SPEECH BY MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE ANITA ANAND
CHANGE OF HONORARY LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PARADE
THE QUEEN’S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA
HELD AT CASA LOMA, TORONTO, ONTARIO
22 JANUARY 2023“

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Hello/bonjour

I am joining you today on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, the Wendat peoples, as well as many other nations. Today and every day we reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation.

It is an honour to join the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and all the Canadian Armed Forces Members and riflemen present today.

Today’s ceremony has been an incredible display of tradition, history, and celebration. As Canada’s oldest continuously serving infantry regiment,

The Queen’s Own Rifles have a special place in Canada’s identity. In fact, this year marks the 163rd year of the regiment’s service. Big congratulations on that as well as on the 40th anniversary of your Parachute tasking.

As an airborne regiment, your work in continuing to maintain an airborne tasking, and working closely with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment to have airborne capacity is integral. It is a tactical imperative to rapidly deploy members on the ground. And it is crucial that Canada has this capacity, especially in the current security context and threat environment.

Votre travail nous permet de maintenir un avantage opérationnel, ce qui est bon pour le Canada, pour les Canadiens et pour notre sécurité collective.

Along with being tactically astute, the regiment is also diverse. Based out of the Greater Toronto Area, the regiment brings together talent from different cultures into an inclusive, and tight-knit community.

The regiment is a family. As the saying goes — once a rifleman, always a rifleman.

My sincere thanks to the troops, airborne troops and alumni present in the audience for your service and for being here today. In Pace Paratus.

That brings me to the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Queen’s Own Rifles.

The Honorary is much more than just a title. They are a guardian of regimental traditions and history — promoting the regiment’s identity and ethos. They create and maintain connections between the regiment and the community. And they are a role model for the pursuit of excellence.

And few exemplify this better than outgoing Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Vicky Sunohara. As one of the greatest hockey players of all time, your legacy is unparalleled. 12 years on the Canada National Women’s team. 15 gold and three silver medals. And a remarkable dedication to bettering others through coaching, mentoring, and community engagement.

As Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, you did an exemplary job amidst exceptionally hard and challenging circumstances, including the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am here today to thank you for your leadership and for your service.

I would now like to take a moment to talk about my friend Manjit Minhas. It brings me tremendous joy to see her appointed as the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

Nous connaissons tous Manjit comme l’une des entrepreneures ayant eu le plus de succès au Canada.

Since starting her business in Calgary at age 19, Manjit has been an exceptional leader in the business community.

She has been a recipient of awards such as the Top Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Forbes Woman of Distinction, Top Growth Entrepreneur, and The Sikh Centennial Foundation Award and has had the privilege of being a Dragon on Dragon’s Den, one of my kids’ favourite shows.

She has broken records in the business world, and the barriers along with it. Manjit, you are a trailblazer, not just in the South Asian community but for all women in Canada.

Your depth and breadth of community engagement, entrepreneurial knowledge, and corporate social responsibility will bring tremendous value to this role. Félicitations and congratulations again on your appointment!

I would like to end by expressing my gratitude to the Canadian Armed Forces. I just got back from Ukraine and the Ramstein Air Base where I met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, and our NATO Allies, and they were very clear:

Canada and CAF’s contributions could not be more important and could not be more helpful. Make no mistake, we are making a difference on the ground. And the Canadian Armed Forces are at the heart of it all. We are grateful to be Canadian.

To all the Canadian Armed Forces members and the riflemen here today: Thank you for your leadership, and your dedication including in ceremonies like today, where we see Canada’s military tradition on display.

I see the time, the effort, and the practice that has gone into making this ceremony happen. And your work is exemplary.

Congratulations again to Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Manjit Minhas for your appointment and thank you to The Queen’s Own Rifles for inviting me to this special ceremony.

And thank you, today and every day, to the Canadian Armed Forces for your service and sacrifice. Merci beaucoup.”