Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

National Defence

During question period on national defence, the Conservatives raised concerns about instructions issued over the summer telling military chaplains not to reference God in prayers or spiritual reflections, saying this contradicts a unanimous motion the House had passed, and asking the minister to explain the decision and confirm chaplains would not be disciplined for mentioning God. The Liberal minister replied that the Canadian Armed Forces is strengthened by the diversity of its members’ beliefs, that chaplain guidelines are set by the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service and military leadership to support members of all faiths, and that the rules do not ban private faith.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Dane Lloyd

Conservative

Linked statement

“The government told military chaplains not to mention God in prayers or reflections. This goes against a motion the House agreed to last year. I want the minister to explain why this was done and promise that chaplains will not be punished for mentioning God.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as Remembrance Day approaches, military chaplains representing many faiths are deeply concerned about government instructions issued over the summer directing them not to reference God in prayer or spiritual reflections. This instruction defies a unanimous motion passed by the House in November 2024 that affirmed the rights of chaplains not to be restricted or punished for referencing God in prayer or reflections. I have raised this issue with the Minister of National Defence. Will he explain why this instruction was issued over the summer and confirm that chaplains will face no consequences for carrying out their sacred duties?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A– View analysis

David McGuinty

Liberal
“Our military is stronger when it includes people of all backgrounds and faiths. Military leaders made chaplain guidelines to care for every member and help them do their jobs. These rules do not ban private faith.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Armed Forces is strengthened by the diversity of its traditions and the backgrounds and beliefs of its members. The policies to support diversity are a moral and ethical responsibility of the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service, the chief of the defence staff and CAF leadership. In their commitment to care for all, they have made a decision that the spiritual health and well-being of CAF members are vital to operational effectiveness, and they have, of course, brought in guidelines that do not ban private or personal faith.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 144

All 49 items ·
  1. Government Orders Building Canada Strong Act 32 statements
  2. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
  3. Oral Questions Taxation 8 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Environment 4 statements
  5. Oral Questions Taxation 8 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions Public Safety 10 statements
  9. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions The Economy 8 statements
  11. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 6 statements
  12. Oral Questions Infrastructure 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Internal Trade 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Women and Gender Equality 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  16. Oral Questions National Defence 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Correctional Service of Canada 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions Climate Change 2 statements
  20. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Points of Order 3 statements
  21. Oral Questions Families, Children and Social Development 2 statements
  22. Government Orders Building Canada Strong Act 32 statements
  23. Oral Questions Labour 2 statements
  24. Oral Questions The Environment 4 statements