Dennis Molinaro’s latest book explores Chinese interference in Canada. [Penguin Random House Canada]

China’s secret war in Canada

STORY BY DENNIS MOLINARO

The western world has been focused on the threat of terrorism for the past two decades and for good reason. The post-9/11 “war on terror” sought to combat and end a substantial peril to the West and prevent more large-scale attacks. It succeeded on several fronts, although the threat could never be completely eliminated. But when it came to the West’s interactions with nation-states such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC), they have been governed by a specific delusion for half a century. Canada, like the U.S., believed that if it did business with China, extended a hand of friendship, China would transform itself into a liberal-democratic country. Trade would lead to freedom. But Canada was wrong. Beijing never considered joining a liberal order and instead used Canada as a backdoor to the U.S. and as a means of exploiting resources and technology.

READ MORE

Latest Stories

• Where Canada remembers: The National War Memorial hosts its 85th annual ceremony in tribute to military sacrifice
• The Nuremberg trials
• Excerpt from O Canada: War & Hockey

Shop Now

Private George Lawrence Price. [Canadian Virtual War Memorial]

Historian Teresa Iacobelli on a Canadian tragedy in WW I’s final minutes

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

No one wants to be the last casualty of war.

It’s an inevitable, inescapable, reality of any conflict where blood has been spilled before, a looming eventuality that a final soldier must fall. It may well be days or hours prior to the end. For Canadian Great War Private George Lawrence Price, it was minutes.

In a sense, the Port Williams, N.S., native’s loss was no different than any that had preceded him. Price wore no Victoria Cross on his chest nor boasted a reputation becoming a glorified retelling in the history books. Prominence instead found the 25-year-old for being in the wrong place at the wrong time on Nov. 11, 1918.

READ MORE

More from The Briefing

• The Canadians at Sword Beach: Part 2
• The Canadians at Sword Beach: Part 1
• Historian Fred Gaffen recounts Canada’s WW II story in a new single-volume book

Member Benefit Partner

* Cruise must be booked November 07 through December 08, 2025 (the “Offer Period”) and applies to select sailings 3-nights and longer departing November 07, 2025 – May 10, 2028 as well as 9-Night and longer Alaska Cruise tours on Celebrity Summit departing May 08, 2026 – Sept. 4, 2026 and Celebrity Solstice

departing May 07, 2027 – Sept. 03, 2027 (the “Offer Cruise”). Promo code not required Additional Terms & Conditions apply.

Learn More

Squadron Commander Raymond Collishaw in a Sopwith Camel, July 1918. [CWM/19930012-308]

The amazing aerial feats of ace Raymond Collishaw

STORY BY SHARON ADAMS

Brave, wily and lucky. Canadian pilot Raymond Collishaw served brilliantly in both the First and Second World wars.

As a first officer in the Canadian Fisheries Protection Service with years of sea experience, Collishaw of Nanaimo, B.C., expected to be welcomed into ranks of the Royal Canadian Navy during the First World War.

But that service didn’t snap him up, so he joined the Royal Naval Air Service instead. He went on to become a Great War Canadian air ace, then served in WW II, as well.

Canada didn’t have its own air force during WW I, so Collishaw was among some 35,000 Canadians who served as pilots, observers and aircrew with the British flying services. He began his training in Canada but went to Britain in January 1916 to complete his qualifications.

READ MORE

Latest Stories

• The Nuremberg trials
• Excerpt from O Canada: War & Hockey
• The greatest of the great

British military expert and archeologist Stephen Fisher. [Stephen Fisher]

The Canadians at Sword Beach: Part 2

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

In the heat of battle, mistakes are made.

The annals of history brim with instances where chaos has bred even greater chaos, where the fog of war can cloud the judgement of those on the ground. Nor are such fateful miscalculations the only consequence of combat-induced confusion. As arrows or bullets pour into ranks, as careful orders are drowned out by a cacophony, and as soldiers fight by instincts that consume headspace, post-engagement recollections falter or differ significantly between witnesses.

Memories fragment like shrapnel. It is thus the role of historians to pick up the pieces, to interpret these echoes in time, and when the evidence permits, to draw their own conclusions on what exactly happened—and when.

READ MORE

More from The Briefing

• The Canadians at Sword Beach: Part 1
• Historian Fred Gaffen recounts Canada’s WW II story in a new single-volume book
• Campaign group renews efforts to award Jess Larochelle the Victoria Cross

Member Benefit Partner

RCL members and their families can benefit from exclusive discounts on car, home, condo and tenant’s insurance at belairdirect. Learn more at legion.ca/belairdirect

Learn More