Military police are confirming the death of a soldier at Canadian Forces Base Borden days after it happened but are releasing no details about the tragedy.
The soldier died on Monday while receiving training at the base near Barrie, Ont., but the authorities did not announce the death until the media made inquiries.
On Thursday afternoon, military police responded to The Globe and Mail’s questions by confirming the death. But they said they have launched a probe into the circumstances that precludes them from saying anything more.
“We’ve definitely provided as much information as we can at this time. We’ll have more information coming,” said Lieutenant-Commander Melanie Aqiqi of the Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal. “There is a military police investigation actively under way that is looking into all of the fact and details.”
She would not say whether there were any individuals under scrutiny. Nor would she speak to the nature of what is being investigated.
LCdr. Aqiqi declined to answer questions about the cause of death, beyond saying that “there was no active shooter in this instance and there was never a risk to public safety.” She would not say whether there could have been an inadvertent shooting.
The military says that owing to a request from the next of kin, the deceased person’s name is not being released publicly at this time.
Defence Minister Bill Blair released a statement late Thursday through his spokesman, Simon Lafortune.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of a Canadian Armed Forces member at CFB Borden,” Mr. Blair’s statement said. “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, as well as the entire CFB Borden community.”