HISTORIC DESIGNATIONS RESTORED TO CANADA’S MILITARY

August 17, 2011

BLACKSTRAP — The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Member of Parliament for Blackstrap, is pleased that the Conservative Government has restored the historic designations of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Canadian Army.

“Our Government is committed to acknowledging our nation's proud history, to celebrate our heritage and to honour the memories of so many brave Canadians who have sacrificed in service to Canada,” said Minister Yelich.

In 1968, the government of the day passed the Canadian Forces Reorganization Act which unified the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force into a single service – the Canadian Forces. As a result, three formerly separate entities became three elements of a single institution, and were renamed Maritime Command, Land Force Command and Air Command.

“We believe that an important element of Canada’s military heritage was lost when the three former services were required to relinquish their historic titles,” said Minister Yelich. “By reinstating the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army, our Government is restoring a central component of Canada’s military heritage”.

The proud legacy of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army will once again serve as a timeless link between our veterans and serving soldiers, sailors and air personnel.