MacKay disgusted by prank calls to military families

Several Canadian military families have been woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call saying their loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice. The military is calling these calls terrible pranks and police want to prosecute the culprit.

CTV Edmonton: Serena Mah on the traumatic calls

A prank phone caller has apparently informed the loved ones of soldiers serving in Afghanistan that the soldier has either died or been injured while on duty. One Edmonton soldier opens up to CTV News saying the bogus news was delivered to his wife.

CTV Montreal: Cindy Sherwin on crank calls

The relatives of at least three soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been called and told their loved one had been killed in combat. These prank calls seem to be targeting military families. The military stressed they never deliver the death of a loved one by phone.

CTV News Channel: Peter MacKay outraged

Defence Minister Peter MacKay is outraged that someone has been calling military families with false reports of loved ones being killed in Afghanistan. Authorities are now investigating the disturbing prank.

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Defence Minister Peter MacKay expresses his disgust over the prank calls on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Nov. 24 2010 8:36 PM ET

Defence Minister Peter MacKay expressed his disgust on Wednesday toward the people responsible for calling military families with false reports of loved ones being killed in Afghanistan.

"I can't tell you how deplorable and despicable an act this is. To put those families through that stress is just disgusting in every stretch of the word," Mackay told reporters in Ottawa.

"If we have sufficient evidence and, working with local police, if we can find those responsible they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

The relatives of at least three soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been called and told their loved one had been killed.

Although only one person has made an official complaint about the prank calls to officials at CFB Valcartier, the military have heard reports of three such calls received last week.

An official at CFB Valcartier says a prankster called one soldier's wife in the middle of the night and told her that her husband had been killed by a bomb on the battlefield.

MacKay said the Canadian Forces will continue working with the families to provide counselling for those who were traumatized by the prank.

"I can't think of anything that is more deplorable than what they were doing," he said.

The military is stressing that such information would never be delivered over the phone.

The calls are currently under investigation by the military.

Anyone with information about the source of the prank calls is asked to call their local police.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

harmonium
said

Just when you think the human race can't get any lower

David
said

Low is not the word, how could someone do this to a Mom, Dad and family of our military. When we catch these scum bags let's make and example of them so it never happens again.

OBSSERVERMAN
said

IGNORE THE PRANK The cruel prank, playing with the emotions of the family members of soldiers serving in Afghanistan, looks like an act of a deranged person or persons. The families of those serving in Afghanistan should ignore these calls as the military never delivers such news over the phone.

Benry
said

Three possibilities on how they got the info: 1. They know the people, either through friends (maybe not directly); 2. They have friends who have access to the info who may have accidentally given them the information; 3. They hacked into a database somewhere and found the info.It's probably a teen, or someone who isn't on good terms with the families being targeted.

cindy-miltary mom
said

wow how sick is this world that we have people like this.

Richard L. Provencher
said

I believe this disgusting person(s) must be caught. Then they should be charged as perpetuating a terrorist activity, because when the soldiers find out about this, it will add to their stress on the battlefield.

Doug # BC
said

To "Proud Wife/Daughter",don't assume all of Canada is apathetic about our troops.There are many of us who care just as much as you do.We hurt just as much when we lose anyone.To many of us they are more like family than just members of the CF. Tough times for families,I know.But while you are closest to them,there are many of us who wished we could know them better. Keep the faith.It's all any of us can really do.As the son of a WWII vet,that's all he would have asked of us.That we cared,and that what he did made a positive difference. PRO PATRIA

SM in Montreal
said

Absolutely Disgusting!

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

I wonder where people's morality has gone in modern times where they do something like this. I wonder if we are getting more cruel as a society.I only wonder how they would know the right numbers to call to get families of military personnel.

Kyle Goodwin
said

This is where the death penalty would be effective... They want someone to be dead i say let them give it a try, this is horrible beyond all recognition

Don Laird
said

The outrageously vicious and obscene nature of this sort of behavior, not to mention the obvious criminality, demands the full co-operation of telephone companies and law enforcement in an immediate investigation to find the guilty party. Once found, the bastards should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and receive the maximum penalties on all charges. The reality is that some family member, in receipt of such news, suffers a heart attack or succumbs to some other injury related to his or her grief.

Disgusted
said

I would love it if they find this coward, give his name and address to those at Valcartier and have them deal with this. POLICE... Look the other way while the CF takes care of their own!

Chris
said

Find them and send them to Afghanistan and don't let them return till its over. Lets see their attitudes when they get back.

Marlene
said

This is beyond disgusting. I hope these guys get what they deserve. Drop them off in a Taliban stronghold to fend for themselves....cowards!!

Glenn C
said

Come on Mckay, this is not rocket science, send a memo to all service families telling them that if anything had happened to a loved one, you would get a visit, not a phone call. To the chumps making those calls, you should be bitterly ashamed, although I doubt you would know the meaning of the word!

Raif Campbell River BC
said

What do you expect from a million idle young boys and girls, out of work, nothing to do. Lots of boredom time to come up with idiotic entertainment such as this. If they are phoning, track them, confront them, conscript them, and when they get to brigade size send them to Afghanistan. Make sure they have a cell phone to call home once a week to see if anyone phoned their mom and dad about their passing. Their posting should be for two years!

B. Kelley, Disgusted in Ontario
said

The sad thing is that when the perp is caught the charge will likely be something like public mischief or some other summary conviction violation. That will put it somewhere in the same level as a speeding fine and will not result in any criminal record. The sick idiot will also likely be entitled to privacy protection and avoid having his/her name published, especially if under 18 years of age. It's truly unfortunate that the individual could not be tried by a military court where they might view the act more seriously than will be the case with some provincial court judge.

Bill in Calgary
said

The sicko who is making those calls will be totally convinced that they have the moral high ground, simply because they feel we should not be engaged in Afghanistan. There is no low that this mouth breather will not sink to. Disgusting to the max!!!

Point Break
said

MacKay has found his voice! What a remarkable recovery!

Proud Navy Wife/Daughter
said

First of all my deepest sympathy to the affected families. Being a spouse and daughter of a serving Navy member, and of course having friend's who serve overseas, I can''t begin to explain the dissappointment and bewilderment in reaction to such a vile activity. Message to the little boys purpertrating these "pranks". You aren't worth the effort my husband and friends put forth sacrificing their lives, for the continuing enjoyment of your small lives. The families of our serving members are the next greatest example of defence through their support. I sincerely hope you are caught and prosecuted, although I doubt it'll get far, since Canada has such apathy in regards to our military & peace keeping operations.

Bob
said

Send whoever is doing this over to Afghanistan for two months I think that might change their perception.

steve in wildrose country
said

That is sick.

Wayne
said

Hey Carl; Unfortunately we will not be able to do much. Especially if it is a young offender. I cannot picture an adult doing this. Dont get me wrong the judge will be able to say whatever they are lead to say, but if it is a young offender, there friends will find them more attractive, cause of their arrogance and definance. They will look remorseful, but if they do not care for morality then what is the sense. I see a lot of comments about sending them to the frontlines; for what? Why would I want to send this type of person to the frontline with self sacrificing courageous personnel? I wouldnt want them their. We need to face the facts, if we look deep enough we will realize that we as a society have created this stupidity. Think of it. Read the news. What usually happens to the majority of people who do stuff like this? HELLO!!! Nothing. Bad boy, bad girl. Then 300 community hours. Woooo thats tough. And who will really pay the price for this? The parents. Remember its all their fault. That is what the majority of Social Service cases concludes.

schpid
said

What makes you think we would want someone like this serving with us? Send his/her loved ones to the battlefield instead. This happened to the families at CFB ESQUIMALT during the first Gulf War as well. If you protest our involvement that's fine but have the parts to call you MP to complain NOT the families of our troops

Kevin Driver
said

Yes Melanie there is a family mission hotline they can call.

Mel
said

Making calls like this is disgusting and it could be a part of the type of harasment and bullying called mobbing and gangstalking.

Tyler, Ont
said

The only word that comes into my mind is disgusting. I'm not for the war but this shouldn't happen to anyone.

John
said

Makes you wish we had public floggings in Canada!

bj
said

When these idiots get caught send them over there in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Why give them a slap on the hand.
Send them over there they will soon learn their lesson.
By serving our country.
As these families over here are suffering from living one day at a time.
Why put them in prison,when their more useful out there where they can do some good.If they come back.
I hope they get caught.

Kay
said

This is a disgusting act, I have a hard time knowing that there are people on this planet who lack any compassion whatsoever. Unfortunately, prank calls aren't against the law as far as I am concerned unless they constitute as harassment. Common decency and compassion cannot be enforced in a court of law, however they can be publicly exposed in the media for their immoral behavior. I hope these families heal from the pain and hurt this person/these people have caused.

Susan Fairbairn
said

Whoever this phone caller is must be one sick puppy to be making these disgusting calls to military families like this when they have enough to deal already. It can only be hoped that the person is caught and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. There also needs to be an investigation as to how the contact information got into the hands of the caller. This is one time when cameras should be allowed in the courtroom for the trial so the entire country can see what kind of scumbag is doing this to Canada's military families.

Vickie - NS
said

I have never been so angry or so disgusted in my life.This is no prank. This is deplorable, unforgiveable and the most selfish act I have ever heard of.

Kim in Ontario
said

After reading this, I'm wondering how this "ass" of a caller got these phone numbers of our service men or how did he know they were deployed. Makes you wonder what information this sick person has....

Melanie Terrace,BC
said

What kind of scum bags are we raising in this country? This is probably the must inhumane act of cruelty I have ever heard in my life.Some fool who will almost certainly never contribute one positive thing to anyone other than himself is probably recognizing that,is unable to deal with how useless he is,so seeks his five minutes of fame by attacking those who are actually in harms way,in part,to defend the rights of people like him.No doubt,if he is caught,he will run up the flag and claim it is his "Charter Right" to freee speech.And even worse,some dim wit lawyer will take up his cause just to make himself famous. Well,I'm from the west.Let's have some good, old fashioned redneck justice for treasonous fools like this.It may seem like a throw back to the previous century,but it wil be effective,and it will make me feel better. BTW.Do military families have a phone number they can call,any time,any day,that would get them in touch with someone who knows what's really going on? If not,why not?? It is way beyond reasonable to expect a spouse or a family to have to wait more than a few minutes to get some accurate information about their loved ones in harms way. Our deep felt sympathies to anyone who got a call from this freak.

Elizabeth, Ontario
said

I agree with Minister MacKay. It's beyond my comprehension how anyone can go so low as to cause additional and undue stress to our military families. Only a seriously sick and deranged person would do such a horrible thing. Hopefully they will be brought to justice.

BABE
said

I am glad that CTV posted this. Hopefully this will never happen again.

MJ
said

This is just disgusting. These men and women are over there fighting and giving there lives for us. Isn't that enough suffering for the family. What a warped moron. How would they feel if someone informed them their loved one has been killed. How do you sleep at night after doing this????????????

Carol in NB
said

This person has absolutely no clue as to what a military family goes through when a loved one is deployed to any conflict - to hear that phone ring is their worst nightmare. This individual obviously has no respect for our brave men and women serving in the CF. I agree with many of the posters - put this pond scum in a uniform and have him/her (and we can't discount that it could be a female) deployed to the front lines to see what actually goes on. If they have an axe to grind with the government regarding our missions, then they are definitely going about it the wrong way. Let me reverse that...this person isn't WORTHY to wear the CF uniform that our soldiers wear proudly. Put him/her in the front lines with nothing but the clothes on his/her back and a pair of flip flops. He/she also doesn't realize that we have what we have because of a soldier...shame shame shame.

Amber
said

Wow, so malicious and ignorant. as the daughter of a soldier who has come home twice from Afghanistan, this almost brings me to tears to think that a person could be so cruel.

Dave in downtown Newington
said

I have absolutely no words that are printable here to describe what I feel for those responsible for this despicable act.....The other downside is what about those poor unfortunates that actually do get the call regarding a loved one killed in action.......they would be left wondering for days if it was a genuine call or a prank call....I cannot even conceive the hell that this would cause.I truly hope that this slime is caught and his picture and address made public, and he is NOT give a wrist slap and a hug by our loving judges who fell he is simply misunderstood....Nail this pond life to the wall!

CYL
said

surely the government can request phone records to those military family phones to trace the callers. Have these callers prosecuted and charged as criminals.

Catwoman 38
said

I am not a Conservative , and never will be, but I agree with McKay on this matter.Pranking anybody about a death in somebody's family is not right.Talk about shallow.

Paul
said

Find them, draft them, put them through basic, put them through battle school, and even when they fail miserably send them over for a five year stint.

Linda in Vancouver
said

OMG.Anyone who would do this is the most dispicable kind of a low life as have ever crawled out from under a rock.A complete waste of skin. I do believe that the military informs families of fallen soldiers in person,and NOT by phone.But if my spouse was serving in the forces,I can barely imagine my horror.This is not a prank,it is extreme cruely,and should be treated exactly that way.It's a "HATE CRIME" if there ever was one. Catch this creap,then send him to Afghanistan to take Timbits and coffee to the men and women on the front lines.Let him try to get there without stepping on an IED. Not everyone in Canada supports this mission the way I do.But we must ALL make it very clear to our military,and their familes,that we ALL value and respect not only those who serve,but the families and friends who give them the strength and courage to serve OUR country. If this is the way "peace-niks: protest a war like this,I can only wonder why they think they are not terrorists themselves. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS,AND ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM.THANK YOU ALL.This family is with you every day.

Peter
said

How would this loser prankster feel if someone called to say his/her family is gone? Would he/she like that?. People like that have nothing better to do with their time. Must be a low member of society doing this.

Scott
said

I have two tours in Afghanistan and I can tell you that it was a difficult time for my family. My Mom and Dad were very worried about me, as well as my wife. I can just imagine how my kids felt. I was in Petawawa when news came back of my good friend who was killed in Afghanistan. Imagine being a 15 year boy in class, and the principal collects you from your class and brings you to the school office. Once at the office you are greeted by your crying mother who explains to you that your father has been killed. That�s how the news of my friend�s death was given to his son. Use your imagination and picture that. It�s a fact folks that there are some individuals that really don�t care about anyone or their feelings in a difficult time. Really something isn�t it? I hope that the identity of the mystery caller is kept under wraps�.I work and train with the best soldiers in the world��..and I would not to upset them in this way. Our families are important to us��whoever is making the phone calls�.stop it now. Pro Patria!

Gregory Boudreau
said

I agree with Ken, we should post the names of these people, and let everyone see who they are, this to me should be tried in a court of law. These people should be made to answer for their nasty deeds. These famlies don't need this added presure, there is enough as it is. Some thing has to be done and fast.

Peter
said

Are we sure they are 'prank' calls? This is a common psycops strategy.

Tim
said

Sound like your typical left wing anti-war anti-anything protester. Remember the dimwits who protested against the World War 2 veterans during their march last year?

kevin Driver
said

Mr. John this is not something military members would do. But this is also not the first time it has happened. before my deployment we were all told of this kind of sick and twisted stuff happening, and to be care what we posted on Facebook or places like that. Also at least I took precautions of informing my family of the procedures the military takes, just because of this sick and twisted stuff.

Doug # BC
said

It's refreshing to see some people who are opposing Canada's involvement in this conflict have the decency to see the cruelty of this kind of a protest.Since I am unsure of what sanctions our brutal system of "injustice" can impose,I agree with those who suggested that this person needs to be caught,and his identifty flashed all over the country. I don't tend to agree that this has to be some kind of an inside job.I do not think it would be difficult to find the names of people currrently serving in the armed forces.Perhaps not all of them,but enough to create this havoc.And if you have a name,computers and the internet make finding addressses and phone numbers a relativey simple task.Even so called unlisted phone numbers are no guarantee of privacy. Hopefully this first rate moron can be found and thoroughly,and very publicy denounced.As to sending him to serve in the CF,while it seems right that he should be facing the hazzards they do,honestly,he'd be more likely to cause more harm to serving members than the sanction would be worth. Just find and identify him.I'm quite sure the public wil give him a message he won't foget any time soon. PRO PATRIA

Max in Vancouver
said

Someone cannot see the difference between a video war game and a real war with real casualties. I'm at a loss to understand the pleasure one person derives from hurting another (usually unknown) human being in this manner. Does listening to someone's grief response create this monster's source of entertainment? Hopefully some incarceration will change the thought pattern. Amazing how low some humans will stoop!

Joseph Hancock
said

What kind of a mindless idiot would do such a thing to people who are already worried about it? This is stupid beyond imagination...

Anne
said

And when they do find the perpetrator(s), and they will, can we PLEASE have swift and decisive punishment, as well as once found guilty, the publication of exactly who these disgusting individuals are.

Lance Usher Capt (ret'd)
said

The only thing that comes to mind is this is a low-life scum-bag who should be caught and as punishment be sent to Afghanistan to stand in front of our soldiers.

rick
said

Where did this individual or group collect their intellegence on the military families with members serving in Afghanistan? Was is gathered domestically or from the theatre of war itself? Not all acts of terrorism involve bombs, bullets and hiding behind old people and babies. These culprits should be prosecuted as war criminals!!!!

Gregoryd
said

Hey this individual needs to be caught. Then the sentence should be that they are made to join the military and be sent to the front lines in Afganistan. Oh ya and they should make sure what they did is common knowledge among our troops. End of problem.This person is not fit to live in the freedom of Canada which our troops fight for everyday. (My opinion)

maria
said

How can someone be so cruel?

CraigW
said

I am firmly against our involvement in this conflict, but if this is a way of protesting, there are better ways.

alexander from Hamilton
said

I can understand if some are against the war, but still this behaviour is wrong.

Paul-Ottawa
said

Posting this monster's name and address is not enough. Enroll him/her into the infantry and send them off to Afghanistan right away.Let's see how funny they think this is after that!

Mr John
said

Unless these calls were all made in the same area or town ,it sounds like it is comming from inside the military its self.
How would this caller or callers have the phone numbers and or know where these particular personal are deployed?
However....we should not be surprised at the meaness and crualty of mankind. :-(

Abiding Citizen
said

The mind boggles at the cowardice of the individual(s) that have done this. Once they are caught let's be sure to lobby for justice to be meted out quickly and without mercy regardless of the age and any other traits of the cowards.

Allan - Angus, ON
said

@Kevin D: "this isn't random, how does someone have the home numbers of military personnel?" I suspect the answer may be: from the soldiers themselves. It isn't too hard to find out the names of people deploying overseas, particularly when people post on FB, Twitter, etc, that they are deploying. Doing a 411 search around the base(s) area using the last names of people (deploying) isn't too hard, especially if the people live in military housing. Also, when some people are interviewed on TV, they (the media) use their names (on screen) and it isn't hard to read their name-tag (on their uniform). When the first units deployed to Afghanistan, the personnel were told not to have their names published if interviewed by the media (and FB didn't even exist then) for PERSEC: personnel security, both of the soldier, and of their family members, due to the potential threat from people opposed to the war, or in this case, some idiot who needs a swift kick to the head with a frozen mukluk. Allan

Ian Ottawa
said

As a husband of a military member in Afghanistan for a year, these types of things disgust me more than usual. The insensitive nature of these cowards is as bad as the scum that lied and scammed donations saying they required cancer treatment but couldn't afford it. They are low enough to walk under a snake.The full extent of the Law is required here.

missmae
said

I agree with Kevin. How did this person find this number? I really hope to god that the person who made this call wasn't military themselves. People should know that the military doesn't make calls, so she should have known right off the bat that it was a crank call and written the number off call display or used *69. I've heard of this happening to others also, but if someone called me I'd tell them off right then and there because there was no padre or mp knocking at my door!! What a jerk, I hope he gets caught.

Riley
said

I'm ASHAMED, among other things, of this so called "Canadian"

Kevin D.
said

this isn't random, how does someone have the home numbers of military personnel?

frank
said

these punk cowards that did this will be found,the technology today will out them,then,as Scott suggested,post their faces on every paper and online so every possible employer and neighbour can see who and what they are hiring and living next to,there are no excuses or words for this act of cowardice punk behaviour.

Redneck Albertan
said

An obviously sick and idiotic thing to do. But just how many families have been contacted and how did this person get the list of who is deployed, where and the family contact numbers? That's the disturbing part.

danya
said

That is simple cruel and discusting.I can't believe someone can be sooo low to do such an act.What is happening to our society these days.

Barry in Ottawa
said

Outstanding Idea Scott !!.. Post there names and picture when they are caught !!!!!......I cant imagine why someone would be so low !!!.....

Jud
said

how can anyone be so ignorant as to make a family suffer more than they are just by knowing that their loved one is in Afaganstan or Iraq fighting for freedom for the people, this is absolutely sickening. I hope they catch this person and give him/her a harsh sentence.

Carl
said

I agree with Minister MacKay, except for one detail: The calls are not 'amora'l; they are downright 'immoral'. 'Despicable' and 'disgusting' certainly apply. I wonder what the lowlife perpetrator of these calls can be charged with if caught.

totaljustice
said

What a disgusting thing to do to a person!!!!! WOW!!!! There really are no words.

Scott
said

Find them, then post their pictures online so future employers can do a google search of their names and find out what they did.

Richard
said

That's sick. How can a human being be so cruel? I sure hope they'll catch the personne responsible for those terrible actions!

LIsainNS
said

That is deplorable!

Military Wife
said

That is just disgusting. Living each day when a loved one is overseas is hard enough without having to deal with an idiot who has nothing better to do with his time than that.

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