State of the Canadian Armed Forces

The State of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) tool is designed to provide regular updates and awareness of the current strength of the CAF. The information provided on this webpage is based on the most current data available from live systems at the time of reporting. As these systems are continuously updated, historical data may be adjusted to reflect new information, leading to minor variances.

CAF Recruitment

Our North, Strong and Free commits to modernizing the CAF recruitment process and rebuilding the military to an authorized strength of 71,500 Regular Force and 38,800^{Footnote 2} Reserve Force members prior to March 31, 2032.

On April 20, 2026, the CAF announced that it met its Regular Force recruiting objective for the second consecutive year, while highlighting an increased objective for fiscal year 2026/27.

The CAF recruits people interested in making a difference as part of a dynamic, exciting, and diverse team to protect Canadian values and interests at home and abroad. To help achieve this, the CAF recently changed its recruitment process.

These modernization efforts include the implementation of a probationary period, streamlining the security clearance process, implementation of the Scored Employment Application Form, re-evaluating common enrolment medical standards, and the creation of a new Online Applicant Portal.

Probationary Period

Applicants can train while the administrative work takes place. During this process, if the recruit does not meet the required security clearance, right personality, medical or any other aspect of being a suitable CAF member, they will be released from the CAF in an expedited manner.

Streamlining Security Clearance Process

Most applicants can now start their basic training upon receiving Reliability Status clearance, with elevated security clearance processed in parallel. A reliability Status includes a check on a candidate’s citizenship, residency, travel, education, and foreign ties.

This change speeds up enrolment while maintaining rigorous security standards. New recruits must still obtain the appropriate clearance for their occupation after their basic training. If it is not provided at that time, they will be offered an occupational transfer or an option to release.

Scored Employment Application Form

The Scored Employment Application Form (SEAF) evaluates and examines an array of essential qualities for personal and organizational success. The SEAF evaluates candidates based on education, experience, leadership, and other life achievements, providing a broader, barrier-free assessment.

The implementation of the SEAF assessment tool enhances the overall applicant experience and provides a faster path to enrolment without compromising standards.

Modernized Common Enrolment Medical Standards

The CAF reviews medical standards for CAF applicants on a case-by-case basis and ensures that applications are individually assessed to determine whether any specific medical employment limitations should be considered for the applicant, and to ensure their eligibility for enrolment and likelihood of success during basic training.

Online Applicant Portal

The Online Applicant Portal (OAP) launched in March 2025 and was designed primarily to ease the application process for prospects. While the application steps remained the same, the OAP now saves applicants time by supporting electronic document submission. The electronic upload capabilities help reduce the number of visits to a recruiting detachment, thereby providing more flexibility to applicants from isolated communities.

CAF Population

Last updated: March 31, 2026

CAF Population summary

	Actual	Authorized / Target
Regular Force^{Footnote 1}	67,827	71,500
Primary Reserve^{Footnote 2}	32,444	38,800

State of Regular Force Recruitment

Enrolment and Component Transfers

	Target	Actual	Achieved
External^{Footnote 3}	6,957	7,310	105%
Internal^{Footnote 4}	655	758	116%
Total	7,612	8,068	106%

Enrolment by fiscal year

Fiscal year	Enrolment^{Footnote 5}
2024–2025	6,710
2023–2024	4,334
2022–2023	3,924
2021–2022	4,782
2020–2021	2,011

Intake Achieved by Occupation Authority

	Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)	Canadian Army (CA)	Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)	Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM)^{Footnote 6}	Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
Target^{Footnote 7}	1,114	3,178	1,360	1,960	7,612
Intake	1,208	3,200	1,479	2,181	8,068
Achieved	108%	101%	109%	111%	106%
Total Strength^{Footnote 8}	8,089	22,674	14,642	22,422	67,827

Footnote 1

As of March 31, 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Regular Force has a total strength of 67,827 and is 3,673 short of its authorized strength of 71,500.

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Footnote 2

The Primary Reserve Authorized/Target is determined based on Average Paid Strength (APS). APS represents the equivalent of full-time personnel. The Primary Reserve has an APS of 25,054 and is 4,946 short of its authorized strength of 30,000.

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Footnote 3

External intake includes Regular Force enrolments and Component Transfers from Supplementary Reserve, Cadet Organization Administration and Training Service, and Canadian Rangers.

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Footnote 4

Internal intake represents Component Transfers from the Primary Reserve.

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Footnote 5

Enrolment numbers include direct enrollments into the Regular Force as well as component transfers from Cadet Organization Administration and Training Service, Rangers, and Supplementary Reserve.

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Footnote 6