Recruitment and Retention Crisis

Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention Crisis by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East During this period of daily decay in global security, not strengthening our armed forces adequately has serious implications for our nation’s security, wellbeing and integrity. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are in the midst of a recruitment and retention crisis, one that threatens not just Canada’s own security, but its standing with allies like the United States. With approximately 12,000 unfilled positions, which represent 16% of its target strength of 71,500 regular members, the military is struggling to maintain basic operational capacity. This shortfall, compounded by outdated equipment, rising attrition, and a lack of political urgency, reveals deep structural flaws. The stakes are high, and the question is not just what should be done, but whether Canada’s political leaders are willing and able to do it. You may have noted that at this time Canada is spending a lot of defence-targeted money, in the order of billions of dollars, for military support in foreign countries instead of strengthening our own military. The importance of recruiting is paramount for a healthy military, but to assure success a sincere and committed political involvement is needed. Realistically, I do not see any serious actions from either the Liberal government or the Conservative opposition in support of the military. The question of who can fix the CAF’s recruitment and retention crisis is as important as the solutions themselves. Canada’s two major governing political parties, the Liberals and Conservatives, offer differing visions for defense policy, but neither has a flawless record of accomplishment. The Liberal Party, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has been criticized for its lack of urgency on defense. While the government introduced a defense policy update in 2023 that included $15 billion in new spending commitments, much of this funding remains unallocated or delayed. The Liberals have also struggled with procurement delays, such as the eternal saga of replacing Canada’s aging CF-18 fighter jets, which has dragged on for over a decade. Efforts to promote diversity within the military are commendable but the Liberals’ approach has been too slow to address the scale of the crisis. The Conservatives position themselves as the party of defense, emphasizing the importance of meeting NATO commitments and strengthening Canada’s military capabilities. Their "Canada First Defence Strategy" includes promises to increase defense spending and streamline procurement, aligning with the urgency of the CAF’s challenges. However, past Conservative governments have also struggled with procurement delays and personnel shortages, raising questions about whether they can deliver on their promises. The CAF’s recruitment and retention issues are a systemic problem, not a passing phase. Recruitment processes are outdated and cumbersome, with timelines that stretch over six to nine months, an eternity for applicants in today’s competitive job market. The quality of military recruiters also leaves a lot to be desired. The quality of recruiters is crucial in the recruiting process, a systemic problem senior military officials continues to ignore. These inefficiencies discourage potential recruits, many of whom turn to private-sector opportunities that offer quicker hiring processes, better pay, and clearer career paths. In 2023, the CAF recruited only 2,800 new members, far short of its annual target of 5,900. The recruitment crisis is compounded by a lack of serious outreach to underrepresented groups. Women, Indigenous communities, and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in the military, despite Canada’s diverse population. Efforts to improve diversity have been sporadic and insufficiently integrated into broader recruitment strategies. Retention poses an equally significant challenge. The CAF’s attrition rate climbed to nearly 8% in 2022, with over 5,000 personnel voluntarily leaving the military. Job dissatisfaction is a major factor, driven by limited career progression and long deployments. Many service members cite frustration with outdated equipment and inadequate infrastructure as contributing to their decision to leave. For instance, the CAF’s barracks and training facilities are widely seen as substandard, and the delays in procuring modern equipment, such as new fighting and engineering military vehicles, fighter jets and naval vessels, have eroded confidence in the military’s ability to meet operational demands. Morale is further undermined by a perception that successive federal governments have not prioritized defense. They have allocated resources only when forced to do so by external pressures or crises. This lack of consistent political support has left service members feeling undervalued, exacerbating retention problems and creating a cycle of dissatisfaction that the CAF has struggled to break. In addition, senior military personnel are more preoccupied with their own promotions than dedicating attention to this endemic problem, which is consuming the military. Beyond being an internal CAF issue, the recruitment and retention crisis has profound implications for Canada’s ability to respond to domestic and international security challenges. Domestically, the shortfall in personnel undermines the CAF’s capacity to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters or threats to Arctic sovereignty. The Arctic, in particular, is an area of growing concern I mentioned several times during my time in Ottawa, but my concerns fell on deaf ears. With the opening of new shipping routes in the Arctic and increasing competition for resources, Canada’s ability to assert its sovereignty in the region is critical. Neglecting the Artic leaves a gap that adversaries like Russia and China could well exploit. When I noted in the House ten years ago that Russia is a potential threat because it was refurbishing its arctic military bases at a phenomenal rate, I was assured that ‘Russia is not a threat at this time’. Internationally, the crisis weakens Canada’s contributions to NATO and its defense partnership with the United States. Canada has consistently failed to meet NATO’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defense, a shortfall that has not gone unnoticed by its allies. At present, Canada spends only 1.37% of GDP on defense, placing it near the bottom of NATO member states. This chronic underfunding has strained Canada’s relationships within the alliance as well as the United States, where incoming President Donald Trump has already indicated that he will take some painful actions against Canada unless we ‘ante up’. In fact, the U.S.-Canada defense relationship, exemplified by joint operations in the Arctic and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), is also at risk. With Russia increasing its Arctic presence and China seeking greater influence in the region, the United States needs a strong partner to help secure North American interests. Canada’s inability to maintain a fully operational military not only jeopardizes its own security but places additional strain on U.S. resources and planning. In conclusion, the CAF’s recruitment and retention crisis is a test of Canada’s political will and its ability to meet the demands of a changing security environment. The right solutions must be found quickly and implementing them requires sustained effort, adequate funding, and a commitment to making defense a national priority. Canada’s security and its reputation as a reliable ally depend on decisive action. This is not just about filling vacancies; it is about reaffirming Canada’s role as a credible partner in NATO and a trusted ally of the United States. The time for half-measures is over. Canada must act decisively to fix its military, or risk becoming a nation that cannot defend itself or its allies.