Carol Bailey-Stevens, an Air Force veteran, touches her eye as she stands at the grave of her husband Robert Stevens, who served in the Army, during a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

By The Canadian Press

CFB Wainwright victims ‘in our thoughts’ this Remembrance Day, Carney says

Nov 11, 2026 | 6:30 AM

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadians will bow their heads Wednesday to honour those who served and sacrificed for their country as they gather across the country to mark Remembrance Day.

In a media statement released Wednesday, Carney said Canadians will also extend their thoughts to the four soldiers who died in a tragic accident during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright last month.

“With their bright futures still before them, they chose to safeguard ours,” Carney said

Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask., Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, B.C., were killed at the Alberta training base last month.

They died and dozens of others were injured when strong winds suddenly swept up a grass fire that was burning on the automatic grenade launcher range and carried it across the training area.

Warm, Dry Winter

Super El Nino forming, could have serious impacts on Vernon and the Okanagan

15h ago

Election Participation

Voter turnout declined in Vernon, North Okanagan for the provincial election

20h ago

Fatal Overdoses

More local drug deaths, but still below record high levels

20h ago

“We mourn their loss, stand with those recovering from their injuries, and hold their families and fellow service members in our thoughts,” Carney said.

Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour said this year’s service carries extra weight because it comes just weeks after the deadly fire.

“Our thoughts remain with the soldiers we lost, those who were wounded, as well as the families, friends, comrades and all others affected by this tragic event,” Arbour said.

“Such moments remind us that behind every uniform is a human being: someone who serves with dedication, accepts risk on behalf of others and is supported by loved ones who share in the sacrifices that service often demands.”

Three separate investigations, including one by military police, are looking into the accident at CFB Wainwright.

The last update from National Defence on Nov. 4 said of the 39 injured, 14 had been released from hospital while another 25 remained in hospital.

Three Second World War veterans are expected to attend this year’s national Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Ottawa. Carney, Arbour and Silver Cross Mother Virginia Hicks will all lay wreaths at the National War Memorial.

Hicks lost her daughter during a training incident at CFB Petawawa in 2002. She was chosen by the Royal Canadian Legion months before the Wainwright accident took place.

A separate ceremony is planned at CFB Wainwright. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is set to attend that event alongside other dignitaries, military members and veterans.

Canadians are also marking 25 years since the start of the Afghanistan war, a conflict in which 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served and 159 lost their lives.

The Afghanistan conflict, which lasted more than 12 years, was the longest in Canadian history and saw the largest deployment of Canadian troops since the Second World War.

This year is also the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Legion — created in 1926 to serve as the main advocacy group for veterans’ benefits — and the 150th anniversary of the Royal Military College.

Some 300 cadets — about 200 more cadets than usual — are expected to attend the parade to mark that anniversary Wednesday.

In the national capital, CF-18 fighter jets and a Black Hawk helicopter will perform flypasts over the ceremony downtown, while Griffon, Chinook and Cormorant helicopters and other RCAF aircraft conduct flyovers at local ceremonies across the country.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press