October 30, 2025 - Ottawa - Canadian Armed Forces

Today, General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Chief Warrant Officer, delivered a formal apology to all current and former CAF members and their families who have experienced systemic racism, racial discrimination, and racial harassment in connection to their military service.

The apology was delivered at a ceremony in Ottawa, Ontario, to acknowledge the CAF's challenges in fostering a workplace where every person is treated with respect and fairness. This apology is part of the CAF's continued responsibility to address the harm caused by systemic racism and to work toward meaningful and lasting change.

This apology is not the end of the CAF's work. It is part of a sustained institutional effort to dismantle systemic barriers, address biases at every level, and to create a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace for all CAF members.    

This apology was an important, necessary, and solemn moment and could evoke strong emotional responses and/or cause trauma to resurface. Should current and former CAF members and their families require support, they can access a range of support services.