Liberal political aides were displeased with the number of soldiers, sailors and air crew who sympathized with the Freedom Convoy, records show. The RCMP had so many members support protesters it issued a 35-page guide “regarding the participation of current or prior employees” in street demonstrations..According to Blacklock's Reporter, confidential documents detailing unofficial police and military support for protesters were released by the Public Order Emergency Commission. Records show at least eight members of the military publicly supported the Freedom Convoy at Canadian Armed Forces bases in Comox, Chilliwack, Ottawa and Gagetown..“Please see this internal list of Canadian Armed Forces members allegedly involved in the convoy,” Defence Minister Anita Anand’s office wrote in a February 15 staff email. Alexander Cohen, press aide to the public safety minister, replied, “How the f**k many soldiers are in the convoy????”.The military said public support for street protests breached its Code Of Service Discipline. “While armed forces members like all Canadians have a right to their own personal opinions, they are also subject to regulations relating to public comment on defence and government policies,” wrote staff..The RCMP did not disclose how many members and retirees supported protests. However, it issued a February 17 directive cautioning supervisors to “look at the relevant factors on a case-by-case basis.”.“Protest is not unlawful just because it is loud and angry,” said the directive RCMP National Guidance E-Binder For Employee Participation In 2022 COVID Protests. “Does the Code Of Conduct apply to retired or medically discharged members? No.”.“Criticizing the government on social media or taking part in a demonstration raises complex and nuanced issues for the employer such as the divide between an employee’s private life and their employment responsibilities,” wrote management. The directive added that a public service employee’s right to freedom of expression is "not absolute."."It must be balanced against the employee’s concomitant duty of loyalty to the employer.”.“With respect to member participation at protests, a conduct authority should be mindful of the balancing of principal interests: the employee’s expectation of privacy and freedom of expression, and the employer’s legitimate interest in monitoring, regulating and dealing with employee conduct,” said the directive..The Mounties in 2014 introduced pre-union RCMP Regulations that required police to “refrain from making public statements criticizing the Government of Canada or operations of the force.” The Supreme Court of Canada a year later struck down an RCMP union ban as unconstitutional. The ban by cabinet order had dated from the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike.
