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Canada's Remembrance Day messages carried a fresh loss this year.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and three cabinet ministers issued statements today honouring Veterans and serving members. Both statements paid tribute to the soldiers who died at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta.
Why it matters: Both statements tie the sacrifices of past generations to defending peace, security and democratic values now, at a time when collective security is under strain.
Who spoke: The joint statement came from:
Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety
Carney issued his own statement.
The fallen: Carney named the four soldiers who died while training at the base:
Sergeant Morgan Wong
Private Shaun Farrell
Private Aidan Goulding
Private Hayden Lykkemark
"With their bright futures still before them, they chose to safeguard ours," Carney said. He said Canadians stand with those recovering from their injuries and hold the soldiers' families and fellow service members in their thoughts.
The ministers called it a "tragic incident" and said their thoughts remain with the families, loved ones and everyone affected.
"All of Canada is in mourning," they said.
Generations of service: The ministers' statement honoured Veterans and serving members of both the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). It traced a record of service that includes:
The South African War at the turn of the 20th century
The First and Second World Wars, when Canadians and Newfoundlanders stood with allies
The Korean War, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan
Peace support operations and domestic missions
"Canadians have answered the call," the ministers said.
Carney described the day itself. Canadians gather at cenotaphs across the country and bow their heads after the sounding of the "Last Post." They remember those who spent years away from loved ones, those who "returned forever changed" and those who never came home.
Vigilance: Both statements cast remembrance as a commitment as well as a tribute.
"In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, our rights and freedoms do not defend themselves," Carney said. "Our remembrance is more than an expression of gratitude. It is an act of vigilance and determination."
He called it a promise "that what they defended, we will defend."
The ministers made a similar point. "As the foundations of collective security are put to the test, remembrance also calls on us to carry forward the lessons of their service and sacrifice," they said.
