Honouring Canada's Afghanistan Heroes: Correcting a Grievous Injustice
Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump made a repugnant statement suggesting that NATO troops, including Canadians, served well behind the front lines in Afghanistan, unlike American combatants. This assertion is not only offensive but also factually incorrect, particularly when examining Canada's significant sacrifices during the conflict.
The Stark Reality of Canadian Sacrifice
Canada suffered a casualty rate in Afghanistan that was four times higher than that of the United States, a sobering statistic that underscores the intense combat faced by Canadian forces. Despite this disproportionate sacrifice, Canada did not award its highest decoration for bravery, the Victoria Cross, even once throughout the entire campaign.
This stands in stark contrast to other allied nations. Great Britain awarded the Victoria Cross three times, Australia four times, and even New Zealand once. The United States awarded its highest honour, the Medal of Honor, no less than 18 times for actions in Afghanistan.
A Call for Proper Recognition
The absence of a Canadian Victoria Cross from the Afghanistan war raises important questions about how we recognize and honour military valour. Are we to believe that Canadian troops displayed less courage than their allies? The evidence suggests otherwise.
Canadian soldiers faced the same dangers, the same improvised explosive devices, and the same hostile terrain as their international counterparts. The image of a Canadian soldier, sweat and tears mingling on his face as he carries the casket of Private Kevin Kennedy during a 2007 ramp ceremony, speaks volumes about the emotional and physical toll of this conflict.
It is high time to correct this grievous injustice. Canada must properly honour the courage of its brave troops and repudiate the vile statement from Donald Trump that diminishes their service and sacrifice.
Additional Perspectives from Edmonton Readers
Long ER Waits Have Hidden Cost
As a retired family physician, I have witnessed many friends refusing to visit emergency rooms due to horrendous wait times. When we count deaths during ER wait times, we fail to account for the deaths or worsening illnesses that occur because people avoid seeking care when they should. This represents a significant hidden cost to our healthcare system that demands attention.
Province Must Reject Extremism
I write as an Albertan deeply concerned about our provincial government's direction. The rhetoric and alliances currently being promoted are not only troubling but dangerous. When leadership appears to legitimize individuals and movements rooted in exclusion, hostility, or extremist ideology, it represents a failure of judgment and a threat to democracy.
We need only look to the United States to see the real consequences of normalizing hatred and division. Extremism, once minimized, can destabilize institutions, erode public trust, and embolden harmful behaviour. This rhetoric is already spilling across the border into Alberta, emboldening the most destructive elements in our society.
Canada was built on cooperation, mutual responsibility, and respect for human dignity. A government flirting with separatist ideology or amplifying divisive rhetoric undermines the very foundation it was elected to serve. Leadership should elevate discourse, model integrity, and safeguard democratic norms—not degrade them.
Albertans deserve principled, courageous leadership that takes these threats seriously. These dangerous times require accountability, foresight, and moral clarity—qualities our current leadership must demonstrate immediately.
