Toronto (September 10, 2020) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is pleased to learn that the Canadian Army will be finalizing its removal of a Canadian Ranger with ties to extremist groups from its ranks within weeks.

According to a CBC report, Canadian Army Commander Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre stated that Erik Myggland - who in the past had shown support online for far-right organizations, including the white supremacist group Soldiers of Odin - will be formally out of service and he wants "to get these individuals who bring dishonor into our ranks out as quickly as possible."

This information comes two weeks after FSWC met with the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Canada's Minister of National Defence, to discuss the organization's concerns regarding white supremacists and other extremists in the armed forces and to present its recommendations for reform, which include a zero-tolerance policy and quick dismissal of any members found to be involved in extremist activity.  

"We support and appreciate this decision by the Canadian Army to finally remove an individual involved in far-right activity and hateful conduct from its ranks, a decision that sends a message that those who are involved in hate groups and activity are not welcome in the military," said Michael Levitt, FSWC's president and CEO. "We commend leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces, including Army and Navy commanders, as well as Minister Sajjan for speaking out against extremism in the military and taking steps that show it will not be tolerated."

FSWC is also eagerly waiting to learn the results of the Royal Canadian Navy's command-level review of its decision to reinstate a Calgary-based sailor with neo-Nazi ties. The review was launched after FSWC publicly expressed its concern over the Navy's decision.

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