News Release
CFRG/GRFC NR 2007.02 (DGRMC/DGRCM) - June 7, 2007
OTTAWA - The Canadian Forces’ expansion efforts
continue to succeed, as demonstrated by a net increase of 1,000 personnel in
the CF’s Regular Force during fiscal year 2006-2007. This growth is in
addition to a net increase of 1,300 personnel in the Reserve Force during the
same period.
"As part of our Canada First approach, this Government has made it a
priority to increase the size of the Canadian Forces to 75,000 Regular Force
and 35,000 Reserve Force members over the long term," Minister O’Connor
said. "To meet our policy goals, the Canadian Forces will need to
grow at a rate of about 1,000 Regular Force and 500 Reserve personnel per year. Active
recruitment efforts are vital to ensure the long-term effectiveness and relevance
of our military. I commend the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group on its
success."
In total, the Canadian Forces enrolled 6,536 new full-time and 6,326 part-time
soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen during the 2006/2007 fiscal year, exceeding
the goals of 6,426 and 6,025 respectively. These new recruits offset
normal annual attrition in order to expand the Forces.
“Supported by a national advertising campaign and a new, more
dynamic website, we have successfully delivered the message that there are
challenging and rewarding careers with the Canadian Forces,” said Commodore
Roger MacIsaac, Director General Recruiting and Military Careers. “These
are ordinary Canadians who, through the training and job experience we provide,
are going to accomplish extraordinary things and make a difference in the lives
of people all over the world.”
Canadian Forces Recruiting Group, which is mandated to fulfill the CF’s
strategic intake plan, introduced new applicant processing protocols last year
to improve the efficiency of the process while maintaining enrolment standards. As
a result, 21% of applicants received job offers within a week of submitting
the documents required by the application process.
In addition, applicants to high-priority occupations, such as naval electronics
technician and artillery soldier, are given priority for processing. Qualified
applicants may be eligible for subsidized education.
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Note to Editors: A backgrounder on the Canadian Forces “high-priority” occupations
is available at: http://www.forces.ca/v3/media/news/backgrounders/BG-2007.01
HiPri Occ - en.pdf. For more information on Canadian Forces recruiting,
please contact the national Media Liaison Office at 613-996-2354.
