The Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, have issued the following statement:
"Canadians share a deep and enduring respect for all those who have served our country in uniform. As our understanding of military service continues to evolve, so too must our efforts to recognize the diverse experiences, contributions, and sacrifices of those who answered the call in more recent generations.
"The character of war and military service has changed significantly since the First World War, the Second World War, and the Korean War. Today's service members operate in increasingly complex environments that can include counter-terrorism missions, deterrence activities, humanitarian responses, multinational deployments, and peace support operations. While the nature of service may have changed, Canada's gratitude has not.
"Our government remains committed to ensuring that members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, their families, and all Canadians continue important conversations about service, sacrifice, and recognition. Meaningful commemoration must reflect not only our history, but also the experiences of those who served in more recent deployments.
"In the coming months, the Government of Canada will develop a process to consult with Veterans, serving members, stakeholders, historians, and experts to examine potential criteria for the review and classification of past conflicts and military operations. This work will help future decisions be deliberate, transparent, and reflective of the experiences of those who served.
"We would like to thank Senator Yussuff for advancing Bill S-246 and for helping foster a thoughtful national discussion on how Canada recognizes military service and operational deployments. Veterans Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have been examining this issue as part of ongoing efforts to appropriately recognize military service and sacrifice.
"As Veterans' Week approaches and Canadians prepare to gather on Remembrance Day, we encourage all Canadians to reflect on the service and sacrifices of those who have worn, and who continue to wear, the uniform. The story of Canada is inseparable from the story of those who served, and we will continue working to ensure their contributions are recognized and remembered for generations to come.
"Lest we forget."
