Minister of National Defence visits Canadian Armed Forces members in Borden
News release
August 12, 2025 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
On August 11, 2025, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, made his inaugural visit to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, in Ontario, to meet with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members stationed there.
This trip comes after the Government of Canada’s announcement to give CAF members a pay raise, benefitting members of the Regular Force and the Reserve Force, including the Canadian Rangers and the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service.
During this trip, Minister McGuinty met with the Commander of CFB Borden and the Military Personnel Generation Training Group to discuss housing, infrastructure and family support on base. He also took part in a town hall with members to discuss how the new compensation and benefits package will help actively address current challenges related to recruitment and retention, which will enable the CAF to continue to attract top talent, so that Canada’s military remains a strong and resilient force for today and the future.
To address these challenges, the improved compensation and benefits package will see investments in recruits and instructors. Specifically, instructors at CAF training establishments and recruits joining stressed occupations will be provided with increased allowances enabling the next generation of CAF members for success.
Minister McGuinty also toured CFB Borden’s Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre to learn more about the training for Canadian Forces Health Services professionals and visit with students.
Quotes
“To maintain a well trained and operationally effective force of soldiers, sailors, and aviators, the Canadian Armed Forces must invest in the long-term well-being, job satisfaction, and career development of its personnel. Improved compensation and benefits are essential elements of that investment.”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“For every soldier in the field, aviator in the air, or sailor at sea, there are several other military members in trades that support them. Military Personnel Generation Training Group and the CFB Borden team are committed to effectively train and support those personnel who are vital to operations. The new instructor allowance for instructors and training support staff recognizes the unique skills and demanding work that it takes to develop tomorrow’s leaders.”
Colonel Melissa Ramessar, Commander of Canadian Forces Base Borden and Military Personnel Generation Training Group
Quick facts
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CFB Borden is the CAF’s largest training establishment, and trains on average 20,000 military personnel annually. The Commander of CFB Borden is also Commander of the Military Personnel Generation Training Group, the headquarters of which are also located at CFB Borden.
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Under the Military Personnel Generation Training Group is the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, which oversees training CAF members.
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Improvements to compensation and benefits for CAF members include a combination of measures and initiatives to strengthen and support CAF readiness.
Associated links
Contacts
Alice Hansen
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: Alice.Hansen2@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca