Canadian Army Welcomes New Honorary Colonel

News Release

November 24, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, PC, OMM, MSM, CD, MP, has appointed Mr. Paul Hindo as the next Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army. His appointment follows Honorary Colonel Blake Goldring’s tenure as Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army for the past six years.

Mr. Hindo was born in Iraq, immigrated to Montreal in 1972, and is both a prominent member of the Ottawa business community and a top ranking international executive. He has been the Honorary Colonel of The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own) since 2009, and prior to this time was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration for his service as a Primary Reservist with The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada. Mr. Hindo will assume the role of Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army on December 1, 2017.

Honorary Colonel Goldring was the first to hold the title of Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army and has served 12 years as an honorary (six years as Honorary Colonel of CA and six years as Honorary Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Canada). Honorary Colonel Goldring strengthened the relationship between the Canadian Army and major stakeholders while fostering a robust esprit de corps across the entire Canadian Army.

Honorary Colonels are vital to fostering esprit de corps within their communities. Through their established relationships and reputations, they build and develop community support by enhancing the public profile of the Army. Honorary Colonels are seen to be guardians of Army traditions and history, promoting regimental identity and ethos, and supporting commanders in various ways.

Quotes

“I would like to offer my personal thanks to Honorary Colonel Goldring for his distinguished service to the Canadian Army for the past six years. His dedication to, and passion and support for the members of the Canadian Army will be sorely missed. I would also like to offer a warm welcome to the Canadian Army’s newest Honorary Colonel, Mr. Paul Hindo. I am certain he too will prove to be a worthy ambassador for the Canadian Army.”

— Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister 

“My heartfelt thanks to Honorary Colonel Goldring for supporting the Canadian Army for 12 years, six of them as Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army. He has steadfastly and routinely proven himself to be an enthusiastic and tireless advocate for the men and women who serve in the Canadian Army. His support to Canada’s military personnel and their families both at home and abroad continues through his work as founder and Chairman of Canada Company. I am confident that Honorary Colonel Hindo will represent the Canadian Army with the same high level of energy and dedication.”

— Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, Commander Canadian Army

Quick Facts

  • The Canadian tradition of appointing prominent and influential Canadians as Honoraries to military units has been a Government of Canada practice for over a century.

  • The position of Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army has a number of responsibilities including, but not limited to: fostering esprit de corps throughout the Army; advising the Commander of the Canadian Army on matters of significance to the Army, including Army charities, organizations and memorials; liaising with Army units; and strengthening the Army’s relationship with major stakeholders.

  • The Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army also participates in various ceremonial events to raise greater awareness of the important work that the Army and its soldiers do, and to showcase this work to Canadians.

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Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353

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