Allow public prayer in CAF
Petitioners ask House to affirm that the Canadian Armed Forces may support service members with public prayer, including at Remembrance Day. The government responds it supports inclusive chaplaincy and balances religious expression with members' rights.
Why we would sign this petition
- Affirms chaplains' ability to offer public prayer, reinforcing spiritual care and morale among service members.
- Protects longstanding military traditions, allowing ceremonies to reflect faith-based expressions important to many personnel.
- Clarifies that Remembrance Day events may include prayer, preserving a specific practice petitioners say honors the fallen.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Public prayer at military events may make non-religious or differently religious members feel excluded or pressured.
- Allowing official prayers risks entangling state ceremonies with religion, raising inclusivity and legal concerns.
- The petition may be unnecessary because the government says it already supports inclusive chaplaincy and balances expression with choice not to participate.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: Canada has a tradition of respecting, honoring, and affirming the role of faith traditions in the Canadian Armed Forces; The Canadian Armed Forces Chaplaincy program contributes to the health, morale, and spiritual wellbeing of servicemen and women from all faith and non-faith backgrounds; and The Liberal government undermines the rights and freedoms of all servicemen and women by prohibiting diverse religious expression. Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: Affirm that the Canadian Armed Forces ought to be free to support servicemen and women through public prayer in keeping with the hard-won and honourable traditions of the Canadian Armed Forces, such as and especially on Remembrance Day.
Government response
Response by the Minister of National Defence Signed by Sherry Romanado The Defence Team deeply values the work of military chaplains to support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, and we will continue to build a diverse, inclusive military that attracts and retains talented people, as well as a chaplaincy that reflects the diversity of spiritual and faith beliefs of Canada and supports both the free expression of religious belief and the right of military members not to express a religious belief. The Royal Canadian Chaplain Service holds deep respect for the diverse religious and spiritual belief systems and practices of serving and retired CAF members, their families and Canadians. As such, CAF chaplains prioritize cultivating inclusive environments where all can feel welcome at ceremonies and events in which chaplains participate or offer leadership. This is why prayer and other faith-specific language that may be offered by CAF chaplains is very much subject to the context, participants and intended nature of the gathering or ceremony in which they are participating, including whether the ceremony or event is secular or non-secular in nature, open to the public at large, or private. With respect to Remembrance Day, specifically, most important to the Chaplain General is maintaining the focus on honouring the sacrifice of all who have gone before us in service to Canada, and to offer thanks for their service and sacrifice. It is paramount that that whenever and wherever all CAF members and their families gather to commemorate the sacrifices made in the service of their nation that they will hear words that speak of remembrance, encouragement, and hope.