Former Canadian soldier fined $4K, given severe reprimand for anti-vax videos

A former Canadian soldier and veteran of the wars in Bosnia and Afghanistan was fined $4,000 and given a severe reprimand Thursday for publicly defying the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Armed Forces members.

A former Canadian soldier and veteran of the wars in Bosnia and Afghanistan was fined $4,000 and given a severe reprimand Thursday for publicly defying the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Armed Forces members.

James Topp, a 53-year-old former warrant officer, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline for posting two videos on social media in which he criticized the military's vaccine requirements while in uniform.

Military prosecutor Maj. Ben Richard argued Topp's actions came "very close to the legal definition of mutiny," and could have triggered protests reminiscent of the attack on the United States Capitol in January 2021.

He accused the former soldier of trying to undermine the federal government when he made the videos in February 2022, and asked the military judge for "a robust sentence" of a severe reprimand and a $5,200 fine.

Defence lawyer Phillip Millar countered Topp should be granted either an absolute discharge from the military or a minimal fine, saying his client's decision-making was misguided by emotional and financial turmoil when he appeared in the videos. "He was not a bad soldier," Millar told the court. "He made an error, but for the right reasons."