Canadian armed forces veteran James Topp, who began a protest march in February to walk from Vancouver to Parliament Hill, is now facing two charges..The reservist with the 39 CB Royal Westminster Regiment, now employed by the RCMP, is on unpaid administrative leave for publicly standing against the vaccination mandates while in uniform on two occasions in February. .The Department of National Defence told the Western Standard Topp is "facing two charges under the National Defence Act section 129, Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline, in relation to making public comments criticizing the Government of Canada policies.".Topp posted a video on social media on February 13 where he was seen in uniform while speaking out against the vaccine mandates. ."I am presently in the reserve force," said Topp in the video. ."I am wearing this uniform without the authorization of my chain of command. I fully accept responsibility of my actions and the consequences that may arise." ."I am here to make a statement against government policy for federal government employees to have a vaccination as a term of our employment."."I do not approve of them. I do not believe that the state should have the power over my body and what goes into it. End of story." ."So, in protest, I am marching on foot from Vancouver to Ottawa." .Topp also made similar public comments in Surry, BC. .He began his protest walk in Vancouver on February 20 and plans to arrive at Parliament Hill in June. The Western Standard spoke with Topp on April 1 as he walked a highway near Lethbridge, Alta. .Although Canadian Armed Forces members are restricted in what they can say while in uniform, Millar argued those restrictions should not apply in instances where policies affect a member personally. ."All Canadian Armed Forces members are held to the highest standard both while in uniform and while off duty. As we have stated before, members of the CAF must remain impartial when communicating publicly," said DND in a statement to the Western Standard. . "If an incident, professional shortcoming or special circumstance arises, we take the necessary steps to determine the most appropriate course of action to take. DND/CAF takes all allegations seriously and will investigate thoroughly to determine the facts and analyze the evidence in order to determine the most appropriate course of action. The CAF will continue to take appropriate disciplinary and/or administrative action to hold members accountable for their actions."."Leaders and personnel at all levels have been empowered to quickly engage and to act as cases arise in order to ensure the CAF’s expectations, values and principles are upheld."
Canadian armed forces veteran James Topp, who began a protest march in February to walk from Vancouver to Parliament Hill, is now facing two charges..The reservist with the 39 CB Royal Westminster Regiment, now employed by the RCMP, is on unpaid administrative leave for publicly standing against the vaccination mandates while in uniform on two occasions in February. .The Department of National Defence told the Western Standard Topp is "facing two charges under the National Defence Act section 129, Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline, in relation to making public comments criticizing the Government of Canada policies.".Topp posted a video on social media on February 13 where he was seen in uniform while speaking out against the vaccine mandates. ."I am presently in the reserve force," said Topp in the video. ."I am wearing this uniform without the authorization of my chain of command. I fully accept responsibility of my actions and the consequences that may arise." ."I am here to make a statement against government policy for federal government employees to have a vaccination as a term of our employment."."I do not approve of them. I do not believe that the state should have the power over my body and what goes into it. End of story." ."So, in protest, I am marching on foot from Vancouver to Ottawa." .Topp also made similar public comments in Surry, BC. .He began his protest walk in Vancouver on February 20 and plans to arrive at Parliament Hill in June. The Western Standard spoke with Topp on April 1 as he walked a highway near Lethbridge, Alta. .Although Canadian Armed Forces members are restricted in what they can say while in uniform, Millar argued those restrictions should not apply in instances where policies affect a member personally. ."All Canadian Armed Forces members are held to the highest standard both while in uniform and while off duty. As we have stated before, members of the CAF must remain impartial when communicating publicly," said DND in a statement to the Western Standard. . "If an incident, professional shortcoming or special circumstance arises, we take the necessary steps to determine the most appropriate course of action to take. DND/CAF takes all allegations seriously and will investigate thoroughly to determine the facts and analyze the evidence in order to determine the most appropriate course of action. The CAF will continue to take appropriate disciplinary and/or administrative action to hold members accountable for their actions."."Leaders and personnel at all levels have been empowered to quickly engage and to act as cases arise in order to ensure the CAF’s expectations, values and principles are upheld."
