Service to Canada can demand an extraordinary price, even in peacetime. The tragedy at CFB Wainwright is a devastating reminder that the risks of military service extend well beyond the battlefield to the demanding training required to defend our country.
The Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) and the CDA Institute extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the four Canadian Armed Forces members who lost their lives:
- Sergeant Morgan Wong
- Private Shaun Farrell
- Private Aidan Goulding
- Private Hayden Lykkemark
Our thoughts are equally with the 39 service members who sustained injuries, particularly those fighting for their lives, and with their families anxiously awaiting news. We stand with them and the broader Canadian Armed Forces community during this extraordinarily difficult time.
We also commend the tireless efforts of military and civilian first responders, medical professionals, and the Wainwright community in caring for those affected. As the situation continues to unfold, we recognize that the full extent of this tragedy and its impact on the military community may not yet be known.
To all who serve in uniform, and to the families who stand behind them, your sacrifices are never taken for granted. Those who dedicate their lives to the defence of Canada, whether at home or abroad, deserve our enduring gratitude, respect, and remembrance.
Our hearts are with those whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy.
