottawa, responded to a request for comment with an email statement. “The priority must remain ensuring Officer X is brought to justice for his sexual misconduct and the civilian children under his direction and control are safe,” White noted. “I defer to the Royal Canadian Navy as to the appropriateness of comments from the senior commanders of the Naval Reserve concerning one of their officers and our elected Parliamentarians.”
In a previous statement to the Ottawa Citizen about the Officer X case, navy commander Vice Admiral Angus Topshee noted that misconduct of any kind is unacceptable amongst the ranks. He stated that as the commander his role is to ensure a culture in the navy in which every sailor feels safe, welcomed and valued.
Asked by the Ottawa Citizen about how the comments from Jean and Montgomery would make White feel welcomed and valued, Topshee repeated his earlier statement that the navy takes misconduct very seriously. “Discussion of ongoing files by leadership and Royal Canadian Navy staff is a necessary part of the process to address these situations when they occur,” he added in an email.
Topshee did not take issue with Jean and Montgomery’s comments about White. But he added that all military members are held to the highest standard of conduct. Topshee stated he “continues to expect all leaders, sailors, and civilian employees within the Royal Canadian Navy to always carry out their duties with the highest degree of professionalism and will reiterate and enforce this expectation.”
White testified to the defence committee that military police had concluded there was enough evidence to charge Officer X with sexual assault, but instead the navy’s leadership decided he needed mentorship rather than punishment. Military documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen confirmed that.
White outlined to MPs on the committee the details about the alleged navy coverup to protect Officer X. Those naval reservists who tried to come forward with evidence against Officer X faced repercussions from naval reserve leaders who warned them they could face charges of mutiny and treason, White testified. “These threats of high-order criminal charges were made in order to silence and intimidate them,” he added during his appearance.
White also told the committee that Topshee was also approached in 2023 by a civilian who outlined in detail the concerns about Officer X. Topshee did not take any action, according to the civilian. Documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen confirmed that testimony.
After White testified to the House of Commons committee, he received emailed threats from anonymous sources.
A team of civilian investigators brought in by DND to look at the matter in 2022 heard that no action had been taken against Officer X even though sailors repeatedly informed the navy about the allegations. “All of the individuals brought forth allegations that ranged from the ‘lower end of the spectrum’ to the ‘high end’ of the sexual misconduct ‘spectrum,’ ” the report from the National Defence investigators pointed out. “This information was ‘bundled up’ with 14 years of multiple allegations and MP Investigations against Officer X that had resulted in ‘zero action.’ ”
The team interviewed one navy commander who informed them that “there were several MP (military police) investigations, dating as far back as to 2006, in which Officer X was named.”
torontosun.com
Navy Lt. Patrick White has testified that Royal Canadian Navy leaders have covered up sexual misconduct allegations against the unnamed officer.
Author of the article
avid Pugliese • Ottawa CitizenPublished Apr 07, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 5 minute read
Capt. Richard Jean, deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Photo by Department of National Defence
Capt. Richard Jean, deputy commander of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Photo by Department of National Defence
A sailor who testified before parliament about an alleged serial sexual misconduct offender was working with the Conservatives to embarrass the government, a senior Canadian navy officer has claimed in internal emails.
But documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen show that suggestion by Capt. Richard Jean, deputy commander of the naval reserves, is false.
Navy Lt. Patrick White approached the clerk of the Standing Committee on National Defence to request he be allowed to testify about the reprisals he has faced inside the naval reserves, according to documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen. There was no mention of Conservative MPs or requests to work with them.
Military records obtained by the Ottawa Citizen also show navy leaders were concerned about what White would tell parliamentarians regarding incidents in the naval reserves.
White, assigned to an Ottawa-based naval reserve unit, told the committee during his April 17, 2024 appearance about an officer who he described as a “serial sexual misconduct offender.” The lieutenant also testified Royal Canadian Navy leaders have covered up the actions of the man who is referred to in some internal military records only as “Officer X.”
In addition, White warned members of Parliament that there was a danger of further risk since Officer X had a civilian job in which he has direct influence over children.
The Ottawa Citizen broke the story about Officer X in March 2024, citing internal Department of National Defence reports and police investigations. The military documents noted that Officer X has faced multiple allegations of harassment, sexual misconduct as well as police investigations since 2006. In at least one case, military police determined there was enough evidence to lay charges regarding an alleged sexual assault by Officer X but the Royal Canadian Navy leadership declined to do so.
Navy leaders learned the day before the commons committee that White was going to appear, setting off speculation and concern about what the lieutenant might say, according to military records.
Commodore Pat Montgomery, head of the naval reserve, wrote Rear Admiral Steven Waddell the day of the April 17 committee appearance that White had been given an hour to speak to MPs. “I don’t have any advance information as to questions/answers, but I would anticipate that it will not be a positive story presented,” Montgomery wrote.
Navy Capt. Richard Jean, the deputy commander of the naval reserves, emailed Montgomery several hours before White’s appearance. “No doubt he sought a Conservative MP that was happy to have something to potentially embarrass the GoC (Government of Canada),” Jean claimed.
Montgomery replied to Jean: “I am surprised that he was able to obtain an hour with the (committee). I would not have thought that he was an expert witness on transparency within DND and CAF, so I am equally interested to hear what he has to say.”
The committee was conducting a study of transparency in the Canadian Forces as well as the types of protection that existed for military whistleblowers.
The exchanges between the two senior officers are contained in military records released through the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.
Defence Minister Bill Blair did not respond to a request for comment.
Pat Montgomery navy
Commodore Pat Montgomery, head of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Photo by Department of National Defence.
Jean was asked for comment as well as copies of the records supporting his claim that White had sought out a Conservative MP to embarrass the Canadian government. He did not respond.
Montgomery did not respond to a request for comment.
White, who is assigned to HMCS Carleton, the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve Division in Ottawa, responded to a request for comment with an email statement. “The priority must remain ensuring Officer X is brought to justice for his sexual misconduct and the civilian children under his direction and control are safe,” White noted. “I defer to the Royal Canadian Navy as to the appropriateness of comments from the senior commanders of the Naval Reserve concerning one of their officers and our elected Parliamentarians.”
In a previous statement to the Ottawa Citizen about the Officer X case, navy commander Vice Admiral Angus Topshee noted that misconduct of any kind is unacceptable amongst the ranks. He stated that as the commander his role is to ensure a culture in the navy in which every sailor feels safe, welcomed and valued.
Asked by the Ottawa Citizen about how the comments from Jean and Montgomery would make White feel welcomed and valued, Topshee repeated his earlier statement that the navy takes misconduct very seriously. “Discussion of ongoing files by leadership and Royal Canadian Navy staff is a necessary part of the process to address these situations when they occur,” he added in an email.
Topshee did not take issue with Jean and Montgomery’s comments about White. But he added that all military members are held to the highest standard of conduct. Topshee stated he “continues to expect all leaders, sailors, and civilian employees within the Royal Canadian Navy to always carry out their duties with the highest degree of professionalism and will reiterate and enforce this expectation.”
White testified to the defence committee that military police had concluded there was enough evidence to charge Officer X with sexual assault, but instead the navy’s leadership decided he needed mentorship rather than punishment. Military documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen confirmed that.
White outlined to MPs on the committee the details about the alleged navy coverup to protect Officer X. Those naval reservists who tried to come forward with evidence against Officer X faced repercussions from naval reserve leaders who warned them they could face charges of mutiny and treason, White testified. “These threats of high-order criminal charges were made in order to silence and intimidate them,” he added during his appearance.
White also told the committee that Topshee was also approached in 2023 by a civilian who outlined in detail the concerns about Officer X. Topshee did not take any action, according to the civilian. Documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen confirmed that testimony.
After White testified to the House of Commons committee, he received emailed threats from anonymous sources.
A team of civilian investigators brought in by DND to look at the matter in 2022 heard that no action had been taken against Officer X even though sailors repeatedly informed the navy about the allegations. “All of the individuals brought forth allegations that ranged from the ‘lower end of the spectrum’ to the ‘high end’ of the sexual misconduct ‘spectrum,’ ” the report from the National Defence investigators pointed out. “This information was ‘bundled up’ with 14 years of multiple allegations and MP Investigations against Officer X that had resulted in ‘zero action.’ ”
The team interviewed one navy commander who informed them that “there were several MP (military police) investigations, dating as far back as to 2006, in which Officer X was named.”
Navy officers criticize Officer X whistleblower in internal emails
Navy Lt. Patrick White testified that navy leaders have covered up sexual misconduct allegations against the unnamed officer.
Military veteran still battling federal government over Mefloquine poisoning
Disabled veteran Dave Bona has severe Mefloquine poisoning after serving with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Apr 15, 2025 • 3 minute read
Military veteran Dave Bona is crossing Canada to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Military veteran Dave Bona is crossing Canada to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Dave Bona is nine years into his mission of raising awareness of Mefloquine toxicity among Canada’s military veterans.
The 57-year-old from St. Denis, Sask., is a disabled veteran with severe Mefloquine poisoning from the anti-malarial medication who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years, including deployments to Somalia and Rwanda.
Bona said he saw a psychologist for 14 years, went through in-patient treatment care programs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger management, and alcohol abuse and said nothing worked. He said the drug caused him suicidal thoughts, seizures, anger, vertigo and other symptoms.
He is travelling across the country this month so that the government doesn’t forget about poisoned veterans and their families, and to help those affected navigate their illness.
“I’ve had no one reach out to me,” Bona said before hopping on a train to Montreal. “I’ve never had anyone from Veterans Affairs reach out to me. I’ve never had anyone from the Department of National Defence reach out to me.”
Mefloquine’s short-term side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and bad dreams. However, in a 2020 update, Canada’s Surgeon General said “more serious side effects such as anxiety, nervousness, and depression are rare, but can pose risks to a member’s long-term health.”
He began the protest in Vancouver on April 2 and also made stops in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg where he sets up outside military recruiting centres or Service Canada buildings during the day. He also attends the nearest legion for a couple of hours to answer questions.
Military veteran Dave Bona was in New Westminster, B.C., on April 2, 2025, to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to Canadian troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Military veteran Dave Bona was in New Westminster, B.C., on April 2, 2025, to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to Canadian troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
He was in Toronto on Monday protesting outside a Service Canada building in North York. He is also making a stop in Montreal on Wednesday before ending his advocacy in Ottawa for a week’s stay, hoping to get MPs on his side.
Bona said what Veterans Affairs is doing right now is dangerous because the government agency is allowing retired military members to be diagnosed with PTSD due to Mefloquine poisoning.
“Veterans Affairs will only allow a person with a PTSD diagnosis (to receive) PTSD-specific treatments,” he said. “There is no treatment in the PTSD treatment protocol that is effective for (damage to) the brain stem. And that is what the injury is from Mefloquine. It’s permanent, it’s degenerative.”
He said PTSD treatment is cheaper than what is needed for people suffering from the effects of the drug years later, including in some cases loss of balance, numbness and tingling, and gastrointestinal issues that affects serotonin levels, which regulates behaviour, mood and memory.
According to Bona, people who had severe effects from Mefloquine are sometimes found in long-term care homes at a young age suffering from symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
And he accused Veterans Affairs of not wanting to take care of retired military members who are going through these illnesses.
“They want to throw us into the provincial health care system and literally handcuff the hands of the provincial health care system and then just let us waste years trying to meander through.”
Bona gets emotional when he says the most severe side effect of Mefloquine is suicide, especially when a person doesn’t receive the proper help and has no where else to turn to.
“You got this guy that’s been trying to get help. What’s going to happen when he gets no help? He’s going to kill himself. And this has happened again and again.
Bona said he had similar thoughts of suicide after not being able to receive the proper diagnosis following bouts of anger and rage until he was forwarded an article about the side effects of Mefloquine.
“I was getting ready to kill myself,” he said. “I was done. I couldn’t take the hurt my kids and family faced.”
facebook.com
torontosun.com
Disabled veteran Dave Bona has severe Mefloquine poisoning after serving with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Apr 15, 2025 • 3 minute read
Military veteran Dave Bona is crossing Canada to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Military veteran Dave Bona is crossing Canada to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Dave Bona is nine years into his mission of raising awareness of Mefloquine toxicity among Canada’s military veterans.
The 57-year-old from St. Denis, Sask., is a disabled veteran with severe Mefloquine poisoning from the anti-malarial medication who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years, including deployments to Somalia and Rwanda.
Bona said he saw a psychologist for 14 years, went through in-patient treatment care programs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger management, and alcohol abuse and said nothing worked. He said the drug caused him suicidal thoughts, seizures, anger, vertigo and other symptoms.
He is travelling across the country this month so that the government doesn’t forget about poisoned veterans and their families, and to help those affected navigate their illness.
“I’ve had no one reach out to me,” Bona said before hopping on a train to Montreal. “I’ve never had anyone from Veterans Affairs reach out to me. I’ve never had anyone from the Department of National Defence reach out to me.”
Mefloquine’s short-term side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and bad dreams. However, in a 2020 update, Canada’s Surgeon General said “more serious side effects such as anxiety, nervousness, and depression are rare, but can pose risks to a member’s long-term health.”
He began the protest in Vancouver on April 2 and also made stops in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg where he sets up outside military recruiting centres or Service Canada buildings during the day. He also attends the nearest legion for a couple of hours to answer questions.
Military veteran Dave Bona was in New Westminster, B.C., on April 2, 2025, to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to Canadian troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Military veteran Dave Bona was in New Westminster, B.C., on April 2, 2025, to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to Canadian troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
He was in Toronto on Monday protesting outside a Service Canada building in North York. He is also making a stop in Montreal on Wednesday before ending his advocacy in Ottawa for a week’s stay, hoping to get MPs on his side.
Bona said what Veterans Affairs is doing right now is dangerous because the government agency is allowing retired military members to be diagnosed with PTSD due to Mefloquine poisoning.
“Veterans Affairs will only allow a person with a PTSD diagnosis (to receive) PTSD-specific treatments,” he said. “There is no treatment in the PTSD treatment protocol that is effective for (damage to) the brain stem. And that is what the injury is from Mefloquine. It’s permanent, it’s degenerative.”
He said PTSD treatment is cheaper than what is needed for people suffering from the effects of the drug years later, including in some cases loss of balance, numbness and tingling, and gastrointestinal issues that affects serotonin levels, which regulates behaviour, mood and memory.
According to Bona, people who had severe effects from Mefloquine are sometimes found in long-term care homes at a young age suffering from symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
And he accused Veterans Affairs of not wanting to take care of retired military members who are going through these illnesses.
“They want to throw us into the provincial health care system and literally handcuff the hands of the provincial health care system and then just let us waste years trying to meander through.”
Bona gets emotional when he says the most severe side effect of Mefloquine is suicide, especially when a person doesn’t receive the proper help and has no where else to turn to.
“You got this guy that’s been trying to get help. What’s going to happen when he gets no help? He’s going to kill himself. And this has happened again and again.
Bona said he had similar thoughts of suicide after not being able to receive the proper diagnosis following bouts of anger and rage until he was forwarded an article about the side effects of Mefloquine.
“I was getting ready to kill myself,” he said. “I was done. I couldn’t take the hurt my kids and family faced.”
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Military veteran still battling federal government over Mefloquine poisoning
Dave Bona is nine years into his mission of raising awareness of Mefloquine toxicity among Canada's military veterans.
Vaccines are good. Vaccines are bad.Military veteran still battling federal government over Mefloquine poisoning
Disabled veteran Dave Bona has severe Mefloquine poisoning after serving with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Apr 15, 2025 • 3 minute read
Military veteran Dave Bona is crossing Canada to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Military veteran Dave Bona is crossing Canada to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Dave Bona is nine years into his mission of raising awareness of Mefloquine toxicity among Canada’s military veterans.
The 57-year-old from St. Denis, Sask., is a disabled veteran with severe Mefloquine poisoning from the anti-malarial medication who served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 14 years, including deployments to Somalia and Rwanda.
Bona said he saw a psychologist for 14 years, went through in-patient treatment care programs for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger management, and alcohol abuse and said nothing worked. He said the drug caused him suicidal thoughts, seizures, anger, vertigo and other symptoms.
He is travelling across the country this month so that the government doesn’t forget about poisoned veterans and their families, and to help those affected navigate their illness.
“I’ve had no one reach out to me,” Bona said before hopping on a train to Montreal. “I’ve never had anyone from Veterans Affairs reach out to me. I’ve never had anyone from the Department of National Defence reach out to me.”
Mefloquine’s short-term side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and bad dreams. However, in a 2020 update, Canada’s Surgeon General said “more serious side effects such as anxiety, nervousness, and depression are rare, but can pose risks to a member’s long-term health.”
He began the protest in Vancouver on April 2 and also made stops in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg where he sets up outside military recruiting centres or Service Canada buildings during the day. He also attends the nearest legion for a couple of hours to answer questions.
Military veteran Dave Bona was in New Westminster, B.C., on April 2, 2025, to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to Canadian troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
Military veteran Dave Bona was in New Westminster, B.C., on April 2, 2025, to raise awareness of Mefloquine, a medication given to Canadian troops on deployments to countries with high risk of malaria.
He was in Toronto on Monday protesting outside a Service Canada building in North York. He is also making a stop in Montreal on Wednesday before ending his advocacy in Ottawa for a week’s stay, hoping to get MPs on his side.
Bona said what Veterans Affairs is doing right now is dangerous because the government agency is allowing retired military members to be diagnosed with PTSD due to Mefloquine poisoning.
“Veterans Affairs will only allow a person with a PTSD diagnosis (to receive) PTSD-specific treatments,” he said. “There is no treatment in the PTSD treatment protocol that is effective for (damage to) the brain stem. And that is what the injury is from Mefloquine. It’s permanent, it’s degenerative.”
He said PTSD treatment is cheaper than what is needed for people suffering from the effects of the drug years later, including in some cases loss of balance, numbness and tingling, and gastrointestinal issues that affects serotonin levels, which regulates behaviour, mood and memory.
According to Bona, people who had severe effects from Mefloquine are sometimes found in long-term care homes at a young age suffering from symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
And he accused Veterans Affairs of not wanting to take care of retired military members who are going through these illnesses.
“They want to throw us into the provincial health care system and literally handcuff the hands of the provincial health care system and then just let us waste years trying to meander through.”
Bona gets emotional when he says the most severe side effect of Mefloquine is suicide, especially when a person doesn’t receive the proper help and has no where else to turn to.
“You got this guy that’s been trying to get help. What’s going to happen when he gets no help? He’s going to kill himself. And this has happened again and again.
Bona said he had similar thoughts of suicide after not being able to receive the proper diagnosis following bouts of anger and rage until he was forwarded an article about the side effects of Mefloquine.
“I was getting ready to kill myself,” he said. “I was done. I couldn’t take the hurt my kids and family faced.”
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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.Military veteran still battling federal government over Mefloquine poisoning
Dave Bona is nine years into his mission of raising awareness of Mefloquine toxicity among Canada's military veterans.
What's the truth?
Depends on the vaccine, and the length of trials. Polio vaccine works well with very few side effects. Flu vaccine only works as a revenue generator, but fortunately does not seem to have many negative side effects. Covid vaccine doesn't work as advertised, has more negative side effects than promised results, and is an excellent revenue generator for pension plans.
Another combat vet who says he was offered medical suicide comes forward
Two-tour Afghanistan combat veteran David Baltzer was offered medically-assisted suicide in Dec. 2019 — making him one of the first CAF soldiers offered MAID by a VAC caseworker
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Apr 25, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
OTTAWA — He came seeking help, but he says he was instead offered death.
Nearly three years after the story first became public, another Canadian Forces veteran has stepped forward alleging Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offered him medical assistance in dying (MAID.)
David Baltzer, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the elite Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI,) told the Toronto Sun he was offered MAID in Dec. 23, 2019 — possibly making him among the first Canadian soldiers offered therapeutic suicide by the federal government.
“It made me wonder, were they really there to help us, or slowly groom us to say ‘here’s a solution, just kill yourself,” Baltzer told the Sun.
The offer stemmed from a disagreement Baltzer had with his existing caseworker, with the topic of MAID coming up during a Dec. 23, 2019 phone call with a different VAC agent.
“I was in my lowest down point, it was just before Christmas,” he told the Sun.
“He says to me, ‘I would like to make a suggestion for you. Keep an open mind, think about it, you’ve tried all this and nothing seems to be working, but have you thought about medical-assisted suicide?'”
The suggestion, Baltzer said, left him reeling.
“It just seems to me that they just want us to be like ‘f–k this, I give up, this sucks, I’d rather just take my own life,'” he said.
“That’s how I honestly felt.”
Originally from St. Catharines, Ont., Baltzer enlisted at 17, eventually moving west and joining 2 PPCLI at CFB Shilo in Manitoba.
In 2006, Baltzer was among Canada’s first troops deployed to Afghanistan as part Operation Athena, where he served two tours and saw plenty of combat.
“We went out on long-range patrols trying to find the Taliban, and that’s exactly what we did,” he said, recalling his first taste of combat.
“The best way I can describe it, it was like Black Hawk Down — all of the sudden the s–t hit the fan and I was like ‘wow, we’re fighting, who would have thought? Canada hasn’t fought like this since the Korean War.”
Upon returning home, Baltzer was offered counselling and therapy by VAC, which he said was of little help.
Baltzer, like many combat vets, turned to alcohol and substance abuse to deal with his trauma — but is doing well today.
A key figure shedding light on the VAC MAID scandal was CAF veteran Mark Meincke, whose trauma-recovery podcast Operation Tango Romeo broke the story.
“Veterans, especially combat veterans, usually don’t reach out for help until like a year longer than they should’ve,” Meincke said, telling the Sun he waited over two decades before seeking help.
“We’re desperate by the time we put our hands up for help. Offering MAID is like throwing a cinderblock instead of a life preserver.”
Meincke said Baltzer’s story shoots down VAC’s assertions blaming one caseworker for offering MAID to veterans, and suggests the problem is far more serious than some rogue public servant.
“It had to have been policy. because it’s just too many people in too many provinces,” Meincke told the Sun.
“Every province has service agents from that province.”
The exact number of veterans offered MAID isn’t known.
In a 2022 briefing VAC said it was between four and 20, but Meincke personally knows of five, and said the actual number’s likely close to 20.
An internal investigation determined in 2023 that responsibility lied with just one caseworker, who they said was no longer employed with VAC.
Baltzer said VAC needs top-to-bottom reform, and a good place to start is replacing civilian caseworkers with military veterans, who can better relate to those scarred by the horrors of war.
“I remember saying to them, ‘if it wasn’t for us you wouldn’t have a job, so maybe you should be more helpful,;” Baltzer recalled with a laugh.
“We served our country, it’s their job to serve us.”
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torontosun.com
Two-tour Afghanistan combat veteran David Baltzer was offered medically-assisted suicide in Dec. 2019 — making him one of the first CAF soldiers offered MAID by a VAC caseworker
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Apr 25, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
OTTAWA — He came seeking help, but he says he was instead offered death.
Nearly three years after the story first became public, another Canadian Forces veteran has stepped forward alleging Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offered him medical assistance in dying (MAID.)
David Baltzer, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the elite Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI,) told the Toronto Sun he was offered MAID in Dec. 23, 2019 — possibly making him among the first Canadian soldiers offered therapeutic suicide by the federal government.
“It made me wonder, were they really there to help us, or slowly groom us to say ‘here’s a solution, just kill yourself,” Baltzer told the Sun.
The offer stemmed from a disagreement Baltzer had with his existing caseworker, with the topic of MAID coming up during a Dec. 23, 2019 phone call with a different VAC agent.
“I was in my lowest down point, it was just before Christmas,” he told the Sun.
“He says to me, ‘I would like to make a suggestion for you. Keep an open mind, think about it, you’ve tried all this and nothing seems to be working, but have you thought about medical-assisted suicide?'”
The suggestion, Baltzer said, left him reeling.
“It just seems to me that they just want us to be like ‘f–k this, I give up, this sucks, I’d rather just take my own life,'” he said.
“That’s how I honestly felt.”
Originally from St. Catharines, Ont., Baltzer enlisted at 17, eventually moving west and joining 2 PPCLI at CFB Shilo in Manitoba.
In 2006, Baltzer was among Canada’s first troops deployed to Afghanistan as part Operation Athena, where he served two tours and saw plenty of combat.
“We went out on long-range patrols trying to find the Taliban, and that’s exactly what we did,” he said, recalling his first taste of combat.
“The best way I can describe it, it was like Black Hawk Down — all of the sudden the s–t hit the fan and I was like ‘wow, we’re fighting, who would have thought? Canada hasn’t fought like this since the Korean War.”
Upon returning home, Baltzer was offered counselling and therapy by VAC, which he said was of little help.
Baltzer, like many combat vets, turned to alcohol and substance abuse to deal with his trauma — but is doing well today.
A key figure shedding light on the VAC MAID scandal was CAF veteran Mark Meincke, whose trauma-recovery podcast Operation Tango Romeo broke the story.
“Veterans, especially combat veterans, usually don’t reach out for help until like a year longer than they should’ve,” Meincke said, telling the Sun he waited over two decades before seeking help.
“We’re desperate by the time we put our hands up for help. Offering MAID is like throwing a cinderblock instead of a life preserver.”
Meincke said Baltzer’s story shoots down VAC’s assertions blaming one caseworker for offering MAID to veterans, and suggests the problem is far more serious than some rogue public servant.
“It had to have been policy. because it’s just too many people in too many provinces,” Meincke told the Sun.
“Every province has service agents from that province.”
The exact number of veterans offered MAID isn’t known.
In a 2022 briefing VAC said it was between four and 20, but Meincke personally knows of five, and said the actual number’s likely close to 20.
An internal investigation determined in 2023 that responsibility lied with just one caseworker, who they said was no longer employed with VAC.
Baltzer said VAC needs top-to-bottom reform, and a good place to start is replacing civilian caseworkers with military veterans, who can better relate to those scarred by the horrors of war.
“I remember saying to them, ‘if it wasn’t for us you wouldn’t have a job, so maybe you should be more helpful,;” Baltzer recalled with a laugh.
“We served our country, it’s their job to serve us.”
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
Operation Tango Romeo, the Trauma Recovery Podcast
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Another combat vet who says he was offered medical suicide comes forward
Two-tour Afghanistan combat veteran David Baltzer was offered medically-assisted suicide in Dec. 2019
Which is basically the terms under which he enlisted, so he should be used to it.
This is the Canadian army we are talking about. Paycheque for
Life with no unsafe working conditions. When I worked at CFB Comox, there was a corporal that managed to get 20 years in without once being deployed.