Personnel

Recruitment, Retention, Reconstitution

Key Facts

Details

Current Trained Effective Strength

• As of September 30, 2024, the Trained Effective Strength (Regular Force) and post-occupational functional point (Primary Reserve) of members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, broken down by component, are as follows:

• As of September 30, 2024, the pilot occupation has a trained effective strength of 1,366 personnel out of a total 1,556 available positions in the Regular Force, meaning this occupation is staffed at a level of 87.8%.

Interim Reconstitution Employment Measure (IREM)

• On August 9, 2024, National Defence introduced the IREM, which is effective immediately and seeks to maintain and leverage CAF members' talent, experience, and expertise.
• This measure that will enable the temporary employment of trained CAF members with permanent medical limitations within an occupation experiencing a critical shortage, or those who hold a required specific skill set, to continue their service in uniform on an interim basis during the reconstitution period.
• Members eligible for an IREM will be approved for a three-year period and on a case-by-case basis. At any time, a member can request to end an approved IREM and elect to be released medically if they meet that specific release category.

Indigenous Recruitment

• National Defence implements a broad range of proactive and targeted recruitment programs aimed at increasing the representation of Indigenous Peoples in the CAF. These programs and initiatives include:
  • The CAF Indigenous Entry Program: A three-week hands-on experience program for Indigenous Peoples who are considering a career in the CAF.
  • The Indigenous Leadership Opportunity Year: Provides Indigenous participants with exposure to the CAF military and academic disciplines. Enrolled and paid as Officer Cadets, participants experience university-level educational and leadership opportunities at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario; Notably, it is the only Indigenous program focused on developing potential officers. Participants are enrolled into the Regular Force as Officer Cadets.
  • Primary Reserve Indigenous Summer Programs: Multiple six-week paid programs available, which integrate cultural teachings with military training. Participants who successfully complete a program are granted the CAF Army Reserve Basic Military Qualification.

Military Personnel Generation Transformation Office (MPGTO)

• In response to recruiting challenges, National Defence has sought to create a modern, agile and human-centric Online Application Portal (OAP). Full rollout of this system is expected by February 2025.
• Some updates to the system expected through this initiative include:
  • Compatibility with most mobile phones and tablets though multiple browsers.
  • A self-scheduling tool for applicants to book medicals, interviews and testing if required, thus aiming to reduce no show rates and improving candidate transparency.
  • The download and upload of documentation into an applicant's personalized dashboard including digital signatures, decreasing the necessity for hard copies and in-person visits by applicants.

2023 Pay Increases

• General service officers (Lieutenant-Colonel and below), pilots, medical and dental officers and all non-commissioned members received a 12% pay increase over 4 years (2021-2024).
• Non-commissioned members in Standard and Specialist 2 Trade groups also received an additional pay raise, effective April 1, 2023 to narrow the gap between Standard and Specialist pay from 13%-6% to 10%-5%.
• Colonels, Generals, Flag Officers, and Legal Officers received 13% pay increase over four years, in line with other Government of Canada Executives (2022-2025).

Military Housing on CAF Bases and Wings

Key Facts

Details

Affordable Housing (Budget 2024)

• Budget 2024 indicates that the Government is exploring the redevelopment of suitable National Defence properties in Halifax, Toronto, and Victoria that could be suitable for both military and civilian uses.
• It also states that National Defence is working with Canada Lands Company and other partners to divest 14 surplus properties that have potential for housing and are not needed for National Defence operations. These properties include:
  • The Amherst Armoury in Amherst, Nova Scotia;
  • 96 D'Auteuil and 87 St-Louis in Québec City, Quebec;
  • The National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa, Ontario;
  • The former HMCS Hunter Armoury in Windsor, Ontario; and,
  • The Brigadier Murphy Armoury in Vernon, British Columbia

Military Housing Investments

• In 2023, National Defence committed to investing $475 million over ten years (2023-24 to 2032-33) in the housing portfolio from Departmental reference levels.
• These investments in the housing portfolio will allow National Defence to construct 668 residential housing units by 2030 in those areas with the greatest need (Esquimalt, Edmonton, Borden, Trenton, Kingston, Petawawa, Valcartier, Halifax and Gagetown). The plan is to build higher-density buildings, such as new apartment buildings and multi-unit dwellings, to make better and more efficient use of land and infrastructure.
• In spring 2024, construction began on six net-zero ready buildings in Edmonton, the first residential net-zero-emission-ready buildings in the federal government, through a $19 million contract awarded to Bird Construction, of Edmonton, Alberta.
• These homes will be designed to promote energy efficiency and low carbon operation.

Shelter Charge (Rent) Adjustments for Defence Housing

• CAF members who wish to rent a home have the option of renting in the private sector or requesting to occupy a residential housing unit from National Defence.
• Crown housing is provided as an alternative for CAF members to consider for their personal living accommodation solution.
• The Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) was created to manage, maintain, and allocate residential housing on behalf of National Defence, in support of CAF members.
• The Government of Canada and National Defence are required to review shelter charges annually to determine whether any adjustments in the shelter charges are required to reflect changes in the local rental market.
• This review may result in an increase, a decrease, or no change in the monthly shelter charge for Defence housing and helps to ensure fairness and equity for CAF members and their families, regardless of whether they choose to live in the private sector or not.
• Since 2014, National Defence has reviewed shelter charges annually and adjusted the rates using Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) – the Rented Accommodation CPI for the provinces in accordance with DND and TBS direction.
• As there is no provincial (territorial) rented accommodation CPI for Yellowknife and Iqaluit, National Defence applies the annual Canada January Rent CPI percentage adjustment for Yellowknife and Iqaluit, as directed by the Treasury Board Secretariat.

NDDN Report on Housing, Gaps to Fill Housing and Other Needed Supports for Canadian Armed Forces Members and their Families

• On 22 October 2024, NDDN presented its report on housing in the House of Commons.
• The Committee included 25 recommendations that relate to standards of living; addressing the procurement and contracting process; tracking relevant statistics related to housing, such as wait times, shortages, and number of units; encouraging collaboration with municipalities to develop non-profit and cooperative housing near bases; and more.
• The Government Response to this report must be tabled by 17 February 2025.

Cost-of-Living Supports

Key Facts

Details

Affordable Housing (Budget 2024)

• Budget 2024 indicates that the government is exploring the redevelopment of National Defence properties in Halifax, Toronto, and Victoria that could be suitable for both military and civilian uses.
• It also states that National Defence is working with Canada Lands Company and other partners to divest 14 surplus properties. These properties include:
  • The Amherst Armoury in Amherst, Nova Scotia;
  • 96 D'Auteuil and 87 St-Louis in Québec City, Quebec;
  • The National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa, Ontario; and,
  • The Brigadier Murphy Armoury in Vernon, British Columbia

Cost-of-Living Supports

• Affordable Childcare – Our North, Strong and Free committed $100 million to improve members' access to affordable childcare at bases across the country. Childcare specifically for CAF families is already available through the Military Family Resource Centres of 20 of 32 bases and wings; however, their services are often limited or run by provincially incorporated non-profit organizations.
• Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD) – To help CAF members posted to high-cost regions manage housing costs, CAF members have access to the CFHD which is aimed at ensuring that those CAF members who most require support are prioritized.
  • The CFHD policy is specific to housing costs, not overall cost of living, and is based on an equitable rather than equal approach.
  • The CFHD rates are calculated so that CAF members are not required to spend 25% or more of their monthly income on housing.
  • As of July 1, 2024, the CFHD rates for 75% of locations increased, 10% remained the same or are new to the list, and 15% have decreased.
• Provisional Post Living Differential (PPLD) – The PPLD took effect July 1, 2023, and will ease the transition from PLD to the CFHD. The 15-year rate freeze of PLD created an environment where members became accustomed to the allowance when cost-of-living stressors were eased through pay increases and local economic factors. The PPLD will cease on June 30, 2026.

Military Justice System Modernization Act (Bill C-66)

Key Facts

Details

• The proposed legislation is grouped into four key areas:
  1. Removing the CAF's investigative and prosecutorial jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada, thereby addressing Recommendation 5 of the Honourable Louise Arbour's Report of the Independent External Comprehensive Review, which states that, "Criminal Code sexual offences should be removed from the jurisdiction of the CAF. They should be prosecuted exclusively in civilian criminal courts in all cases. Where the offence takes place in Canada, it should be investigated by civilian police forces at the earliest opportunity." The proposed legislation will provide exclusive jurisdiction to civilian authorities to investigate and prosecute such offences when committed in Canada.
     Regarding sexual offences that take place outside of Canada, Madame Arbour stated: "Where the offence takes place outside of Canada, the MP may act in the first instance to safeguard evidence and commence an investigation,but should liaise with civilian law enforcement at the earliest possible opportunity."
     Recommendation #5 is the only recommendation from Madame Arbour that can exclusively be implemented through legislation. Work is either complete or underway to implement all 48 recommendations, and the External Monitor, Madame Jocelyne Therrien, provides external oversight of this progress.
     Conclusively removing jurisdiction from the CAF to investigate and prosecute Criminal Code Sexual Offences that occur outside of Canada raises significant legal, jurisdictional, policy and operational questions that will require additional analysis and further consultation.
  2. Addressing eight recommendations (2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16) from the Third Independent Review of the National Defence Act report by former Supreme Court Justice Fish. These amendments seek to, among other things:
     • Modify the process for the appointment of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Director of Defence Counsel Services;
     • Expand the class of persons who are eligible to be appointed as a military judge to include non-commissioned members;
     • Affirm the Judge Advocate General's respect for the independence of authorities in the military justice system in the exercise of its superintendence of the administration of military justice;
     • Change the title of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal to the Provost Marshal General to align with the titles of other senior designations in the CAF, such as the Surgeon General, the Chaplain General, and the Judge Advocate General.
  3. Removing military judges from the summary hearing system, and expanding access to Victim Liaison Officers, under the Declaration of Victims’ Rights, to individuals acting on behalf of a victim.
  4. Amending the National Defence Act to align sex offender information and publication ban provisions with the amendments made to the Criminal Code in An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act. These proposed amendments are necessary to ensure the parallel military justice system remains constitutional and aligned with the Criminal Code and the civilian criminal justice system.