Today, Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, alongside Michael Levitt, Member of Parliament for York Centre, highlighted, on behalf of the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, new equipment and initiatives to better support the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves.

“Through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are working to ensure that Reservists are well-equipped, well-supported, and integrated members of the Canadian Armed Forces. I am pleased at the steps the government has taken and the results we have already seen. Our government will continue to support the women and men in uniform as they do the difficult jobs we ask of them.”

– Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan

“Reservists come from all walks of life. They have helped support Canadian communities affected by recent flooding and have served in major operations such as Afghanistan. It was great meeting with Reservists today. I am proud of the work the government has done to provide better support to them.”

– Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Marco Mendicino

“Today’s Reservists will start to see better infrastructure, better pay, better equipment, and better integration with Canadian Armed Forces compared to the past. This is great news all around, and particular for members who call Toronto home. I am pleased at the opportunity I had to meet with them and to share with them what the government is doing to better support them.”

– Member of Parliament for York Centre, Michael Levitt

• Mission Tasks have now been assigned to every Canadian Army Reserve unit. They include approximately 20 Canadian Army functions, both current and future, that have a clear operational output, such as Assault Pioneers, Cyber Protection Troop, or Light Urban Search and Rescue.

• The new C6A1 FLEX (flexible), procured from Colt Canada, is designed to be carried by soldiers or attached to vehicles. The new machine gun will feature a durable polymer butt stock instead of the current wooden style. Additionally, soldiers will be able to attach pointing devices and optical sighting systems to the new weapon to help increase their operational effectiveness.

• The 500th and last Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle, used by both Regular and Reserve units, was delivered to the CAF in December 2018, on budget. 

• Repairs and upgrades to infrastructure will ensure our facilities can accommodate future growth in the Reserves, as well as new capabilities and equipment to support the evolving needs of a modern Reserve Force. These infrastructure projects will also help create economic opportunities for local businesses in communities across the country. 

• National Defence is analyzing its Reserve infrastructure to help define Reservists’ longer-term infrastructure needs. The results of this study will inform future plans to modernize facilities across the country.

• Previously, Reserve Force pay was a simple 85 percent calculation of the total Regular Force pay. Regular Force pay is composed of two parts: base pay and Military Factor. The Military Factor is a percentage added to the base salaries of Canadian Armed Forces members that compensates them for additional requirements that don’t affect most public servants. 

Associated links

• Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s defence policy
• Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle
• Canadian Army Reserve
• Backgrounder: Strengthening the Army Reserve through Mission Tasks
• Backgrounder: Reserve Force Classes of Service
• Military Pay Rates

Todd Lane
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca