Minister of National Defence visits Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg
News release
August 13, 2025 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Yesterday, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, visited Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg, to meet with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.
CFB Winnipeg is home to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 17 Wing, 1 and 2 Canadian Air Divisions, 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron, and 435 "Chinthe" Transport and Rescue Squadron. It also houses the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training and the RCAF’s Barker College, which furthers RCAF capability development through a variety of professional development programs.
Minister McGuinty met with the Commander of 2 Canadian Air Division (CAD), who leads RCAF training and education, to discuss the recently announced raise in pay and benefits for CAF members. During the visit, Minister McGuinty reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s dedication to supporting CAF members and their families with a competitive compensation package.
This enhanced support includes making changes to posting allowances to follow a more equitable scheme based on the number of moves, and enhancing the Imposed Restrictions benefits to help offset the additional costs associated with living apart and maintaining a second household.These benefits exist to compensate CAF members whose duties expose them to adverse conditions not always experienced by others, even in the military.
These investments support the well-being, resilience, and effectiveness of CAF members, recognizing the unique challenges they face, including frequent relocations, extended separations from their family, and the demands of 24/7 readiness. This approach provides compensation and benefits that are more reflective of modern realities of military service while encouraging CAF members’ participation in key training activities.
During his time at CFB Winnipeg, Minister McGuinty also visited with members of 402 and 435 Squadrons and toured the site of the future RCAF Aircrew Training Centre.
Quotes
“The strength of the Canadian Armed Forces lies in its people. Enhanced compensation, strong benefits, and meaningful career opportunities are essential to ensuring our soldiers, sailors, and aviators remain ready to serve whenever and wherever they are needed. By investing in their well-being and professional development, we are directly strengthening Canada’s security and operational readiness.”
- The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
“Our members are committed to generating, sustaining and delivering air missions in support of the Royal Canadian Air Force mandate, as well as training the aircrew who are so vital to CAF operations. The improved CAF pay and allowance structure recognizes the unique skills of our people and the demanding tasks that they deliver for Canadians every day.”
- Colonel Jody Hanson, Commander of 17 Wing Winnipeg
Quick facts
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17 Wing is located at CFB Winnipeg and is under the operational command of 2 Canadian Air Division. 17 Wing generates, delivers and sustains air missions in support of the RCAF mandate, and provides support to Lodger Units and the CAF. It provides aircrew training and specialized education.
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As a support base, 17 Wing provides administrative, operational, and logistical support to more than 113 units at 35 sites and 10 Reserve Force armouries located in communities across an extended geographical area. 17 Wing also supports NORAD fighter operations as a Deployed Operations Base for the CF-18 Hornets as required.
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The implementation of this new compensation and benefits package represents an approximately 20% increase in the overall envelope for CAF compensation and benefits.
Associated links
Contacts
Laurent de Casanove
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: laurent.decasanove@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca