The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) issued an apology on Thursday for the racial discrimination and harassment experienced by current and former members during their service. Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann delivered the apology in Ottawa. Carignan expressed regret for the systemic barriers faced by Indigenous, Black, Asian, and other racialized CAF members, acknowledging the failure to provide an inclusive environment for their service. She emphasized the commitment to eliminating systemic barriers, addressing biases, and integrating awareness of systemic racism into recruitment and training to ensure a future free of racism within the CAF.
Following Carignan’s apology, McCann thanked the members for their dedication and emphasized that they deserved better treatment. Retired military personnel from Indigenous, Black, and Asian communities also shared their perspectives during the ceremony. Wendy Jocko, a retired sergeant and former chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, highlighted the need for meaningful and lasting change beyond mere apologies. Jocko, who served in the CAF for 23 years, emphasized the historical challenges faced by Indigenous soldiers, including systemic racism within the institution they served.
Jocko also recognized the sacrifices made by Indigenous soldiers throughout history and called for genuine transformation within the CAF. The ceremony featured speeches from other retired military members, including Captain Kevin Junor and Lieutenant-Commander Albert Wong, who addressed anti-Black racism and challenges faced by the Asian community, respectively. Junor referred to a report stating that racism is entrenched in Canada’s systems, while Wong expressed hope that the apology would bring visibility to the scars of racism experienced by military personnel.
Consultation sessions held by the Department of National Defence and the CAF earlier in the year emphasized the importance of taking action beyond apologies, including ongoing dialogue, training, and education within the military to address systemic racism effectively. The CAF is committed to implementing measures to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment for all its members.
