Defence Minister Claims Military Recruitment Outpaces Attrition, Reversing the Trend
The Canadian military is experiencing a higher recruitment rate compared to the number of active soldiers leaving the ranks, according to Defence Minister Bill Blair. This marks a reversal of the previous trend of low recruiting numbers and high attrition rates. The impact of COVID-19 measures, such as voluntary departures and dismissals due to vaccination refusal, had previously contributed to the challenges faced by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), stated that the overall attrition rate is now at 7.1 percent, which is within historic norms. This is a decrease from the 9.1 or 9.2 percent observed during the COVID-19 period. The decision to remove mandatory vaccination as a hiring requirement has contributed to the increased number of recruits. Gen. Eyre also noted that there are currently decisions from the Military Grievances External Review Committee, which found the CAF vaccine mandate to violate charter rights, awaiting assessment by himself as the final authority and the Department of National Defence (DND) has not provided a timeline for when these decisions will be addressed.
When questioned about the troop numbers and low morale, Mr. Blair and Gen. Eyre acknowledged the challenges faced but emphasized that efforts are being made to address the issues. In October 2022, the CDS ordered a pause in non-essential activities to focus on force reconstitution, which is seen as a critical priority. Mr. Blair mentioned that 30,000 people have applied to the CAF this fiscal year, with 70 percent being Canadian citizens and the remaining 30 percent permanent residents. Notably, the requirement of citizenship to serve was dropped last year, with an expedited pathway to Canadian citizenship being created for soldiers. The minister highlighted that the processing of applications is being done as quickly as possible. Mr. Blair took over the role from Anita Anand following the July 26 cabinet shuffle.
Gen. Eyre raised concerns about the shortages in troop numbers and ammunition stocks. As of August 31, the total force, including regular and reserve troops, faced a shortage of nearly 16,000 soldiers. Additionally, there are currently 10,489 members in the training pipeline who are not ready for operations. The CDS expressed worry about Canada’s ammunition stock and production capability, particularly in light of the increasing demand for artillery shells. Discussions are underway to potentially invest in increasing production, but it is not a quick fix. The lack of urgency in ramping up production was questioned by Conservative MP Pat Kelly. The CDS also noted that NATO allies share the concerns regarding the underwhelming production of shells and the regeneration ability of Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Furthermore, the state of army vehicles, including main battle tanks, was highlighted as an area of concern with a low overall serviceability rate.
While grappling with these challenges, Gen. Eyre mentioned the directive to cut nearly $1 billion in spending, which would undoubtedly have an impact on the defence budget. However, Mr. Blair stressed his commitment to ensuring the adequate support of the CAF, with a focus on culture change and creating a safe and inclusive workplace as the first priority in his role at the department.
