Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island are the top contributors of personnel to the Canadian Armed Forces on a per capita basis.
As noted in a previous column, forest restrictions in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have led some people online, particularly elements on the right, to demonize Atlantic Canadians. This demonization is particularly unfortunate given the growing spirit of national unity that has emerged since the U.S. annexation threats and tariffs on Canada.
While some regional disputes are inevitable in a country as large as this, it makes little sense to lash out at residents of an entire province or national region over a disagreement over government policy. All it will do is divide Canada at a time when we can ill afford it, and generate another cycle of outrage and anger when cooler heads and nuance are needed.
Disrespecting the people of any region of Canada is counterproductive. And in the case of the Atlantic provinces, that disrespect generally shows an ignorance of a key fact: Atlantic Canadians are the most likely to join the Canadian Armed Forces on a per capita basis.
Between 2015-2020, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick recorded 0.15% and 0.14% military enrollments per capita from the recruitable population, respectively. PEI was third at 0.09, while Newfoundland & Labrador was close behind at 0.08%. The next closest province was at 0.06%, which was also the national average.
So, when we talk about the CAF and Canadians risking their lives to defend this country, we are disproportionately talking about Atlantic Canadians. I mention this not to place one region above another, but to point out that Atlantic Canada excels in one of the most tangible ways to show commitment to a nation: Serving in the armed forces.
And at a time when a strong CAF is more important than ever to buttress Canadian sovereignty and ensure we can help our NATO allies, Atlantic Canada is pulling its weight and then some.
This modern contribution to Canadian strength echoes the importance of the region in the Second World War, when Canada played a pivotal role in getting supplies to the United Kingdom:
“Canada’s role was primarily escort duty for the hundreds of convoys that gathered in Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, for the treacherous journey across the Atlantic. Other Canadian ports, as well as the port of St. John’s, Newfoundland, harboured naval and merchant vessels that joined the convoys. The first convoy, HX-1, left Halifax on 16 September 1939 escorted by British cruisers and two Canadian destroyers, HMCS St. Laurent and HMCS Saguenay.”
Today, Canada’s largest military base is in Atlantic Canada (CFB Halifax), and Nova Scotia alone hosts a significant portion of Canada’s military assets.
Those who demonize the region should consider this the next time they seek to denigrate the contributions of Atlantic Canada or talk down whole swathes of our nation. Atlantic Canada contributes to Canada’s strength in a very tangible way, and this should be remembered and appreciated by people across our country.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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