Statement by Defence Minister Jason Kenney regarding the Ombudsman's report on the 1974 cadet tragedy at CFB Valcartier

Statement

July 28, 2015
Department of National Defence
Ottawa

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement in response to the investigation report released today by the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces on the 1974 grenade explosion at the cadet training centre in CFB Valcartier:

“The accidental explosion of a grenade at the Cadet Training Centre in CFB Valcartier in 1974 was a tragedy that hurt both victims and their families. This matter is important to the Government of Canada, which is why my predecessor, The Honourable Rob Nicholson, authorized an investigation into this incident by the Ombudsman.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I regret the effect this event has had on the victims and their families. The review by the Ombudsman confirms that more could have been done and I have accepted the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

“I recognize that those who directly witnessed or were injured in this accident may still be suffering and I am committed to ensuring that they get the help they need. I have therefore directed the Department of National Defence, in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations, to offer assessments to all those who have been affected by this incident to determine the physical and psychological care they require. Based on these assessments, we will ensure that the affected individuals have access to health care and compensation, where appropriate.

“I thank the Ombudsman for reviewing this matter in greater detail and for recommending how we can better assist those affected by this incident. I regret that it took 41 years to formally recognize and fully address this tragedy and I hope that the action we are taking in response to the Ombudsman’s recommendations will give the victims and their families some measure of comfort.”

-30-

Related Products

Backgrounder - 1974 Grenade Explosion at the Valcartier Cadet Training Centre

Contacts

Lauren Armstrong
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100
Lauren.Armstrong2@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

Search for related information by keyword

Hon. Jason Kenney National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Military

Page details

2016-12-14

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

Statement by Defence Minister Jason Kenney regarding the Ombudsman's report on the 1974 cadet tragedy at CFB Valcartier

Statement

Page details