Prior to his recent arrest for allegedly sharing sensitive information with a foreign entity, a member of Canadian military intelligence was involved in a prolonged internal dispute with superiors, according to CBC News. Master Warrant Officer Matthew Robar faced disciplinary action by the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command starting in October 2024, resulting in a reprimand last spring.
Robar, stationed at the military’s headquarters in Ottawa, was charged with eight offenses under the National Defence Act, including communicating “special operational information” to a foreign entity. He is currently held in military police custody at Garrison Petawawa after being arrested twice.
The Department of National Defence has not disclosed details about the case, and Robar was provided limited information about the allegations against him. His security clearance was not renewed in spring 2025, leading to an internal grievance. Robar’s lawyer criticized the lack of transparency in disclosing the alleged misconduct.
The Defense Department stated that Robar has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces since 2001 and has been on administrative duties since 2024. Fowler, Robar’s lawyer, argued that the matter was initially handled administratively and turned into a criminal case after Robar contested his treatment.
The Defense Department mentioned that if the case proceeds, it will be tried before a military court martial. Military law expert Michel Drapeau suggested that handling the case internally could limit public scrutiny compared to an open court trial.
