Canadian Rangers: A Systemic Investigation of the Factors That Impact Healthcare Entitlements and Related Benefits of the Rangers

Recommendation 1:

We once again recommend that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces eliminate ambiguity and inconsistency in language in the policy framework for Reservists, with a focus on health care entitlements, as soon as possible, and no later than spring 2019.

Recommendation 1 status:  Accepted  Partially Implemented

While progress has been stagnant since the release of our report, in April 2023 the Chief Military Personnel (CMP) engaged a consultant to develop a health regulatory framework for the Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) that will take the place of the Queen’s Regulations and Orders (QR&O) Chapters 34 and 35. The policy architecture will cover all foundational elements of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) health system and its mandate, including its responsibility to provide health services to various populations in different circumstances such as the Canadian Rangers and their health care entitlements. The drafting of directives, orders, and instructions for the repeal of the QR&O Chapters 34 and 35 has commenced. The anticipated date of completion is March 2026. The Canadian Army (CA) is prepared to support this change and will continue pursuing areas where improvements can be made for the Canadian Rangers. While it is clear that some steps have been taken, nothing yet is in place. We will continue monitoring progress on this recommendation.

Recommendation 2:

We recommend that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces ensure compliance with the existing illness and injury reporting process so that Canadian Rangers are not inadvertently barred from accessing their health care entitlements and related benefits.

Recommendation 2 status:  Accepted  Partially Implemented

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the CAF have many processes in place to provide instructions or directions on reporting illness and injury. The CA has put in place a process map, standard operating procedures, and Aide-Memoires to guide Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups (CRPGs) on Canadian Rangers health care entitlements and the associated forms. The CA reports that CRPGs also emphasize the importance of completing forms CF 98 – Report of Injury, Disease or Illness, and DND 663 – DND/CAF Hazardous Occurrence Investigation, after every training event or operation if injuries or trauma are sustained. Canadian Rangers are also reminded of this information when receiving briefings from subject matter experts at various forums including the Canadian Rangers Corps Conference, the Junior Canadian Rangers Community of Practice, and CFHS presentations. The CMP) indicates that CRPG Headquarters have been briefed on the Reserve Force Compensation (RFC) and Class C extension processes and they have discussed the importance of the program with their members. In support of providing better access to forms used in the reporting of illness or injuries, CMP and the CA shared that the Director General of Compensation and Benefits has translated several forms and documents into Inuktitut. However there is no information on how these forms or documents can be accessed outside of the Defence Information Network.  

Progress was made by the CA and CMP to educate and inform those involved in the process about reporting illnesses and injuries. We will continue to monitor the progress of this recommendation and the steps taken to ensure compliance with the existing directions and instructions for reporting.

Recommendation 3:

We recommend that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces ensure the delivery of health care to Canadian Rangers to which they are entitled by:

• 3.1 Engaging with Canadian Rangers with the view of identifying the barriers to their access to Canadian Armed Forces health care, and their health care needs within their social and cultural contexts.
• 3.2 Identifying and implementing a service delivery model for Canadian Armed Forces health care that is responsive to the identified needs of the Canadian Rangers.

Recommendation 3 status:  Accepted  Partially Implemented

The CAF continues to engage informally with the Canadian Ranger to understand the challenges they face when accessing health care. This collaboration aims to identify the barriers and issues Canadian Rangers encounter with the CFHS. Due to the barriers Canadian Rangers face, they often seek health care--particularly emergency health care--from local (provincial/territorial) health services instead of from the CFHS. As a result, local health services and the CRPGs maintain regular contact. The CRPGs regularly collect information on these barriers during townhall events and meetings where they provide individual support.  

However, progress has been slow when it comes to identifying and implementing a service delivery model for CAF health care that is responsive to the needs of the Canadian Rangers. Since the establishment of the Directorate Canadian Rangers in 2022, bi-annual working group meetings have taken place to review issues of interest and concern regarding the administration of the Canadian Rangers, identify best practices that could be implemented, and to create a community of practice whose collective experience and knowledge could be leveraged moving forward. Representatives who attend these meetings include the Director Canadian Rangers, staff from the CA headquarters, CRPGs, and external authorities relevant to the discussions.  

Our office will continue monitoring progress on this recommendation.

Recommendation 4:

We recommend that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces take concrete steps to ensure Canadian Rangers have a clear understanding of the importance of reporting injuries, and to improve their knowledge and awareness of the health care entitlements and related benefits available to them by:

• 4.1 Amalgamating information on Canadian Ranger health care entitlements and related benefits; distributing this information to Canadian Rangers in various languages and formats as necessary, by fall 2018.
• 4.2 Ensuring that this information is integrated into formal and any other relevant training offered to the Canadian Rangers, by fall 2018.

Recommendation 4 status:  Accepted  Partially Implemented

There have been significant strides taken towards implementing this recommendation. 

In 2023, the Director Pay Policy and Development (DPPD) produced a report that amalgamated all compensation, benefits, and allowances for Primary Reserve members and the Canadian Rangers.  

The CFHS has updated their presentation provided to Canadian Rangers on Canadian Ranger entitlements to health care and mental health care.  

In addition, the Director Casualty Support Administration (DCSM) has provided Inuktitut translations to guide key administration forms and guiding documents. Some examples of these documents include CF 98 – Report of Injury, Disease or Illness, CF 742 – Emergency Contact(s) Notification, DND 2398 – Reserve Force – Compensation During a Period of Injury, Disease, or Illness, DND 2587 – Next of Kin (NOK) Identification, and the Reserve Force Compensation Aide-Memoire. While recognizing that there are over 39 dialects used by the Canadian Rangers, the CA is prepared to provide additional translations as when requested.

The CA has incorporated the provision of these resources to the Canadian Rangers in several ways. The CRPGs and the CA have adopted a flexible communication approach that accommodates the Canadian Rangers in their groups. Presentations have been provided by CFHS, and information briefs have been provided to both Canadian Rangers and their instructors. Recognizing that formal trainings are not mandatory for Canadian Rangers to attend, the CA has incorporated this information into indoctrination training as well as exercise and operations briefings conducted by the Canadian Ranger Instructors when they are in Patrol communities. Canadian Ranger Instructors conduct health status verification through discussion and observation with their Canadian Rangers at the beginning, during, and after a training event or operation. The instructors are also responsible for observing any significant changes in the well-being of the Canadian Rangers and will encouraging them to report any injuries.

In support of these activities, the CA will be developing and publishing a Canadian Ranger handbook and pocketbook by March 2025 that will include information such as injury reporting procedures. While no further details were provided on what other information will be contained in these documents or how they will accommodate the language needs of the Canadian Rangers, these tools will help to ensure that Canadian Rangers have readily available and consistent information about their health care entitlements and the benefits available to them.  

We will continue monitoring progress on this recommendation.