Canadian Armed Forces issues directive on chaplain neutrality

A July 2026 policy directive from the Canadian Armed Forces instructs military chaplains to maintain state religious and spiritual neutrality when speaking at official public ceremonies, including Remembrance Day.

Under these rules, chaplains are directed to offer “spiritual reflections” using neutral language rather than leading prayers or using specific religious terms like “God” or “Jesus” during these events. The directive aims to ensure inclusivity across the military's diverse chaplaincy branches, which include Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Indigenous spiritualities.

The policy does not constitute a blanket ban on religious expression. Chaplains are still permitted to pray and refer to God during funerals or faith-specific events, and the directive does not restrict the personal religious beliefs of individual members.