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National Wartime Service Recognition Framework

An Act respecting the recognition of wartime service

Summary

  • Creates a national framework to recognize certain Canadian Armed Forces service as "wartime service" using objective, transparent criteria focused on risk, operational intensity, and exposure to harm, regardless of formal mission labels.
  • Requires consultations with Veterans Affairs, veterans’ groups, experts, and non-CAF personnel who supported CAF operations.
  • Obligates the Minister to table the framework within one year, publish it online, and report on implementation after five years and every ten years thereafter.
  • Compels the Governor in Council, on the Minister’s recommendation, to designate qualifying service as wartime service, including a review of all operations since July 27, 1953 within 180 days of tabling the framework, and timely assessments for new or changing operations.
  • Mandates a public, searchable list of CAF operations with plain-language descriptions, criteria assessments, and published recommendations and orders, while clarifying that recognition does not create new financial benefits.

Builder Assessment

Abstain

Principles Analysis

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Canada should aim to be the world's most prosperous country.

Primarily symbolic recognition without direct economic levers or fiscal measures affecting national prosperity.

✓

Promote economic freedom, ambition, and breaking from bureaucratic inertia (reduce red tape).

Sets clear criteria, timelines, and a public list to avoid ad hoc decisions; designations are exempt from the Statutory Instruments Act, reducing procedural drag, though periodic reporting adds minor administrative work.

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Drive national productivity and global competitiveness.

No direct impact on productivity; any morale or retention benefits are indirect and speculative.

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Grow exports of Canadian products and resources.

No trade or export provisions.

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Encourage investment, innovation, and resource development.

Does not change investment conditions; recognition is symbolic and separate from benefits or incentives.

✓

Deliver better public services at lower cost (government efficiency).

A standardized, transparent process and consolidated online list can reduce case-by-case lobbying, disputes, and FOI burden, offsetting modest reporting costs.

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Reform taxes to incentivize work, risk-taking, and innovation.

No tax policy changes.

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Focus on large-scale prosperity, not incrementalism.

Symbolic recognition is important for respect and morale but does not move large-scale economic outcomes.

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S-246

PartySenate
StatusAt second reading in the Senate
Last updatedN/A
TopicsNational Security, Social Issues, Foreign Affairs
Parliament45