A report released yesterday, Monday, stated that the number of white extremists and other violent extremists within the Canadian military is increasing "at an alarming rate," and leaders are not doing enough to eradicate it.

The report, prepared by a four-member government advisory committee, also found widespread racism against Indigenous peoples and Black people, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism, as well as gender bias and bias against gay and lesbian individuals within the military ranks.

It concluded that failure to address these issues "negatively affects operational capabilities, undermines the well-being of members (military personnel), and jeopardizes Canada's security." Defense Minister Anita Anand said in a press conference: "The truth is that systemic racism exists in our institution and we need to uproot and eliminate it."

She pointed out that a total of 326.5 million Canadian dollars (256 million US dollars) was allocated in the last two federal budgets "to change the culture in the military."

The report stated: "In addition to sexual misconduct and domestic violence, hate crimes, extremist behaviors, and membership in white supremacist groups are increasing at an alarming rate."

It noted that extremist group members have become better at hiding their activities and affiliations, for example by using encryption and the Darknet, while the military's efforts to detect extremist pockets or individuals "remain isolated and largely ineffective."

It said that although there is absolutely no tolerance for hateful behavior, when discovered, the consequences of such behavior or membership in hate groups "are not consistent."

Advisory committee member Ed Fitch said military leaders "still do not know enough about these groups, who they are, and where they are," and that concerted efforts are needed "to completely purge this hateful area."

Approximately 258 recommendations stemming from dozens of inquiries to address diversity, inclusion, respect, and professional conduct in the military have been made over the past twenty years.

But when the committee tried to determine the progress made on those recommendations, they found that many were "poorly implemented, shelved, or even abandoned," noted Sandra Perron, another committee member.

The advisory team offered 13 of its own recommendations. Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre said the biggest challenge is that "once they are spotlighted (these groups), they change their names, they change their symbols."

He said: "When hate groups become widespread in our society, we must be very vigilant and continue educating ourselves about what these signs and symbols mean."