Todd Ross
During the second half of the 20th century, Cold War tensions gripped the world, leaving nations and individuals alike in a state of paranoia. Between the 1950s and 1990s, the Canadian government, in the name of national security, sought the removal of LGBTQ individuals from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and federal public service sectors. LGBTQ individuals in these positions were spied on, investigated, discriminated against, and fired from their jobs, all by fellow Canadians. It was thought that being part of the LGBTQ community was a “character weakness” and that people from that group were predominantly “social and political subversive (radicals)” which made them more vulnerable to communist influences. This led to widespread fear and paranoia, with many LGBTQ individuals forced to hide their sexuality. The federal government’s action ruined many careers and fostered an environment of distrust and discrimination. Todd Ross was one among many that were deeply impacted.
Todd Ross grew up in St. Stephen, New Brunswick (NB). He knew that coming out as gay in a rural part of the province was not safe, so he decided to hide his sexuality. Todd’s love for the CAF was with him since childhood. He joined his hometown’s local Army Cadets unit before his 13th birthday and his time with the Cadet program gave him many opportunities that took him across the country and around the world. Immediately after graduating high school, Todd joined the CAF as a Naval Combat Information Officer; his first base was CFB Cornwallis in Nova Scotia. He only served a year in the navy when the CAF’s special investigations unit set their sights on him. After being heavily interrogated, he came out to his superiors – and then was dismissed from the navy. He received an honourable discharge, but any benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) would not apply to him or any other purged CAF personnel. After being discharged, he moved to Toronto and began working for his Member of Provincial Parliament.
A Later Legal Victory
Over time, the rules and attitudes towards LGBTQ service members softened, mirroring a broader shift in Canadian society’s views. However, LGBTQ service members were still encouraged to leave the CAF and those who refused were denied any promotion. In 1990, Michelle Douglas, who was forcibly discharged for being a lesbian, along with three other LGBTQ service members, filed a lawsuit against the CAF. In the fall of 1992, the order that allowed the discrimination of LGBTQ service members (CFAO 19-20) was finally revoked. The federal government ruled that LGBTQ individuals could now serve in the CAF without being forcibly discharged; all previous formal career restrictions were also removed. Service members who were purged could now rejoin the CAF with full access to VAC benefits and services.
In 2013-14, LGBTQ purge survivors and LGBTQ activists demanded an official apology from the Canadian government for all the discrimination the purge survivors experienced. In 2016, Todd Ross, Martine Roy, and Alida Satalic launched a class action lawsuit against the Canadian government on behalf of the survivors of the LGBTQ Purge. It was not until November 28th, 2017, that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued an official apology to LGBTQ CAF service members, RCMP service members, and federal public workers. A settlement was reached in June 2018 with $110 million dedicated as compensation to LGBTQ Purge victims and another $15-25 million for reconciliation and memorialization efforts.
“For the oppression of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit communities, we apologize. On behalf of the government, Parliament, and the people of Canada: We were wrong. We are sorry. And we will never let this happen again.” |-| An excerpt from PM Justin Trudeau’s formal apology, 2017 |-|
Todd Ross (on the right) receiving an award. (Credit: University of New Brunswick)
Todd Ross is a Métis veteran and a 2-spirited individual currently splitting his living time between Toronto, ON, and Campobello Island, NB, with his partner Kirk. Todd works as a Public Affairs Consultant, focusing on healthcare and Indigenous Rights. He has experience working as a health systems planner in Ontario and has served as a director to the province’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. He is also serving as the Vice President of Anishnawbe Health Toronto, an Indigenous Community Health Centre, and the Chair for the Toronto and York Region Metis Council of the Metis Nation of Ontario. He has worked for numerous organizations involving the LGBTQ community, healthcare, and the Indigenous community, plus, he is a founding member of Rainbow Railroad, a non-profit dedicated to help LGBTQ individuals, globally, from state-enabled violence, persecution, and murder.
Main: Todd Ross in 1989. (Credit: Veterans Canada)
Sources:
Canada, Veterans Affairs. “Todd Ross – Veterans Affairs Canada,” December 28, 2023. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/people-and-stories/todd-ross.
Todd Ross. “ABOUT TODD | Todd Ross,” n.d. https://www.toddross.ca/about-todd.
Canada, Veterans Affairs. “Pride in Service – Veterans Affairs Canada,” August 14, 2024. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/people-and-stories/pride-in-service.
The Canadian Encyclopaedia. “Canada’s Cold War Purge of LGBTQ2 From Public Service,” n.d. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lgbtq-purge-in-canada.
Purge LGBT. “About – Purge LGBT,” June 12, 2024. https://lgbtpurgefund.com/about/#:~:text=In%202016%2C%20survivors%20of%20the,behalf%20of%20the%20class%20members.