e-4321 (National defence and military operations)

Petition to the Associate Minister of National Defence

• Members of the Canadian Armed Forces deploy annually on Operations Palaci, Lentus, and more recently, Operation laser;
• It is important to find timely and relevant ways to recognize the commitment to duty, sacrifice, and effort of our members;
• The Special Service Medal was created to recognize members of the Canadian Armed Forces who take part in activities and operations under exceptional circumstances. Prolonged periods of service in adverse conditions of potential avalanches, or the flooded and fire-ravaged areas of Canada, or risking potential infection by working on COVID wards or long-term care homes, are exceptional circumstances that are worthy of consideration for this award;
• The addition of a Domestic Operations bar to the existing Special Service Medal would provide a way to recognize our hard-working Canadian Armed Forces members who deploy into adverse conditions every year;
• The Special Service Medal with DomOps bar could be awarded for a period of time comparable to the existing operational service medal requirements, while actively employed on one of the current domestic operations, and for domestic operations of a similar nature that may arise in the future; and
• This award would affirm to members of the Canadian Armed Forces that we recognize their commitment, while at the same time fostering esprit de corps and aiding in retention.