Parliamentary Secretary Lamoureux Highlights Investments in Canada’s Reserve Force

News Release

June 13, 2017 – Winnipeg, Manitoba — Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces 

Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada’s new defence policy, recognizes that the long-term success of Canada’s military depends on the women and men who make up the Canadian Armed Forces. Our people, across all ranks, and from all walks of life, are our most important asset, and they are at the core of the new policy. 

Following the launch of Strong, Secure, Engaged, Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, today met with Reservists at the Minto Armoury in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to highlight the new vision and investments in Canada’s Reserve Force as a result of the new policy.

Strong, Secure, Engaged will:

  • Increase the size of the Reserve Force by 1,500 to 30,000, to ensure it can meet its full operational potential;
  • Align Primary Reserve compensation and benefits with Regular Force members where duties are similar;
  • Integrate Reservists with the Regular Force in additional roles, such as light urban search and rescue, intelligence operators, and cyber operators;
  • Employ the Reserve Force to deliver select expeditionary missions in a primary role such as Canadian Armed Forces capacity building;
  • Ensure Reservists are appropriately trained, prepared and equipped in sufficient numbers to be ready to contribute to operations at home and abroad;
  • Offer full-time summer employment to Reservists in their first four years with the Reserves commencing in 2018; and
  • Attract and retain top quality candidates, while reducing the length of the recruitment process for Reservists to a matter of weeks.

Canada’s Reserve Force forms an integral part of the Canadian Armed Forces providing a full-time capacity through part-time service. The Reserve Force works alongside the Regular Force on both national and international operations, making substantial contributions to the safety and security of Canada and its citizens. 

Canada can only meet its defence needs at home and abroad with the dedicated, motivated, and highly skilled people who work tirelessly to defend Canada and promote Canadian values and interests internationally. Canada’s Reserve Force is critical to our ability to succeed. These investments and this new vision for the Reserves will enable Canada to meet its military commitments and ensure that Canada is strong at home, secure in North America, and engaged in the world.

Quotes

“The women and men of our Reserve Force bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that enrich and strengthen our military. As security challenges evolve, it is our duty to support our Reservists and ensure they have the skills, training, and capabilities they need to continue to excel. I look forward to building a stronger Reserve Force and a more capable and agile military that I know will serve Canada with pride.” 

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan

“Canadian Armed Forces Reservists have a link to Canada’s proud military heritage. They come from our communities and work alongside the Regular Force on military operations at home and around the globe. Strong, Secure, Engaged outlines a new vision for a larger, better supported Reserve Force that will help ensure the continued success of our Canadian Armed Forces at home and abroad.” 

Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Kevin Lamoureux

Quick Facts

  • Defence is taking action to transform the Reserves by:

    • Putting in place measures to encourage members who are leaving the Regular Force to join the Reserves, by revising annuitant employment regulations so that members can more easily transfer between the Regular and Reserve Force;
    • Employing the Reserve Force to deliver select deployed missions in a primary role such as capacity building;
    • Providing federal tax relief on the military salaries of all Canadian Armed Forces personnel, up to the salary level of Lieutenant-Colonel, deployed on named international operations as designated by the Chief of the Defence Staff. Like regular Force members, Reservists are eligible for this tax relief.
    • Creating an agile service model that supports the transition between full and part-time service and provides the flexibility to cater to different Reserve career paths; and
    • Working with provinces and territories to harmonize job protection for Reservists at the federal level.
  • The launch of Strong, Secure, Engaged concludes the most comprehensive review process in Canadian defence and security history – a year-long review process that included open and transparent consultations with Canadians, parliamentarians, defence experts, allies, and partners.

Associated Links

Contacts

Jordan Owens 
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence    
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: jordan.owens@forces.gc.ca 

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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