Canada’s Military Must Strive to Become an ‘Anti-Racist Organization’: National Defence

The Canadian Armed Forces prepare to load a helicopter onto a C-177 Globemaster III in Quebec City as part of sending relief to the flooded areas of British Columbia, on Nov. 19, 2021. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

Canada’s military shows racial discrimination through its policies and “power dynamics,” and must strive to become an “anti-racist organization” while recognizing the presence of “white privilege,” says the Department of National Defence (DND).

“Racism and discrimination still manifests in our workplaces through bias, privilege, policies and power dynamics,” reads a DND report titled “Guide To Courageous Conversations On Racism And Discrimination,” obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The report was part of a larger report titled “Anti-Racism Toolkit,” which was written by commanders and outlined ways that military members should examine “ways that whiteness and white superiority become embedded in policies and processes.”

The report also that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) must “put compassionate effort into practice” as it strives to become an “anti-racist organization.”

“We all have to do the work in shifting mindsets and promoting an inclusive workplace and acknowledge that together we’re different,” it said. “Critical self-reflection is key in order to understand and unpack seen and unseen assumptions and biases we have.”

Canadian military members should also pose to themselves “racially and culturally grounded questions,” the report said, so that they might increase their awareness of past and future issues.

“Consider how history and politics shape or influence your personal experiences and that of colleagues within your organization,” it said, adding that holding dialogue with fellow military members should be the first step in raising “awareness and consciousness” about racial issues in order to enact change.

‘White Privilege’

According to Blacklock’s, other measures outlined in the report include recognizing the existence of “white privilege,” which it defined as “unearned power, benefits, advantages, access or opportunities based on membership in a dominant group.”

It said military members should acknowledge “white fragility,” which it defined as “a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable for white people triggering a range of defensive moves,” and explore “ways that whiteness and white superiority become embedded in policies and processes.”

The report also raised a number of “common themes” it said might come to mind when discussing racial issues with peers.

It said these could include negative thoughts such as, “‘Racism is largely over or dying out over time,’ ‘people of colour are obsessed with race,’ ‘alleging discrimination is itself racist and divisive,’ ‘claiming discrimination is playing the race card or it’s opportunistic,’” among others.

The Epoch Times previously reported that CAF was attempting to address discrimination and “systemic racism” through an organizational overhaul, part of which includes educating members in critical race theory (CRT).

A DND spokesperson told The Epoch Times in November 2022 that CRT would be used to determine the best way to bring about “meaningful systemic and institutional change.”

Noé Chartier contributed to this report.