Canada – Canadian soldier of the First World War identified

March 30, 2022 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have confirmed the identification of remains recovered during a munitions clearing process north of Lens, France, as being those of Sergeant Richard Musgrave, a Canadian soldier of the First World War. The identity was confirmed through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological and DNA analysis.

Richard Musgrave was born in Blackrigg, Scotland in 1884. He worked as a teamster in Calgary before enlisting at the age of 30 with the 56th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) on April 30, 1915. After sailing from Montreal and training in England, Private Musgrave travelled to France in February 1916, now as a member of the 7th Infantry Battalion (British Columbia), CEF. He achieved the rank of sergeant in March 1917, was wounded in April but remained on duty, and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in July of that year.

On August 15, 1917, Sergeant Musgrave fought with the 7th Battalion during the first day of the Battle of Hill 70 near Lens, France. He was reported missing that day and was presumed to have died as part of the battle. He was 32 years old. The Battle of Hill 70 continued until August 25, 1917, with a heavy toll of more than 10,000 Canadians killed, wounded, or missing. More than 140 men of the 7th Battalion were killed, 118 of them missing and never found.

The Canadian Armed Forces has notified the family of Sergeant Richard Musgrave’s identification and is providing them with ongoing support. Sergeant Musgrave will be buried at the earliest opportunity in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France.

The Canadian Armed Forces Casualty Identification Program, within the Directorate of History and Heritage, identifies unknown Canadian service members when their remains are recovered. The program also identifies service members previously buried as unknown soldiers when there is sufficient evidence to confirm the identification.

Canada – Canadian Delegation Wraps Up 66th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

The Government of Canada is committed to championing gender equality and taking action to ensure that women and girls can succeed in Canada and around the world. The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, led the Canadian delegation to the 66th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW66), which concluded today. The event was held between March 14 and 25, 2022, both virtually and in New York City.

March 25, 2022 – Ottawa (Ontario) – Women and Gender Equality Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to championing gender equality and taking action to ensure that women and girls can succeed in Canada and around the world.

The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, led the Canadian delegation to the 66th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW66), which concluded today. The event was held between March 14 and 25, 2022, both virtually and in New York City.

In addition to Minister Ien, the Canadian delegation included Minister Sajjan, Minister Gould, Minister Vandal, Minister Guilbeault, Minister O’Regan, Minister Champagne, Parliamentary Secretary Sudds, Parliamentary Secretary Vandenbeld, federal parliamentarians Senator Marilou McPhedran, Senator Donna Dasko, Karen Vecchio M.P., Sonia Sidhu M.P., representatives of provincial and territorial governments (Natalie Jameson (PEI), National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives (Métis Women, Native Women’s Association of Canada), and representatives from Canadian civil society organizations.

In her national statement to her international counterparts, Minister Ien provided an overview of Canada’s commitment to ensuring a gender-responsive approach to climate and biodiversity policy both domestically and internationally. The Minister also emphasized how Canada’s investment in a workforce that is agile, resilient, and equipped with the skills to deliver on Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy, will help women and girls acquire the tools they need to play an active part in that transition, particularly in the STEM sector.

Minister Ien also participated in a number of meetings, events and bilateral discussions, including with the Executive Director of UN Women, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Italy, Dominican Republic, Colombia, UK, Australia and New Zealand representatives. She also met the US Ambassador to the United Nations. Parliamentary Secretary Jenna Sudds participated in two virtual side events hosted by Canada: one in partnership with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, focussing on “Gender-Based Violence and Climate Crisis: Forging Vital Connections,” and another on “Empowering Women and Girls to Advance Gender Equality and Climate Change Solutions.”

Throughout the session, members of the Canadian delegation collaborated with delegates from other United Nations members states, as well as with international CSOs to address this year’s priority theme: Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes.

Participants at CSW66 discussed some of the most critical issues facing women and girls in the world today.  These negotiations resulted in a set of agreed conclusions, to set clear priorities and key recommendations for a path forward on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. In addition to the agreed conclusions, member states negotiated the resolution on the Methods of Work for the CSW, which sets out the format of the upcoming meetings, the preparatory processes, and civil society participation. These negotiations take place every five years and are critical in helping formalize the process by which civil society can engage in the work of the Commission.

Canada is looking forward to next year’s CSW, which will focus on innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Canadian delegates, women’s organizations and my international counterparts at the 66th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Women make invaluable contributions to our communities, and we need their expertise to develop effective environmental policies that reflect the intersectional lived experiences of Indigenous, Black and racialized women. As we work with our global partners, Canada will continue to foster a gender-responsive approach to climate change.”

The Honourable Marci Ien,

Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Johise Namwira

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

873-353-0985

Johise.Namwira@cfc-swc.gc.ca

Canada – Canadian Armed Forces temporarily relocates some Joint Task Force – Ukraine personnel to elsewhere in Europe

As a result of the complex operational environment linked to Russia’s unwarranted aggression against Ukraine, the Canadian Armed Forces is in the process of temporarily relocating components of Joint Task Force – Ukraine (JTF-U) to elsewhere in Europe.

February 13, 2022 – Ottawa, Canada – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

As a result of the complex operational environment linked to Russia’s unwarranted aggression against Ukraine, the Canadian Armed Forces is in the process of temporarily relocating components of Joint Task Force – Ukraine (JTF-U) to elsewhere in Europe.

The temporary repositioning of JTF-U personnel does not signal the end of the mission, but rather allows us to refocus our efforts while ensuring the safety and security of CAF members.

Force protection is the top priority for our training mission, of which operational security is a key component. Thus, while we can confirm we have relocated some of our forces outside of Ukraine, we will not discuss numbers, locations, or future intentions.

The Canadian Armed Forces remains committed to the people of Ukraine and its mission to increase the capacity and capability of the Security Forces of Ukraine.

Daniel Minden

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of National Defence

Phone: 613-996-3100

Daniel.Minden@forces.gc.ca

Canada – Canadian soldier of the First World War identified

Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces have confirmed the identification of a previously unknown grave as being that of Lance Corporal Morgan Jones Jenkins, a Canadian soldier of the First World War who was buried as an unknown soldier at the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, in Haucourt, France.

Morgan Jones Jenkins was born in Wales in 1886 to a minister and his wife who would lose two other sons in the First World War. After immigrating to Canada, he studied at the Manitoba Agricultural College before enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Saskatoon, and joining the 3rd University Company, based out of McGill University. The company sailed for England on September 4, 1915. Overseas, he was transferred to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), wounded, promoted, and assigned to the Canadian Corps’ intelligence service for 18 months. Having rejoined PPCLI, he was declared killed in action on August 28, 1918, during the Second Battle of Arras, following a difficult advance on Jigsaw Wood, a position used by the enemy to defend the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line in France. He was 32 years old.

The Canadian Armed Forces have notified the family of Lance Corporal Jenkins’ identification and are providing them with ongoing support. A headstone rededication ceremony will take place at the earliest opportunity at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery in France.

The Canadian Armed Forces Casualty Identification Program, within the Directorate of History and Heritage, identifies unknown Canadian service members when their remains are recovered. The program also identifies service members previously buried as unknown soldiers when there is sufficient evidence to confirm the identification.

Canada – Canadian recognized for their volunteer contributions to Veterans

Canadians have many reasons to show gratitude to our Veterans. Whether for the freedoms and peace that we enjoy at home today, or for the peace they helped establish and maintain around the world.

9 November 2021 – Ottawa, ON – Veterans Affairs Canada

Canadians have many reasons to show gratitude to our Veterans. Whether for the freedoms and peace that we enjoy at home today, or for the peace they helped establish and maintain around the world. Recognizing these contributions, many Canadians dedicate time and effort to commemorate Veterans and their service.  

Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to the following Eastern-Ontario resident in recognition of their contributions in service to Canada’s Veterans:

Alexandra de Quimper, Curran, ON

Since its creation in 2001, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation has been awarded each year to deserving Canadians who have improved the care and well-being of our Veterans, or honoured the sacrifices they have made. Close to 1,200 individuals from across provinces and territories have been awarded the Commendation over the past two decades.

“The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation is the highest honour I can bestow upon those who have served and continue to serve Canada’s Veterans. Their work is vitally important, and I am honoured to be presenting this award to a hard working individual who has gone the extra mile to support our Veterans. We are extremely grateful for all of their volunteer efforts.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence