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 made toward addressing ambiguities and inconsistencies in the policy language regarding CAF health care entitlements for Reservists, no formal changes have been implemented. The language in Queen’s Regulations and Orders (QR&O) Chapters 34 (Medical) and 35 (Dental) remains unclear, leading to inconsistent interpretations and access to care.

The Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) Health Regulatory Framework Project is actively working on updates to these regulations, which includes initial consultations within the CAF and determining which form the updates will take (Ministerial Directives). The Interim Guidance for the Delivery of Health Care to Reserve Force Personnel - Canada.ca (2010) remains the reference document until further notice.

This recommendation is therefore considered partially implemented, and we will continue to monitor progress.

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 intent of this recommendation was to ensure that Canadian Rangers who are ill or injured are aware of their reporting process and that those that support them are aware of their obligations. Significant progress was made toward implementing this recommendation.

The Canadian Army (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 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 Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) presentations. The CA has also integrated support for ill or injured Rangers as part of the training for new Rangers as well as being embedded in the Canadian Rangers Instructor Training.

In support of providing better access to forms used in the reporting of illness or injuries, several forms and documents have been translated into Inuktitut. For example:

• CF98 – North Baffin – Inuktitut 
• CF98 – South Baffin – Inuktitut 
• Process Map – North Baffin – Inuktitut 
• Process Map – South Baffin – Inuktitut 
• DND 2398 – North Baffin – Inuktitut 
• DND 2398 – South Baffin – Inuktitut 
• Reserve Force Compensation Aide Memoire – North Baffin – Inuktitut 
• Reserve Force Compensation Aide Memoire – South Baffin – Inuktitut 

However, these documents are only available on the Defence Network which limits access for many Canadian Rangers.

To address this, this fiscal year (2025/2026) the CA is working on a pilot project with D365, which is a cloud-based collaborative platform available outside the Defence Network. While these efforts are promising, the recommendation remains partially implemented until forms are easily accessible to Canadian Rangers. We will continue to monitor this recommendation’s progress.

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

Progress made toward implementing this recommendation.

The Canadian Army (CA) has established the Northern and Arctic Medical Support Working Group in 2025. The CAF also engages informally with the Canadian Rangers to better understand barriers to accessing healthcare. Additionally, local health services and the Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups (CRPGs) maintain regular contact to support healthcare needs.

The appointment of a CA Surgeon and deputy, as well as the Canadian Rangers Enhancement (CRE) initiative creates potential for a system to be developed that will address the Canadian Rangers’ unique needs. The aim of the initiative is to work towards the enhancement and optimization of the Canadian Rangers in a unified approach. This includes: the development of a formal military occupation and occupational structure for the Canadian Rangers to define, among other things, tasks and requirements. Associated medical standards and means for military-specific occupational health services and support must be determined in accordance with these tasks.

Despite these efforts, progress remains slow in identifying and implementing a Service Delivery model for CAF health care that is responsive to the needs of Canadian Rangers.

This recommendation remains partially implemented, and further monitoring will continue.

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 steps taken towards implementing this recommendation. The Canadian Army (CA) is developing a Canadian Ranger (CR) Handbook which will include information on entitlements and benefits. Publication is planned for this fiscal year (2025/26), with distribution to begin during Canadian Rangers training activities thereafter.

To support better access to information on reporting illnesses or injuries, several forms and documents have been translated into North Baffin and South Baffin Inuktitut, including: 

• CF98 – North Baffin – Inuktitut  
• CF98 – South Baffin – Inuktitut  
• Process Map – North Baffin – Inuktitut  
• Process Map – South Baffin – Inuktitut  
• DND 2398 – North Baffin – Inuktitut  
• DND 2398 – South Baffin – Inuktitut  
• Reserve Force Compensation Aide Memoire – North Baffin – Inuktitut  
• Reserve Force Compensation Aide Memoire – South Baffin – Inuktitut  

However, these documents are only available on the Defence Network which limits access for many Canadian Rangers. 

To address this, this fiscal year (2025/2026) the CA is working on a pilot project with D365, which is a cloud-based collaborative platform available outside the Defence Network. The intent is to roll-out to entire Canadian Ranger Corps in 2027. The CA is also exploring the use of an application that would support communication and reporting. This would include a downloadable version of the CR Handbook for offline use with automatic updates, and potentially allowing offline injury reporting and automatic upload when reconnected.

This recommendation remains partially implemented, and we will continue to monitor its progress.