By Sean Dougan
A few days ago, I spoke with a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces who was frustrated by a comment suggesting that “people only join the military when they have nothing better to do with their time.”
That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. The men and women of our military sacrifice life, limb, and personal freedom to uphold the values of safety, justice, and order in Canada. Their service is not a matter of convenience—it’s a commitment to something greater than themselves.
Today is not about any single member—it’s a celebration of all who serve. To every veteran and active service member: thank you. I salute you.
Canada’s military has a storied history of bravery, resilience, and dedication to peacekeeping and defense. From the battlefields of World War I and World War II to modern-day peacekeeping missions and disaster relief efforts, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have consistently demonstrated their commitment to protecting Canada and supporting global stability.
A History of Valor – Juno Beach
There are moments in history when a nation finds itself, when its character is forged in fire and fury, and when the world takes notice of its resolve. June 6, 1944, was one such moment for Canada. At Juno Beach, in the opening assault of the greatest amphibious invasion in history, Canadian soldiers stormed the shores of Normandy—not as mere participants in a grander effort, but as warriors of a young nation proving its mettle on the world stage.
They came ashore in the face of withering fire, the tide red with the price of freedom, and yet, through sheer tenacity, the Canadians advanced. Against entrenched German defenses, against concrete bunkers and machine-gun nests spitting death, they fought not with hesitation, but with the kind of resolve that would come to define this country. By day’s end, the Canadians had pushed farther inland than any other Allied force, securing a victory that shattered the myth of German invincibility and cemented Canada’s place among the world’s great fighting nations.
But it was more than just a military triumph. It was the unbreakable spirit of a people who, from the quiet farms of Saskatchewan to the fishing villages of Nova Scotia, answered the call not for conquest, but for duty. Theirs was not an empire to expand, but a promise to keep—a promise to stand against tyranny, to liberate the oppressed, and to uphold the values that, even then, made Canada a beacon of hope in a darkened world.
The victory at Juno Beach was not just won with bullets and bravery, but with the hearts of men who believed in something greater than themselves. And so, on that day, Canada did not simply take a beach; it seized its rightful place in history. The world would never again mistake this nation’s quiet dignity for weakness. For on that day, under a grey Norman sky, Canada roared.
Across the quiet fields of France and the solemn landscapes of the Netherlands, monuments stand in silent reverence—etched in stone, cast in bronze, and rooted in the sacred soil of a continent forever changed by the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers. These are not mere memorials to the fallen; they are living testaments to the gratitude of nations liberated by a force that came not as conquerors, but as defenders of freedom.
From the soaring Vimy Ridge Memorial, where Canada first came of age in the crucible of the Great War, to the simple yet profound maple leaf headstones that dot the cemeteries of Normandy, these sites speak of a bond that cannot be broken. The people of Europe remember. They remember the young men from Halifax, Winnipeg, and Vancouver who crossed an ocean to fight in battles not of their making, yet wholly embraced as their duty. They remember the Canadians who freed the Dutch from the suffocating grip of occupation, who shared their rations with starving children, and who left behind not just their blood, but their compassion.
These monuments, these places of quiet reflection, do more than honour the past—they solidify relationships that endure to this day. In the streets of Bergen op Zoom and the rolling hills of Dieppe, Canadian flags still wave, not out of formality, but out of an enduring respect. Generations later, Dutch families tend to the graves of Canadian soldiers as if they were their own sons. Schoolchildren in Normandy learn the names of the men who stormed Juno Beach, ensuring that their sacrifices are never lost to time.
Canada’s legacy in Europe is not merely written in history books; it is etched in the hearts of those who were freed. And so, through stone and steel, through parades and poppies, the message remains: the sacrifice was seen, the gift of liberty was cherished, and the bond between Canada and the lands it once saved will never be forgotten.
Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Missions
In a world often defined by conflict, Canada has forged a reputation not merely as a warrior nation, but as a guardian of peace. Where others have sought conquest, Canada has sought stability. Where others have looked away, Canadians have stepped forward. And nowhere is this more evident than in the mountains and valleys of Bosnia, where Canadian peacekeepers stood between warring factions and, through sheer resolve, prevented bloodshed on a staggering scale.
During the brutal Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s, Canada played a decisive role in one of the greatest humanitarian interventions in modern history. The country had long embraced peacekeeping as a sacred duty, but in Bosnia, that commitment was tested as never before. Under the United Nations banner, Canadian troops found themselves not in the sterile calm of diplomacy, but in the violent chaos of ethnic war—a war that saw civilians massacred, villages burned, and a once-thriving nation torn apart by hatred.
It was in the besieged town of Medak in 1993 that Canadian forces, part of the UN Protection Force, found themselves facing a grim reality. Serbian forces had overrun the area, executing one of the most horrific ethnic cleansing campaigns of the war. As Canadian peacekeepers moved in to secure the ceasefire, they were met with something no peacekeeping force had experienced before—direct hostility from an entrenched military power. The Croatian army, defying international agreements, attempted to push back the Canadians with heavy fire. But they did not yield.
For 15 hours, Canadian troops, vastly outnumbered, held the line. Through superior training, discipline, and a refusal to be intimidated, they forced the Croatians to back down. And when the smoke cleared, what lay beyond the barricades was a horror few could have imagined—executed civilians, mutilated bodies, homes still smoldering from the fires of war. It was a scene meant to be erased, buried beneath the silence of destruction. But because Canada had stood its ground, the truth was exposed, and the world was forced to reckon with the atrocities unfolding in the Balkans.
The Battle of Medak Pocket remains one of the most significant and underappreciated victories in Canadian military history—not because of the number of enemies defeated, but because of the lives saved and the message sent: Canada would not stand idly by while the innocent perished. This was not just peacekeeping; this was the defense of humanity itself.
Through missions in Rwanda, Cyprus, and East Timor, Canadian peacekeepers have continued to prove that their role is not symbolic, but vital. In places where chaos threatened to consume the innocent, the presence of the Maple Leaf has meant protection, hope, and the promise that even in the darkest of times, there are those who will stand for peace.
Criticisms of the Canadian Military
Once, the Canadian Armed Forces stood as a symbol of courage, honor, and duty—an institution that fought not for conquest, but for the values of justice and peace. But today, that image is tarnished, not by the enemy abroad, but by the shadows creeping within. The same institution that once defended the dignity of nations now faces accusations of betrayal—not against foreign adversaries, but against its own people.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the disturbing revelation of military psychological operations targeting Canadian civilians—an overreach so brazen, so antithetical to the principles of democracy, that it shakes the very foundation of trust between the armed forces and the citizens they swore to protect. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reports surfaced of the military’s “Information Operations” initiative—an Orwellian experiment in mass influence, using tactics developed for warzones against the very people funding their existence. Designed without the knowledge or approval of elected officials, this program sought to manipulate public perception, sowing fear and compliance under the guise of crisis response. This was not defense; this was deception.
But this is only the latest chapter in a growing history of institutional failures. The military is hemorrhaging personnel, plagued by recruitment shortages, equipment failures, and a leadership so entangled in scandal that public confidence has eroded to an all-time low. Veterans, once revered as the backbone of this country, are now met with indifference, bureaucratic stonewalling, and even whispers of assisted suicide as a “solution” to their suffering. The message is clear: those who served with honor are expendable when they become inconvenient.
And what of Canada’s defense readiness? The world grows more volatile by the day, yet our military remains underfunded, underequipped, and seemingly uninterested in meeting the demands of modern warfare. Our allies question our commitment, our enemies see an opening, and those in power offer little more than empty platitudes while procurement scandals and failed projects stack higher than the very weapons we lack.
Canada was once a nation that stood proudly on the world stage, its military respected not for its size, but for its integrity. But today, the trust between the armed forces and the people is fraying. The CAF is no longer just struggling to defend the country—it is struggling to justify its own existence. If it cannot protect Canadians from corruption within, how can it possibly be trusted to protect them from threats beyond?
Honoring Those Who Serve and Have Served
Canada’s military personnel—both past and present—deserve our deepest gratitude. The courage, resilience, and sacrifices made by these men and women ensure the safety and freedom of our nation. Initiatives such as Remembrance Day, the Highway of Heroes, and the Invictus Games remind us of the immense appreciation Canadians have for their service.
Yet, honoring their legacy requires more than just ceremonies and symbols—it demands action. While our military has built a proud tradition of excellence, it is no secret that the Canadian Armed Forces face serious challenges today. Recruitment shortages, outdated equipment, and institutional failures have tested the trust between the military and the public it serves. The scandals, mismanagement, and mistreatment of veterans have overshadowed the sacrifices made by those in uniform, leaving many to ask: is Canada doing right by those who defend it?
As we celebrate the accomplishments of the CAF, we must also recognize the urgent need for reform. Supporting our troops means more than words—it means ensuring they have the resources, leadership, and respect they deserve. It means advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of service members and veterans, holding leadership accountable, and rebuilding a military that truly reflects the values it was meant to uphold.
Canada’s military has played a vital role in shaping our history—from battlefield triumphs to peacekeeping missions and disaster relief efforts. As Canadians, we have much to be proud of, but pride alone is not enough. If we are to honor those who serve, we must demand a military that is strong, ethical, and worthy of the sacrifices made in its name. Their commitment to Canada has never wavered—now it’s time for Canada to show the same commitment in return.