The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) issued an apology on Thursday for the racial discrimination and harassment faced by current and former members during their service. Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann made the apology in Ottawa.
Carignan expressed regret for the systemic barriers that Indigenous, Black, Asian, and other racialized members encountered within the CAF, leading to mistreatment and abuse. She admitted to the failure of not fostering an inclusive environment for these individuals to serve with pride and determination, expressing sorrow for the prolonged silence and indifference.
The CAF has pledged to eliminate systemic barriers, address biases at all levels, and incorporate awareness of systemic racism into recruitment and training processes to ensure a future free of racism within the organization.
McCann followed Carignan’s apology by acknowledging the dedication of members who gave their best to the institution and the country, emphasizing that they deserved better treatment.
During the ceremony, retired military members from Indigenous, Black, and Asian communities emphasized the need for tangible and lasting change beyond mere apologies. Wendy Jocko, a retired sergeant and former chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, highlighted the historical struggles faced by Indigenous military personnel due to systemic racism within the CAF. She called for transformative and meaningful changes to address past injustices.
Jocko honored the courage of current and former CAF members who have experienced racism, assuring them that their service is valued and their voices have played a crucial role in prompting this moment of accountability.
The ceremony also featured speeches from retired captain Kevin Junor discussing anti-Black racism and retired lieutenant-commander Albert Wong addressing the challenges endured by the Asian community within the military. They referenced the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel’s final report on systemic racism in Canada, emphasizing the need for systemic reform.
The Department of National Defence and the CAF conducted consultations earlier this year with members and experts, leading to a call for concrete actions following the apology, ongoing dialogue, and enhanced training and education initiatives within the CAF.