Bryan Brulotte: Wainwright tragedy a reminder of the dangers our soldiers face - National Post

Copy URL Facebook Linked In X (Twitter) Loading account options Sign In Manage Account Close account menu Manage Account Sign Out Loading subscription options Subscribefor $0.50/week A bouquet of flowers is visible at the main entrance to CFB Wainwright on Sunday, after a mass casualty event occurred at the base on Saturday. (David Bloom/Postmedia Network) By Bryan Brulotte, Special to National Post October 19, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. Last Updated: October 19, 2026 at 12:48 p.m. Canada is mourning a terrible tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, in Alberta, where a devastating fire that broke out during training exercises claimed the lives of four Canadian military personnel and left others seriously injured. Behind these heartbreaking losses are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, whose lives and families have been forever changed. It is a painful reminder that military service carries risks, even when Canada is at peace.

For most Canadians, military service is something witnessed through television coverage, Remembrance Day ceremonies or the occasional sight of soldiers in uniform. For those who serve, however, military life carries risks that extend far beyond the battlefield. The tragedy at Wainwright reminds us that the profession of arms demands courage, sacrifice and an acceptance of dangers that most Canadians will never face.

Those who have served for decades in the Canadian Armed Forces understand the extraordinary bonds that develop between the men and women who wear the uniform. They have witnessed the consequences of tragedy and the profound effect that injury and loss can have on soldiers, their comrades and their families.

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I counted $137 billion in new measures over the next five years. We can argue their merits, but they are being paid for with borrowed money

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