Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff Expresses Concerns about Security Readiness
In an interview at the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre stated that Canada has a lot of work to do in order to face the declining security situation around the world. Eyre expressed his deep concern about Canada’s readiness, citing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and the Gaza Strip, as well as rising tensions with India and China, as unprecedented security threats that require immediate attention.
Eyre emphasized that Canada cannot afford to be insular and that events around the world can directly impact its security. He believes that Canada’s history in past wars, its current security troubles, and the conflicts happening globally should prompt significant reflection.
Thousands of Canadians attended the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa to honor the military servicemen and women who have risked their lives. This past year, the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to battle domestic disasters, including historic wildfires that caused widespread destruction. However, as Canada reflects on these events, it also pays tribute to those who have fought in battles around the world, such as in the Second World War, the Korean War, and more recent conflicts like Afghanistan.
Eyre highlighted that more than one million Canadians served in the Second World War, with over 45,000 casualties and 55,000 wounded. He also mentioned the 33,000 Canadians who fought in the Korean War. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are still 9,267 living veterans from these wars.
The national Remembrance Day ceremony was presided over by Governor General Mary Simon, who is Canada’s commander-in-chief. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, also attended the ceremony. Petitpas-Taylor emphasized the need for Veterans Affairs services to evolve to meet the challenges faced by modern veterans, including mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the increasing demand for long-term care services as Baby Boomers age.
Trudeau encouraged Canadians to wear poppies and observe two minutes of silence to honour those who have fought, as well as troops involved in peacekeeping missions and those training Ukrainian soldiers. He recognized the courageous response of the Canadian Armed Forces in times of need and acknowledged the sacrifices made by service members and their families.
During the ceremony, Gloria Hooper from St. Claude, Man., who lost her son in uniform, was named the Silver Cross Mother and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of all parents who have lost a child in service. She paid tribute to her son, Sapper Chris Holopina, who served in Bosnia as part of Operation Alliance.
The Remembrance Day ceremony coincides with the 75th anniversary of Canada’s first peacekeeping mission, which took place in the Middle East and involved monitoring the truce between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Canada’s participation in peacekeeping missions began in 1954 in Cambodia, and the country has since been involved in numerous missions, with the longest-lasting from 1964 to 1993 in Cyprus.
A separate ceremony honoring Indigenous veterans took place at the Aboriginal Veterans Monument.
Please note that this article is based on information from The Canadian Press and Global News’ reporters David Akin and Bryan Mullan.
Source: Global News
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