Listening to a Speech by Canadian Army Major Stephen Chledowski on Youtube, my first reaction was "This can't be real!" Scanning various media reports, I confirmed that Stephen Chledowski is, in fact, an active military officer and he has not denied or recanted the content of the video recording of his speech. Chledowski is openly guilty of mutiny and sedition. Under military law, a recommended punishment is life in prison, yet everyone I have read reacting to his speech--online commentators, military spokesperson, reporters, etc--implies that he is likely to receive a slap on the wrist. Have we all become so removed from reality and the law?
Dear readers, I don't think I can pare this down to make it more easily digestible. It's pretty straightforward. Here are the relevant sections of the military Code of Service Discipline, Part III of the National Defence Act. Read the law; then listen to Chledowski's speech. My interpretation is that a major in the Canadian forces is inciting his fellow soldiers and the police of Canada to overthrow the Government of Canada. I'm not trying to express an opinion or make a recommendation here. Here is the evidence (the video linked above) and here (below) is the law: Please tell me what I'm missing.
Mutiny
Mutiny with violence
79 Every person who joins in a mutiny that is accompanied by violence is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.
- R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 79
- 1998, c. 35, s. 28
Mutiny without violence
80 Every person who joins in a mutiny that is not accompanied by violence is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years or to less punishment or, in the case of a ringleader of the mutiny, to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.
- R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 80
- 1998, c. 35, s. 28
Offences related to mutiny
81 Every person who
(a) causes or conspires with any other person to cause a mutiny,
(b) endeavours to persuade any person to join in a mutiny,
(c) being present, does not use his utmost endeavours to suppress a mutiny, or
(d) being aware of an actual or intended mutiny, does not without delay inform his superior officer thereof,
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.
- R.S., c. N-4, s. 71
Seditious Offences
Advocating governmental change by force
82 Every person who publishes or circulates any writing, printing or document in which is advocated, or who teaches or advocates, the use, without the authority of law, of force as a means of accomplishing any governmental change within Canada is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.
- R.S., c. N-4, s. 72
Insubordination
Disobedience of lawful command
83 Every person who disobeys a lawful command of a superior officer is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.
- R.S., c. N-4, s. 73
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