CTV News has learned the Scouts Canada leader who gave the okay for troops to be used in a photo-op alongside Conservative Leader Stephen Harper was a known Conservative supporter.

Victoria's Bruce Hallsor confirmed he encouraged his troop to dress in uniform for a campaign stop in Campbell River Friday, where Harper pledged $15-million to restore and conserve B.C.’s salmon ecosystems.

That prompted Scouts Canada to issue a stern warning on social media reminding members of the organization’s non-partisan roots.

“Scouts Canada members are not permitted to attend political events in uniforms, we are non-partisan!” it tweeted.

A spokesman for Scouts Canada confirmed its policies “prohibit participating by our members in any political events.”

“We are trying to get to the bottom of how this appearance by our youth members came about, as it was not sanctioned by Scouts Canada or our British Columbia Councils,” said spokesman John Petitti.

It isn't the first time Hallsor has greeted Harper with a scout troop. In January 2014, the leader and his troop met the Prime Minister at a Shell Aerocentre in North Saanich. That meeting was not during a political election campaign.

Hallsor confirmed he told troops to dress in uniform for Friday's event, but said he did not believe there was a non-partisan policy in place.

He added he wouldn't have done it had he known about the policy.

Hallsor also confirmed he's a member of the Conservative Party and has co-chaired campaigns in the past, but is not chairing any campaign in the 2015 federal election.

Contacted for a comment, the Conservative Party responded to the controversy with the statement "We welcome the participation of all who attended to support the Prime Minister's proven leadership in keeping our economy strong and Canadians safe."