Persian Gulf War veterans seek formal recognition 35 years on

Veterans who served in the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War are asking the federal government to reclassify their service as wartime and to recognize Gulf War Illness; Veterans Affairs Canada says it honours all veterans and will mark the 35th anniversary.

Thirty-five years after the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War ended, Canadian veterans are still seeking formal recognition of their service and related health issues. Many veterans describe exposure to risk while deployed and want their service reclassified from “special duty” to wartime. A House of Commons committee reported in 2024 with recommendations on benefits and classification, and Veterans Affairs Canada has said it honours all veterans and will hold commemorative events. Key points: - About 4,500 Canadians were deployed to the Persian Gulf region in 1990–91 as part of the U.S.-led campaign to liberate Kuwait. - Veterans have been advocating for a change in classification from "special duty" to wartime to acknowledge the risks they say they faced. - A 2024 House of Commons committee recommended harmonizing benefits and other changes, and Gulf War Illness was adopted as a compensable condition by Veterans Affairs in December. - Veterans Affairs Canada said the term "wartime service veteran" is used internally, that the government honours all veterans, and that it will hold anniversary events in Ottawa and Halifax. Summary: Veterans continue to press for formal wartime designation and clearer recognition of health impacts decades after deployment. The department has recognized Gulf War Illness as compensable and reiterated its support for veterans while hosting commemoration events. Undetermined at this time.