The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) issued an official 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 First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, Asian, and other racialized members within the CAF. She acknowledged the failure to provide an inclusive environment that allowed all members to serve with pride and dedication. Carignan emphasized the commitment of the CAF to dismantle systemic barriers, address biases, and incorporate awareness of systemic racism into recruitment and training processes.
McCann followed Carignan’s apology by acknowledging the dedication of the affected members to the institution and the country, stating that they deserved better treatment.
Retired military personnel from Indigenous, Black, and Asian communities participated in the ceremony, emphasizing the need for profound and lasting change beyond mere apologies. Wendy Jocko, a retired sergeant from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, highlighted the historical struggles faced by Indigenous soldiers and their families due to systemic racism within the military.
Jocko called for transformative change and recognized the resilience of those who have experienced racism within the CAF. She emphasized that the apology was a significant step towards addressing past injustices.
The ceremony also featured speeches from retired captain Kevin Junor, who discussed anti-Black racism, and retired lieutenant-commander Albert Wong, who spoke about the challenges faced by the Asian community. They echoed the sentiments of the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination’s final report, stating that racism is deeply entrenched in the Canadian system.
The Department of National Defence and the CAF conducted consultations with members and experts earlier this year, resulting in a call for concrete actions, ongoing dialogues, and enhanced training within the military following the apology.