The Canadian Forces is investigating how a media junket that was supposed to promote the military’s mission in the Arctic went off the rails with allegations journalists were physically jostled by military police while others were allegedly called “f**king rats” by some soldiers.
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The media visit for Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT in September was so disorganized and restrictions so strict on what could be reported that several journalists, including two from Europe as well as a Postmedia photographer, left the exercise early. The operation, based in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, was to demonstrate Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic.
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Reporters on the trip said they were prevented from interacting with local inhabitants even though they had made prior arrangements to meet with Inuit to see day-to-day life in the Arctic. Journalists said they were also told by military officials they were prohibited from attending the local Terry Fox run.
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Department of National Defence officials concede there were significant problems with how the trip unfolded and were now examining how an initiative supposed to promote the Canadian Forces in a positive way turned into a debacle.
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DND spokesperson Tamara Murphy stated in an email that there was an investigation underway into allegations soldiers called journalists “f**king rats.” The alleged incidents involving military police and the reporters were also being reviewed.
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“We recognize that some journalists were disappointed with the access they received,” Murphy added. “We will review those experiences as part of our lessons learned process for future Arctic media programs. We are committed to transparency and to improving our media programs.”
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Journalists had arranged to visit local residents and observe Inuit culture. But Murphy claimed those invitations were not “co-ordinated in advance with community leadership” and access to the community “requires careful planning and co-ordination before movement from the Canadian Armed Forces camp into Resolute Bay.”
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The problems were outlined by national security journalist Christy Somos in an article on her Substack.
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Somos was in Resolute Bay on assignment for The Walrus magazine.
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Journalists who were on the trip confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen what Somos wrote, but also said the situation was even worse than she described.
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The actions of some of the Canadian Forces personnel was in contrast to the welcoming attitude of those serving in the Canadian Rangers, a reserve force made up of local inhabitants.
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Some retired military public affairs officers have warned that what took place during Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT 2026 is a sign of a greater malaise in overall DND and Canadian Forces communications. They have pointed out that DND and military public affairs officers are not promoting good news stories and are failing to communicate on potentially controversial issues. Inaccurate or incomplete information about the recent tragic fire at CFB Wainwright that killed four soldiers and injured 39 has allowed conspiracy theories about the event to circulate, they added.
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Retired Canadian Forces colonel Brett Boudreau, a former senior public affairs officer, said what happened during Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT suggested shortcomings in exercise planning, on-the-ground leadership, headquarters guidance and oversight.
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