‘You should be ashamed’: MP responds to Hegseth post about Vernon Cadet officers
Canadian MP Scott Anderson has publicly criticized U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for mocking Canadian cadet officers in an online post. The incident has sparked significant backlash, with Canadian officials calling the behavior beneath the dignity of the U.S. office.
Why it matters
The incident highlights growing diplomatic friction between the U.S. and Canada following the breakdown of recent trade negotiations.
Scott Anderson, MP for Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee, has a message for Pete Hegseth: “Canadians and Americans should have no problem with each other, but I have a problem with you.”
Anderson’s comments come in response to the U.S. defense secretary’s attempt to mock the Canadian military online by posting a picture of Cadet officers on X.
“You, sir, are the Secretary of War for the strongest nation on earth, and with that title comes a level of responsibility and decorum,” Anderson said.
“You have chosen to set both aside and insult two female Canadian non-combatants and to intentionally shame them before millions. You should be ashamed.”
On Tuesday, Hegseth posted an image from the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, depicting two young women in uniform with the caption “this is real” alongside a Canadian flag.
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