Radio minute: Afghanistan Monument belongs to Veterans.

May 13, 2026

The National Monument to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan must stand as a permanent reminder of the courage and sacrifice of over 40,000 Canadians and honour the 158 Canadian Armed Forces members who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the many wounded who continue to carry the burden of the conflict.

Many veterans were deeply disappointed by the recent groundbreaking ceremony in Ottawa. Combat veterans who fought in Kandahar, and lost brothers and sisters in arms, say they were largely excluded from the event meant to honour their sacrifice.

Only a handful of actual Afghanistan combat veterans learned of the ceremony informally. Regimental associations and veterans’ groups were not meaningfully invited. Families of the fallen were not given a voice.

This monument belongs to the veterans and families who lived this mission, and it’s been a long time coming. As we move toward the final unveiling in 2028, the government must ensure that those who served in Afghanistan—and the families of the fallen—are placed at the very centre of the national commemoration.