Canadian Armed Forces to apologize for history of systemic racism and racial discrimination

October 29, 2025 – Ottawa – Canadian Armed Forces

Tomorrow, at a ceremony in Ottawa, General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Chief Warrant Officer, will deliver a formal apology on behalf of the CAF to current and former CAF members and their families who have experienced racial discrimination and racial harassment in connection to their military service.

The event will be livestreamed at the following link: Canadian Armed Forces Apology for Racial Discrimination and Racial Harassment.

For more details about the agenda and speakers, visit the Canadian Armed Forces Apology for Racial Discrimination and Racial Harassment event page.

Note to media

Media interested in covering this event must register to attend by contacting the Department of National Defence Media Relations Office at mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca no later than 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Important note: the CAF is taking a trauma-informed approach to this event. This apology is an important, necessary, and solemn moment and could evoke strong emotional responses and/or cause trauma to resurface for in-person participants. As such, media will not be permitted in the room where the apology ceremony is taking place. 

Media are invited to watch the apology in a designated media room on-site. Access to a pool camera feed will be available. More details and technical specifics will be made available following registration.

Media are advised that CAF spokesperson availability will be limited on the day of the event.

Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
Ceremony time: 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET