As part of the ongoing image makeover of the military, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced Monday that the army will replace the Maple Leaf rank designation on the shoulder boards of officers with the traditional "pips" and Crowns in a nod to the country's past.

The ranks of non-commissioned officers will also be returned to the original British Army and Commonwealth designations.

The decision means the rank of private, within the army, will be virtually eliminated and replaced with trooper, bombardier, fusilier, rifleman or guardsman, depending on the unit.

The designations were in place throughout the First and Second World Wars, when Canada achieved some of its greatest military triumphs, and the changes don't strip away any Canadian identity, but rather strengthen the bond with the past, MacKay said. "This takes nothing away from the Maple Leaf," he said. "There are other places which the Maple Leaf is honoured. This in no way diminishes Canadian identity, and I would suggest we are returning to the insignia that was so much a part of what the Canadian Army accomplished in Canada's name."

MacKay pointed out that the Australians have always kept their army rank and insignia closely allied with their British roots, despite a strong movement in that country to pull away from the tradition.

The army is not alone. There have been subtle changes to the uniforms of naval officers, returning a distinctive curl to the cuff rings.

The Harper government, over the last couple of years, has returned different branches of the military to their 1960s pre-amalgamation names, re-introducing the Royal designation to the air force and navy.

In addition, it changed around the placement of flags on warships, moving the naval ensign — which is closely associated with the Royal Navy — back up to the mast and flying the Canadian flag from the bow whenever a ship was in port.

MacKay also announced on Monday the elimination of the geographic designations within the domestic army command, organizing different regions of the country into their historic "divisions," replacing the somewhat bland-sounding land forces designation.

Liberal defence critic John McKay was mystified by all the attention being paid to pageantry, and described it as a distraction from some of the real and substantive issues, particularly funding concerns, that are in front of the military.

"It is an announcement that is not substantive," he said from Toronto on Monday. "And I am not unmindful they would love to expunge anything Liberal out of Canadian history."

The unification of the military branches and common ranking system were introduced by the Liberals in 1968.

McKay said he's not heard a "hue and cry" from the ranks for a return to the old system, and suggested it might even be insulting to immigrants, especially those from countries that resented British colonial rule.

It's annoying to have a Minister responsible named MacKay and an Opposition critic named McKay!
Further details for the insignia nuts among you, from the DND backgrounder:

Restoring the Canadian Army’s historical identity

BG - 13.028 - July 8, 2013

When the Government of Canada announced that it was reinstating the historical name of the Canadian Army in August 2011, it restored an important part of the Canadian Army’s heritage. The restoration of traditions related to the historical identity of the Canadian Army appropriately reflects the re-designation of the institution.

The proposed changes include the re-introduction of divisional nomenclature and patches for the current Land Force Areas; traditional rank insignia for officers; corps shoulder titles following the restoration of traditional titles to a number of Canadian Army corps in April 2013; and the Canadian Army’s secondary badge. Further, the Minister of National Defence announced the intention to restore the historical Army rank names for non-commissioned members.
Divisional Nomenclature and Patches

Land Force Areas will be renamed as divisions and Canadian Army personnel will wear appropriate division patches. Formations will be renamed as follows:

Land Force Quebec Area will be referred to as “2nd Canadian Division”;
Land Force Western Area will be referred to as “3rd Canadian Division”;
Land Force Central Area will be referred to as “4th Canadian Division”;
Land Force Atlantic Area will be referred to as “5th Canadian Division”; and
Land Force Doctrine and Training System will be referred to as “Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre”.

There will be no change to 1st Canadian Division Headquarters.

Corps Shoulder Titles

Following the restoration of the Canadian Army’s corps in April 2013, corps metal and cloth shoulder titles will be produced.

Army Rank Names

The historical rank names for non-commissioned members, which have long been used informally, are being considered for formalization, at which point they would change as follows:

Privates of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps will be referred to as “Trooper”;
Privates and corporals of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery will be referred to as “Gunner” and “Bombardier” respectively;
Privates of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers will be referred to as “Sapper”;
Privates of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals will be addressed as “Signaller”;
Some Privates of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps will be referred to as “Fusilier,” “Rifleman” or “Guardsman”, depending on their type of unit; and
Privates of the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will be referred to as “Craftsman”.

In addition, the second lieutenants and warrant officers in Guards regiments will be addressed as “Ensign” and “Colour Sergeant”, respectively.
Traditional Insignia for Officers

In line with the formalization of historical rank names for non-commissioned members, the traditional army officer rank insignia – with the stars, or “pips,” and crowns – are being restored. This ranking system is more than a hundred years old and continues to be used by armies the world over. Historically, the variations of the stars and crown were used to delineate rank so that officers could recognize each other on the battlefield. Canadian Army colonels and general officers will also wear the traditional gorget patches.

Canadian Army Secondary Badge

The new Canadian Army secondary badge is based on the historical Canadian Army badge used during and after the Second World War. It features the crossed swords, overlaid by three maple leaves conjoined on one stem. A crown is placed atop the maple leaves. The secondary badge will be displayed on the Canadian Army ensign and pocket badge.

Conclusion

The restoration of these features is a significant step in the restoration of the Canadian Army’s traditions. Symbols and traditions establish links to soldiers’ heritage, and represent meaningful reminders of military history.