Calgary's Persian Gulf War veterans renew push for wartime recognition

CTV News

2 days ago

More than three decades after serving in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War, Calgary veterans are among those renewing calls for the federal government to finally recognize their service as 'wartime duty' — a change they say is long overdue.
Harold Davis, president of the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada, is leading the charge on behalf of 5,000 veterans who served in the campaign to liberate Kuwait after its invasion by Iraq.
In a letter to lawmakers and the public, Davis expressed frustration over the government's continued failure to reclassify their service from 'Special Duty Area' (SDA) designation to 'wartime service' — a change that would carry significant symbolic and practical implications for veterans' recognition and benefits.
'I'm hearing from veterans I represent that won't even wear their medals anymore because of this lack of recognition,' said Davis.
'During my time in the war, we ended up in the middle of a minefield while sailing in the Gulf. The USS Princeton struck one of those mines, and so Canadian ships escorted her on an ocean tug. That was such a tense experience.'
Davis was involved in Canada's military contribution to the Persian Gulf War, known as Operation Friction – a three-ship naval task group (HMCS Athabaskan, Terra Nova, and Protecteur) to support maritime interdiction and escort duties.
Davis says that the fight for proper designation has now involved two electronic petitions in the House of Commons and participation in a parliamentary Veterans Affairs committee hearing, which resulted in Report 18 being presented to Parliament.
Despite support from almost 75 Members of Parliament, 10 senators, various veterans' groups and even endorsement from the late former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, progress has stalled multiple times, forcing veterans to restart their campaign yet again.
The HMCS Protecteur.
The HMCS Protecteur. (Supplied)
The 35th anniversary of the Gulf War will be marked on Feb. 26, 2026 — a reminder of how long veterans have waited for official recognition.
Davis notes that it took 28 years for Korean War veterans to receive their wartime designation, and Gulf War veterans do not want to wait that long.
'We get frustrated, but we keep going because we don't have much time left. Look at our age, we're all probably 65 to 70 years old. It just, it's crazy how much time was spent on this, and it consumes us.'
Not just a 'special assignment'
Canadian forces deployed to the Gulf faced significant dangers, including exposure to burning oil fires, chemical threats, minefields and air raids. Many veterans say they still suffer from ongoing health issues such as respiratory problems and neurological disorders.
'I just don't understand how other countries can call it a war, yet our Canadian government calls it some sort of special assignment,' said Sgt. Robert Foote, a Calgarian Gulf War Veteran.
'Iraq was invading Kuwait at that time, and if they were allowed to do it, we knew they would go further. We heard sirens going off every night, scud missiles being fired overhead, and we were constantly unaware if we might be safe.'
Iraqi weapons seized by Canadians
Iraqi weapons seized by Canadians. (Supplied)
Foote, a 26-year member of the Canadian Air Force, was dispatched to Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 7, 1991. His arrival took place just two weeks before Operation Desert Storm, which began with an American-led aerial bombing campaign against Iraq.
During that time, Foote was responsible for the ground transport of Canadian pilots and the refueling of CF18 fighter planes out of the Doha Airport.
'I got letters from friends, and they were all wishing me well and hoping that I didn't get hurt in the war,' he said.
'So, everybody recognizes it as a war, and yet, somehow or another, Canada puts a different title on it. I don't understand why.'
The HMCS Protecteur.
The HMCS Protecteur. (Supplied)
Other Calgarian veterans like Peter Wall served 13 years with the Royal Canadian Navy. He worked on the HMCS Protecteur, a command and support ship that acted as a logistics and operations hub for Canadian naval forces deployed to the Persian Gulf.
Wall's job involved supporting resupply efforts and communications supports to the USNS Mercy, a U.S. Navy hospital ship.
The USNS Mercy
The USNS Mercy. (Supplied)
'Sadam Hussein, the leader of Iraq at the time, took over Kuwait and just cut everything off and so we had our three ships rotating their crews, but once the war was declared, we were the only crew to swap out, so we stayed there,' said Wall.
'We were scared at times, but it was something you trained for. Not recognizing us is just typical though of our government. It's like they say, 'You did your job, now bugger off,' and we feel like we're just shunned off to the side.'
Peter Wall on the HMCS Protecteur
Peter Wall on the HMCS Protecteur. (Supplied)
'Proper recognition matters': Veterans Affairs Canada
CTV News reached out to Veterans Affairs Canada for comment regarding the designation of Gulf War Veterans and received the following response from the office of Minister Jill McKnight.
'The Minister of Veterans Affairs remains committed to the government's platform promise to review the designation of missions like the Persian Gulf. That work is currently underway,' reads the statement.
'Persian Gulf Veterans served Canada, and their contributions continue to be valued. Our government has been clear that proper recognition matters and that getting this right is a priority.'
McKnight noted that further updates will be shared 'in due course' once necessary work and consultations are completed.
The HMCS Protecteur.
The HMCS Protecteur. (Supplied)
According to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), military operations are assessed to determine if they meet a threshold of 'elevated risk,' as outlined in the Veterans Wellbeing Act
The CAF assesses whether participating members were exposed to risks greater than those normally associated with peacetime service. Such determinations can be made in advance if the nature of the operation is known, but when the nature of the operation is unknown, this determination can be made retroactively once conditions have become more apparent.
Once a CAF assessment is complete, the Minister of Veterans Affairs is then engaged for concurrence at which time the Chief of Defence Staff also assesses the proposal and presents it to the Minister of National Defence for final approval.
The response from the government is less than satisfactory for Persian Gulf War Veterans like Davis who say a lack of consultation for the last three decades is unacceptable.
The HMCS Protecteur.
The HMCS Protecteur. (Supplied)
He notes that Prime Minister Mark Carney's platform included that Persian Gulf War veterans would be recognized foe their service, but says no one has reached out to him.
'The government themselves wants to call it a war when it's convenient, but they don't want to turn around and give the recognition to the Persian Gulf veterans that served in the war,' said Davis.
'Getting a medal is nice, but you know what, being recognized for your service for your country is even nicer and we can't get that as it sits right now.'
Harold Davis
Harold Davis when he served in the Gulf War. (Supplied)
Documentary highlights importance of Gulf War recognition
Anthony Towstego has been making documentary films highlighting and preserving the stories of Canadian war veterans for the past 28 years with Thomega Entertainment, but it was only recently that he dived into the impact of the Persian Gulf War.
'I was approached by Harold Davis at the National World Canadian Legion Convention in Winnipeg back in 2018, and he came to our booth with pride asking me 'Where's out story?' I immediately wanted to learn more,' said Towstego.
'So that was a catalyst to kickstarting a documentary that we started to research right at that point, all about Canada's contribution to the Persian Gulf War.'
Sgt. Robert Foote
Sgt. Robert Foote receiving his Gulf War commendation medal. (Supplied)
The short film titled, Canada Remembers Our Heroes: Operation Friction was privately screened on May 16, 2023, during a parliamentary event hosted by Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld
The goal was to get a wide enough audience with Canada's Parliament that it could help educate and influence enough people to recognize Gulf War service as 'wartime service.'
'A veteran is a veteran. Why they have not been recognized, I just don't understand. They served. They risked their lives. They stood up for Canada and the world,' said Towstego.
'That was a war. They were there, and there's no difference from those who served in the Gulf War than the veterans that I've interviewed from the Second World War or Korean War. They're all one in the same, so it's time that they are recognized 100 per cent as veterans should be.'
The HMCS Protecteur.
The HMCS Protecteur. (Supplied)
Thomega Entertainment and its Canada Remembers Programming and Educational Plan project are officially endorsed by the Royal Canadian Legion's National Poppy & Remembrance Committee.
Its films are not yet publicly distributed, but they have been nationally broadcasted on Ami TV and screenings have taken place at Canadian schools. Plans are also in the works to have Canada Remembers films streamed at some point on platforms such as Amazon's Prime Video.