OTTAWA - The Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada formally apologized on Thursday for the military's history of racial discrimination. General Jennie Carignan delivered an emotional speech to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in Ottawa, expressing regret for the experiences of those who faced racial discrimination within the service.

"We all know that an apology that is not accompanied by a tangible effort to address our failures, to remedy wrongs … would be hollow and without real meaning," Carignan stated. She emphasized the military's commitment to eliminating systemic barriers that hinder participation in military service for racialized members.

Carignan described the apology as a significant step in a long journey toward eradicating discrimination, racism, and harassment in the military. She asserted that the CAF will not tolerate any backlash against efforts to promote inclusivity, stating, "Racism has no place in the Canadian Armed Forces."

The apology comes in the wake of a class-action lawsuit that highlighted systemic discrimination within the military. The settlement from this lawsuit, which covers incidents from 1985 to January of this year, amounts to up to $150 million, with individual payments ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 for affected members.

In her speech, Carignan noted, "It is under the shadow of ignorance regarding systemic racism that individual racist activity and attitudes flourish. We will not accept excuses that undermine real change."

The planning for this historic apology took over a year, with officials focused on ensuring that the event did not re-traumatize victims of discrimination. A media advisory from the Department of National Defence indicated that the CAF was taking a trauma-informed approach to the ceremony, which could evoke strong emotional responses from participants. As a result, media were not allowed in the room during the event.

Originally scheduled for March, the apology was postponed to avoid conflicts with other events and to ensure it was delivered thoughtfully. Internal documents revealed concerns about the public environment and the timing of the apology, noting that the evolving situation made March 2025 a challenging timeline for the event.

This apology marks a pivotal moment for the Canadian military as it seeks to address its past and foster a more inclusive environment for all service members.