Defence Minister notes Canadian troops’ sacrifices after Trump downplayed role
By Canadian Press on January 24, 2026.
OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty says Canadians will never forget the sacrifices their troops have made for Americans and the NATO alliance in Afghanistan.
McGuinty read a prepared statement to media Saturday afternoon on Parliament Hill has Liberal MPs meet to prepare for the looming sitting of the Commons.
McGuinty did not mention U.S. President Donald Trump, who falsely claimed this week that the U.S. never sought military help from the NATO alliance and that those troops stayed back from the frontlines.
The government has been faced pushback for avoiding direct criticism of Trump on various matters, and McGuinty’s comments follows a strong rebuff from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
McGuinty would not say whether Trump should apologize for those comments made Thursday.
He also noted the help of Canadian soldiers, firefighters and others in responding to the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2026.
Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
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Both my husband and I were deployed overseas with the Canadian Forces when the events of September 11 happened. We showed kindness and empathy towards the American soldiers we worked with, supporting them.
We both were stationed in Afghanistan, both doing rotations, where we lost fellow soldiers and were not hiding in safe areas away from conflict! There were 158 Canadian Forces and 7 civilians lost there, and many more at home who took their own lives due to PTSD! God Bless them and their families!
In 2002, we lost four members when one of your trigger happy F-16 pilots failed to listen to AWACS command to stand down and re-assess, but instead you opened fire on our troops who were training at Tarnak Farms, as well as injuring eight others!
The US asked us to help in Afghanistan, and we happily agreed and served on high conflict areas!
You have never served in the military and will never truly understand what it’s like! It is shameful, disrespectful and unacceptable to make the misinformed, FAKE NEWS comment you spewed from your vile lips!
You call yourself a Christian President Trump? You should really think about what you’ve said and ask God for forgiveness for your terrible words and actions against fellow Christians in Canada and for turning against one of your strongest allies in the world!
Shame on you! I hope God shows you mercy, President Trump! You will need it!