Canadian Military Broke Rules In COVID Intelligence Ops

A newly released internal report has revealed that members of the Canadian Armed Forces violated intelligence-gathering rules during operations carried out in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about oversight and the protection of public data.

The report, obtained by CBC News, outlines how multiple military units collected information about Canadians without proper authorization, training, or adherence to established guidelines. The activities took place as part of Operation Laser, the military’s domestic mission launched to support the country’s response to the pandemic in 2020.

According to the findings, some personnel used personal computers, private internet connections, and their own social media accounts to monitor public opinion online. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram were used to track discussions related to COVID-19 and the military’s role, but in several cases, the data collection exceeded what was required for the mission.

Experts say the operation lacked proper structure and oversight. Wesley Wark described the effort as poorly planned and executed, stating that it should never have been launched in its original form. He noted that untrained personnel were tasked with intelligence work, often without understanding the legal and operational limits of such activities.

One of the key issues highlighted in the report was the failure of some units to follow basic intelligence protocols. This included not deleting collected data about Canadians when required, failing to log information properly, and not using secure or anonymous tools to conduct monitoring. In some cases, teams even expanded their scope beyond pandemic-related topics, including monitoring movements such as Black Lives Matter, which was not directly related to their assigned objectives.

The report also found that certain units ignored instructions to use official systems and instead relied on personal accounts, increasing the risk of exposing sensitive operations. Additionally, required risk assessments were not carried out, further weakening the integrity of the mission.

The controversy dates back to 2020, when concerns were first raised about the military exploring influence campaigns to shape public perception during the pandemic. Although then Chief of Defence Staff Jonathan Vance had ordered some activities to stop, parts of the operation reportedly continued for months afterward.

Analysts say the situation has damaged public trust and exposed gaps in the legal framework governing military intelligence activities within Canada. There are ongoing concerns that similar issues could arise again, as recommendations to establish clearer laws and guidelines have yet to be fully implemented.

The Department of National Defence has not publicly responded to the latest report. Meanwhile, experts continue to call for stronger accountability, clearer rules, and better oversight to ensure that intelligence operations respect privacy rights and remain within legal boundaries.