David Eby condemns Pete Hegseth's post mocking Canadian cadets
David EbyPremier of British Columbia
Eby condemned the post and described it as an attack on young Canadians participating in a volunteer cadet program.
Responding to
Hegseth’s post mocked or invited mockery of the appearance and achievements of people shown in the Canadian cadet-program image.
“What an embarrassment.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Did Pete Hegseth’s “this is real” post mock Canadian cadets?
On September 1, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted an image from the Vernon Cadet Training Centre showing a cadet receiving an award from an instructor, adding a Canadian flag and the words “this is real.” Canadian officials, a cadet organization, a Republican member of Congress, and George Clooney characterized the post as mocking, demeaning, or beneath the dignity of Hegseth’s office. The Pentagon stood by the post but did not specify what the caption meant.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Reports and embeds Canadian leaders' responses, the Pentagon response, and context about wider Canada–United States tensions.
Before the quotation
The image originated from the Vernon Cadet Training Centre in British Columbia.
After the quotation
The Pentagon declined to elaborate on the caption and said the post spoke for itself.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The statement is a direct condemnation of Hegseth and the perceived target of the post.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Pete Hegseth
More from this case
Read the full caseMichael Gendron says Hegseth's post invited mockery of women cadets
“an obvious invitation to mock the women’s appearance.”Read statement
Jonathan V. Last calls Hegseth "a cretin" over the Canadian cadets post
“The super butch secretary of WAR is making fun of an American ally... These are not Canadian soldiers. The Canadian Army is not a woke, Marxist polycule... So Pete Hegseth is a cretin.”Read statement
Former Canadian MP Charlie Angus says the Pentagon is "trolling Canadian teenagers who volunteer to serve our nation"
“I am not surprised that the Pentagon supports trolling Canadian teenagers who volunteer to serve our nation. We are proud of our cadets.”Read statement
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- David Eby condemns Pete Hegseth's post mocking Canadian cadets
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/395-eby-condemned-the-post-and-described-it-as
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The Dispute Index. "David Eby condemns Pete Hegseth's post mocking Canadian cadets". First published: 2026-09-11. Last updated: 2026-09-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/395-eby-condemned-the-post-and-described-it-as