A Systemic Review of Compensation Options for Ill and Injured Reservists

February 2016

The role of the Reserve Force has evolved dramatically over the last several years, with Reservists becoming even more of a critical component of the Canadian Armed Forces. In all facets of their training and employment, Reserve and Regular Force members are exposed to the risk of an injury that may jeopardize future health and employment.

Progress report on the status of recommendations

June 2024

•  2 Recommendations Made
•  2 Recommendations Accepted
•   2 Recommendation Partially Implemented

Progress report definitions

Recommendation 1

It is recommended that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces improve the governance and administration of the Reserve Force Compensation process by:

1.1 Creating a functional authority who is accountable for the Reserve Force Compensation process, and who can reinforce the applicable policies and directives in place

1.2 Amending Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instructions 20/04 to provide clarity and consistency in the cessation of service due to service-related injuries and illnesses

1.3 Streamlining the Reserve Force Compensation process by:

1.3.1 Standardizing and simplifying forms; and

1.3.2 Ensuring that units forward claims directly to the Director Casualty Support Management for adjudication, within 30 days of the time the application was commenced

1.4 Creating a Defence Administrative Order and Directive to codify the Reserve Force Compensation process, including service standards or a performance measurement strategy to validate the effectiveness of the entire process

Recommendation 1 status:  Accepted  Partially implemented

Since our last progress report in 2022, the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group (CAF TG) has taken steps towards improving the governance and administration of the Reserve Force Compensation (RFC) process. The Director of Casualty Support Management (DCSM) has been established as the functional authority accountable for the RFC process. Some additional steps are required to enable DCSM to effectively do the work they are responsible for. They have engaged with key players on modernizing the RFC application that will enable the DCSM to communicate or reinforce applicable policies and directives at the unit level. In March 2022, the DCSM updated form DND 2346 – Application for Extension of Class “C” Reserve Service for personnel whose injury or illness was sustained on Special Duty Service. The DCSM also developed the RFC Aide-Memoire. The RFC Aide-Memoire contains the most frequently asked questions regarding RFC policies, and it includes a step-by-step guide to filling out the RFC application. The Aide-Memoire has been briefed to Canadian Armed Forces leadership and administrators involved in the RFC process through existing training platforms. 

However, the Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instructions 20/04 – Administrative Policy of Class “A”, Class “B” and Class “C” Reserve Service has not been updated. The Director Military Careers Policy and Grievance (DMCPG) has adopted a four-phase approach to review and update these instructions. While the first phase has been endorsed and its publication targeted for the summer of 2024, planning for the next phase has only commenced. DCSM is also in the process of digitizing the RFC process that will allow them to track progress on RFC applications and reinforce standards to ensure that the RFC process is efficient and effective. While digitizing efforts are taking place, the RFC process will also undergo a review. A Canadian Forces General Message (CANFORGEN) announcing those updates is planned for the summer of 2024. 

In the interim, Reserve Force members and their leadership can access further information on the RFC process and frequently asked questions on the Reserve Force compensation page, and in the RFC Aide-Memoire, which is only available on the Defence Information Network.

Recommendation 2

It is recommended that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces take concrete steps to improve the knowledge and awareness of the compensation options available to ill and injured Reservists by:

2.1 Making any relevant documents, policies, procedures and forms easily accessible on the internet and on the Defence Information Network

2.2 Committing the resources required for the development and implementation of a communications plan. This would include activities, products, timelines and metrics to reach and inform Reservists about available compensation options

2.3 Formalizing training on Reserve Force Compensation and the Government Employees Compensation Act, and defining the roles and responsibilities for all Reservists and their leadership within these processes

Recommendation 2 status:  Accepted  Partially implemented

The Canadian Armed Forces have made some progress toward improving the accessibility of information about the compensation options available to ill and injured Reservists. While all the updated forms are accessible on the internal Defence Information Network, only one form is available on the internet (DND 2398, RFC during a Period of Injury, Disease or Illness). The Director of Casualty Support Management (DCSM) has also developed a Reserve Force Compensation (RFC) Aide-Memoire. This contains frequently asked questions regarding RFC policies and a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the RFC application. Instead of developing specific RFC training, the DCSM is briefing the RFC Aide-Memoire widely across the Canadian Armed Forces using existing training platforms, which can be an effective approach. However, the information contained in the Aide-Memoire regarding the Government Employees Compensation Act is limited. Additionally, the Aide-Memoire can only be accessed on the Defence Information Network and is not available on the internet.

The Canadian Armed Forces still have work to do to ensure that information is available and easily accessible by all Reserve Force members. However, they are taking the right steps towards implementing this recommendation through their Pension and Benefits for Reservists page and the Canadian Armed Forces app (by selecting Resources/Reservists). To help bridge that information gap until the CAF is able to make this information accessible to all Reservists, our office published educational products. Reserve Force members who require further information about the Government Employees Compensation Act as it relates to the RFC process can access it on the Ombudsman’s Compensation for Ill and Injured Reservists page and through the Military Benefits Browser.