Canadian officials have criticized a recent social media post by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, which appears to mock members of Canada's cadet youth program. Hegseth shared an image from a local training branch's social media page showing a young cadet receiving an award from her instructor. He added a Canadian flag emoji and the caption "this is real," which some have interpreted as a disparaging comment on Canada's military, focusing on the pair's appearance. The post has sparked controversy and backlash from Canadian leaders and organizations. Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty called the post "below the dignity of the office," emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The current trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada has already been marked by a series of verbal exchanges, with the Trump administration accusing Canada of relying on American military strength for its defense. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that trade discussions would only resume when the U.S. stops making "memes" and "throwing shade" and instead approaches negotiations in good faith. The Pentagon has said that Hegseth's post "speaks for itself," but the Canadian military and its supporters have strongly condemned the remarks. The national cadet program, which is run by the military, provides leadership and skills training to youth aged 12 to 18. The Army Cadet League of Canada, a civilian organization that supports the program, expressed its disapproval of any online harassment or mockery of cadets' achievements, calling such behavior unacceptable, especially toward young people striving to improve themselves and serve their communities. Canada's top military commander, General Jennie Carignan, has been in contact with the cadets involved and is consulting with them on how they wish to respond. Scott Anderson, a Conservative member of parliament and former military reservist, criticized Hegseth for failing to uphold the "responsibility and decorum" expected of his position, calling his actions an insult to two Canadian non-combatants. Meanwhile, some pundits and Canadians accused Hegseth of "body-shaming" in his post. Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. collapsed last month, with both sides accusing each other of making last-minute demands that derailed a potential agreement. The U.S. has imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion (C$28 billion) of Canadian imports, and Canada plans to introduce similar countermeasures soon. While the two nations have exchanged sharp words—such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford calling former U.S. President Trump a "loser" and the U.S. seeking to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America—they remain long-standing defense partners and allies. Canada has also increased its defense spending in recent months, aiming to meet NATO targets after years of falling short. Hegseth, a U.S. military veteran, has faced scrutiny at home following the departure of several high-profile military leaders from the Pentagon and concerns about the U.S. approach to the Iran conflict. He has long emphasized the appearance and physical fitness of U.S. troops, promoting what he calls the "warrior ethos."