Annual Military Symposium

Military Symposium


Each fall the Department of History, Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, the HMCS Griffon, and the Thunder Bay Branch of the Canadian International Council partners to hold a free symposium focusing on issues relating to the Canadian Armed Forces. Additional partners include the Ontario Historical Society, Thunder Bay Military Museum, Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, Northwestern Ontario Archivists' Association, Lakehead University Library Archives, Rose N' Crantz Roasting Company, and the Thunder Bay Public Library.

This year's symposium is focussed on "Transformation" and the Candian Armed Forces during the latter half of the twentieth century and the early twenty-first century. Our keynote speaker is Col Howard Coombs, OMM, CD, MMAS, PhD who will be speaking on “Canadian Strategic Lessons from Afghanistan 2001-2014: Identified Not Learned.”

Past Symposiums

2018 - Centennial of the First World War

We took a break in 2018 and instead participated in the organization and delivery of many aspects of the City of Thunder Bay's commemoration of the armistice in 1918 between 3 and 5 November. 

2017 - Post Combat and Recognition

The 2017 symposium was held on 25 November and focused on "Post Combat and Recognition." Our keynote speaker was Dr. Christopher McCreery, MVO, FRCGS FRHSC who spoke on "Canada’s Afghanistan Experience and the Coming of age of the Canadian Honours System."

2016 - Exploring Diversity in the Canadian Armed Forces

The 2016 symposium was held on 14 November and focused on "Exploring Diversity in the Canadian Armed Forces." Our keynote speaker was historian Dr. Tim Cook of the Canadian War Museum who spoke on "Vimy: Battle and Legend." 

2015 - 4th Annual Military Symposium

The 2015 symposium was held on 14 November and focused on a variety of areas, with a particular emphasis on domestic security. Our keynote speaker was historian Dr. Jack Granatstein who spoke on "The Best Little Army in the World? The Canadians in Northwest Europe, 1944-45." 

2014 - Symposium on the First World War

The 2014 symposium was held on 8 November and focused on the First World War, with a particular emphasis on Northwestern Ontario. Our keynote speaker was strategic analysis and historian Dr. Andrew Godefroy who spoke on "Apprentice in Arms: Major General Arthur Currie and the Battle of Mount Sorrel.”

2013 - The Canadian Forces As an Instrument of Foreign Policy

2012 - Military Operations Achieving Humanitarian Goals