Top Canadian general gives teary-eyed apology for "systemic racism" in the military

Canada’s top soldier apologized through tears to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who faced racial discrimination and harassment, stating the institution “failed” them.

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Canada’s top soldier apologized through tears to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who faced racial discrimination and harassment, stating the institution “failed” them.

CAF Chief of Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann issued the apology in Ottawa on Thursday.

“For way too long, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, Asian and other racialized members of the CAF faced systemic barriers that limited their ability to serve, contribute and thrive as equal members and too often mistreated and even abused at the hands of their fellow members,” Carignan said, tearing up.

“I acknowledge we failed you… We didn’t create an environment where you could serve your country to the highest level with pride and determination and I’m sorry for the silence, indifference and that this went on for years.”

She added that the CAF remains committed to eliminating systemic barriers through “a difficult journey of reflection, self-awareness, of understanding and allyship.”

“Racism has no place in the CAF. It cannot be tolerated and it has no place in our future,” Carignan said.

The CAF and the Department of National Defence (DND) held consultations with military members and academic experts earlier this year to uncover biases within the organizations.

Following these consultations, the CAF concluded it must issue a formal apology and pledged ongoing conversations, member training, and education.

Retired military members from various minority communities also attended the event, with several speaking.

“An apology, while necessary, is only the beginning,” said retired sergeant and former chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Wendy Jocko.

Retired captain Kevin Junor said many CAF members are “caught between a sense of pride in service and the pain of exclusion and misunderstanding” due to racism against Black members.

Retired lieutenant-commander Albert Wong also addressed the difficulties endured by the Asian community.

According to Wong, the CAF’s apology “gives promise that the scars from racism endured by this remarkable group of warriors and others like them will no longer be invisible.”

Governor General Mary Simon also commented, stating that Canadians are “learning that our past is not without its shadows.”

“But we are having the hard conversations about the wrongs done to Indigenous people who served Canada. And we are acknowledging the injustices faced by Black and other racialized people who have defended the freedoms and values we cherish,” Simon said in a statement.

The apology comes three years after the DND published its finalreport on systemic racism and discrimination in 2022, which stated, “Racism in Canada is not a glitch in the system; it is the system.”