Freedom isn’t free, and right now, a significant portion of the cost is being paid by the families of Canadian military personnel. These parents, children and spouses have been willing and proud to shoulder this burden, but it is becoming too heavy, and they’ve had enough.
Unlike in the United States, most Canadians rarely think about our military. Our country is never at risk, and we are not the “policemen of the world.” Yet, we do have a military that is called upon for a variety of crucial tasks.
Whether providing a deterrent to the Russian bear in Latvia or rescuing members of the Cree Nation from remote parts of Canada during out-of-control forest fires, our military is on the front lines. Whether our Navy is transiting the Taiwan Strait to show unity with a fellow democracy or slugging sandbags to mitigate flooding in Manitoba, the Canadian military is busy. They are interdicting drug trafficking in the Caribbean, rescuing survivors of sinking ships off Canada’s East Coast in 40-foot seas. Our men and women in uniform are proudly doing their duty while their families are doing theirs.
The unseen sacrifices of military families
However, the cost of this service is becoming unsustainable for military families. Spouses often have to put their careers on hold as they follow their uniformed partners from base to base across Canada. Unlike the American military, Canada has very little on-base housing, and many of the existing accommodations are outdated. This forces families into an already impossibly tight housing market, where finding suitable and affordable housing is a constant struggle.
While military personnel have access to base hospitals, their spouses and children must navigate the civilian health-care system, often in regions where services are limited or overwhelmed. The frequent relocations not only disrupt the education of military children but also create gaps in spousal employment, leading to financial instability for many families.
Support systems under strain
The only Canadian organization dedicated solely to supporting military families is the Together We Stand Foundation (TWS). It is shocking to learn that almost 50 per cent of the emergency aid provided by TWS to military families is for food security. How can it be that while our Armed Forces are taking care of our nation, they struggle to provide basic necessities for their own families?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when military personnel were deployed to assist in long-term care facilities, their families back home faced their own battles — often without adequate resources or support. The sacrifices these families make are profound, yet they are frequently overlooked.
The hollowing out of our military
The growing exodus of military families is not just a personal tragedy for those involved — it represents a serious threat to the future of our Armed Forces. Many of those leaving are among our most experienced and seasoned personnel, the very backbone of our military. These are the men and women who possess invaluable knowledge and skills, honed over decades of service, and they are crucial for training the next generation of soldiers, sailors and aviators.
Because of hardships on their families, some mid-level personnel leave too soon. They take with them the institutional memory and leadership qualities that are essential for maintaining a strong and effective military. The loss of these veterans is hollowing out the ranks of our forces, leaving behind a younger generation that, while eager and capable, lacks the mentorship and guidance that only experience can provide.
A call to action
The cumulative effect of these challenges is leading many military families to a breaking point. They are leaving because of the impact it is having on their families, not by choice. The price of service is becoming too high, and without significant changes, we risk losing not just our military members, but the families that support them. Moreover, we risk weakening the very foundations of our military by losing the experienced personnel who are vital to its strength.
As we mark our sixth annual Military Family Appreciation Day (#MFAD) on Sept. 20, Canadians need to recognize that the freedoms we enjoy come at a cost — not just to those in uniform, but to their families as well. We must honour these families not just with words, but with meaningful actions that ensure they have the support, resources and recognition they deserve. The sacrifices of military families are too great to be ignored any longer. Without them, the future of our military — and by extension, the security of our nation — is at risk.
To learn more about how you can help and to make a donation, visit TWSFoundation.ca. Your support can make a tangible difference in the lives of those who sacrifice so much for our country.
Special to National Post
Rick Ekstein and his wife, Lillian, are founders of the Together We Stand Foundation.