Systemic Pay Evaluation for the Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) Occupation

Topic

Systemic Pay Evaluation for the Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) Occupation

Case numbers

• 2024-191 (F&R date: 2025-07-22)
• 2024-237 (F&R date: 2025-07-21)
• 2024-239 (F&R date: 2025-07-28)
• 2024-243 (F&R date: 2025-07-28)
• 2024-245 (F&R date: 2025-07-28)
• 2024-256 (F&R date: 2025-07-21)
• 2024-265 (F&R date: 2025-07-28)
• 2024-266 (F&R date: 2025-07-28)
• 2024-275 (F&R date: 2025-07-28)
• 2024-277 (F&R date: 2025-07-29)
• 2024-286 (F&R date: 2025-07-24)
• 2024-315 (F&R date: 2025-07-23)

Description

From 2017 to 2023, changes to the SAR Tech pay have created an environment where colleagues who share the same high professional standards and environmental risks have different levels of compensation. In some cases, members with less experience in the occupation earn considerably more than their colleagues. Most corporals who qualified before 2023 earn significantly more than recent graduates because of an oversight in seniority calculations. Compounding the issue was a direction issued by the Acting Chief of Military Personnel that raised the pay of all senior non-commissioned members serving in the occupation on 31 March 2021 to their maximum entitlement. The net result is two huge gaps in pay that are difficult to rationalize. As the gaps translate in a delta in pay of hundreds of thousands of dollars over one's career with equivalent pension implications, it is a significant demoralizer for many.

Recommendation

The Committee recommended that the Chief of the Defence Staff direct a systemic pay evaluation for the SAR Tech occupation. The aim of the evaluation should be to identify ways to mitigate the gaps in a manner that is equitable and then, work with the Treasury Board Secretariat on an implementation strategy. Otherwise, the gaps will continue to affect morale and thus, retention for the next 10 years.