Trump officials mock Canadian military as global defence chiefs gather in B.C. - CTV News

ADVERTISEMENT Share current article via Email Share current article via X Share current article via Reddit Share current article via LinkedIn Vancouver News Trump officials mock Canadian military as global defence chiefs gather in B.C. By Todd Coyne Opens in new window Published: September 01, 2026 at 3:49p.m. EDT Playing 1 of 6 Now Playing Trade talks can continue when U.S. stops ‘doing memes’ and ‘throwing shade’: PM Carney 'What an embarrassment': B.C. Premier Eby on Hegseth's social media post on Canadian cadet program Carney’s Liberals reclaim a majority after sweeping three federal byelections How Trump’s attacks on Canada helped shape the byelection vote The future of Canada-U.S. relations amid trade uncertainty and upcoming midterms U.S.-Canada trade talks stall as war of words escalates Senior military leaders from Canada, the United States and more than two dozen other nations are gathering in Victoria this week under the theme of solidarity in an increasingly dangerous world. But that unity was at risk of shattering before the conference of Indo-Pacific defence chiefs began Tuesday, after U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted an image on social media apparently mocking Canadian cadets at a training centre in Vernon, B.C. The post, which depicted two young women in uniform and was captioned “this is real,” triggered widespread backlash online, with critics calling it an attempt to undermine and disparage the Canadian military at a time of heightened tensions after Canada-U.S. trade talks broke down last month. Defence minister responds Defence Minister David McGuinty called the post from his U.S. counterpart “below the dignity of the office he holds.” McGuinty was responding to questions from reporters after delivering opening remarks at the conference of senior military officials from 29 countries across the Pacific region, including China. “I think Canadians can understand the difference between the performative nature of an administration in the United States and understand the importance of the military-to-military co-operation, which continues,” McGuinty said. The U.S. remains a welcome military partner and a co-host of the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference, held annually around the Pacific region, the defence minister said. “The world is changing, the security environment is changing, and Canada is changing with it,” McGuinty told conference delegates, including Gen. Dan Caine, the…