26 July 2025

Here’s something to think about while you’re drinking your morning coffee. Since SVC stood up over 12 years ago, there have been dozens of convictions under s419 of the Criminal Code of Canada that we’ve played a significant role in. www.stolenvalour.ca

Contrary to popular belief and likely influenced by the largely ineffective US Stolen Valor laws*, Canada’s s419 of the Criminal Code does not require a tangible / financial gain in order to lay charges.

Until 2019 s419 contained a reverse onus provision meaning the individual had to prove their entitlement to medals/insignia, uniforms and documents.

Since the last revision of s419, the reverse onus provision was removed and the “flash to bang time” from the alleged offence to being charged was increased from 6 months to 12 months which provides the authorities the time to conduct a full investigation and obtain military service records.

How the police chose to deal with these files are based on departmental caseloads, higher priority files, budget constraints, lack of knowledge regarding Canada’s “stolen valour law” and crown prosecutor approval.

In our experience, a successful conviction is usually results from tenacious police officers who have legitimate military service and understand the effort required to earn medals and insignia.

Sadly, we’ve had several large police departments tell us that stolen valour was a matter for the Military Police to investigate. Here’s a news flash, it’s not a military issue, unless it occurs within the MP’s very limited jurisdiction.

The vast majority of posers, fakes and embellishers showcased on our platforms are narcissists who stand in the blood of our wounded and fallen. All that matters to these self entitled toe rags is having their egos stroked by a naively appreciative and gullible public. They couldn’t give a rat’s ass about actual service or sacrifice associated with the military themed costumes they wear.

The US perspective on Stolen Valor.

*Under current U.S. law, wearing unearned military medals or devices is generally protected as free speech—as long as the person is not doing so to defraud or profit from the deception.

Here’s the legal journey that led to this:

The Stolen Valor Act of 2006

Originally made it a crime to falsely claim military honors, including wearing medals not earned.

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in United States v. Alvarez, ruling that the law violated the First Amendment. The Court emphasized that false statements alone aren’t criminal unless they cause harm or are used to defraud.

The Revised Stolen Valor Act of 2013

Congress responded by passing a narrower version.

It criminalizes lying about military service only when done to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits.

Simply wearing medals without having earned them—without intent to profit—is no longer illegal in the US.