e-4399 (Veterans' affairs)

The Government of Canada is grateful for the dedicated service of all Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans, including those who served in the Persian Gulf from 1990 to 1991.

To date, service during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War are included in the Pension Act as service during war. Service in all other conflicts, operations, and deployments in which Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans have taken part, including all current deployments, are designated by Order of the Minister of National Defence, in consultation with the Minister of Veterans Affairs, as either a “Special Duty Area” or  a “Special Duty Operation” – commonly called “Special Duty Service” – under the authority of the Veterans Well-being Act.

The practice of categorizing the military service of CAF members and Veterans is an internal process done in the interest of providing them with the benefits to which they are entitled from National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada. This is because the precise circumstances of a member or Veteran’s service, such as whether they were deployed on an operation, can impact aspects of a member or Veteran’s benefits—for instance, when determining whether Veterans Affairs Canada’s Insurance Principle or Compensation Principle should apply during the adjudication of disability benefits.

In accordance with sections 69 and 70 of the Veterans Well-Being Act, the Minister of National Defence, in consultation with the Minister of Veterans Affairs, has the authority only to designate a “Special Duty Area” or “Special Duty Operation”. Applying these categories is not meant to signal greater or lesser respect for the service of members and Veterans, nor are such categories indicative of a lesser degree of risk on the part of those deployed. For example, in addition to the Persian Gulf, service in the Balkans and Afghanistan have been classified by Order of the Minister of National Defence as “Special Duty Service”. Moreover, changing the categorization of those who served in the Persian Gulf from “Special Duty Service” to “Wartime Service” would not necessarily result in any change to offered benefits, as these Veterans are eligible for the highest level of benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada for any injuries arising from such service.

Public recognition of CAF members and Veterans’ service in all eras and conflicts is vitally important to Canadian society. As such, Veterans Affairs Canada's Commemoration Strategic Plan is dedicated to advancing the Government of Canada’s approach in acknowledging the service of modern-era Veterans over the past several decades. By engaging in ongoing consultations, the plan endeavors to gather invaluable perspectives from Veteran organizations and individual Veterans to ensure that their voices are heard in shaping the most effective and meaningful ways to recognize the service and sacrifice of Canada’s Veterans.

The Government of Canada continues to be sincerely grateful to Persian Gulf Veterans for their service to Canada, and their invaluable contributions to the proud traditions of the Canadian Armed Forces.