Canadian Armed Forces Struggle to Meet Recruitment and Housing Needs

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is facing significant challenges in meeting its recruitment and housing needs, according to a recent audit by Auditor General Karen Horgan. The report reveals that, despite a substantial government push to recruit new members, the CAF is not attracting enough candidates to fulfill operational requirements.

Between 2022 and 2025, the military aimed to recruit over 19,700 new personnel. However, of nearly 192,000 applicants during this period, only about 15,000 successfully completed the recruitment process. The audit highlights that, on average, only one in thirteen applicants begins basic training, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the current recruitment strategy.

An alarming finding from the audit is the lengthy recruitment timeline. Although the CAF aimed to process candidates within 100 to 150 days, many applicants faced delays that doubled this timeframe. The report emphasizes that even if recruitment targets are met, the CAF lacks sufficient basic training capacity to accommodate the influx of new recruits.

While the military has attempted to address this shortfall by increasing the number of training cohorts and hiring temporary instructors, these solutions are deemed unsustainable. The CAF is particularly struggling to attract highly skilled personnel, such as pilots and ammunition technicians. The audit also pointed out the need for better tracking of candidates who drop out or do not complete the recruitment process.

In addition to recruitment challenges, the CAF is grappling with inadequate housing for its members. A separate report released as part of the auditor general’s findings reveals that the Department of National Defence (DND) is failing to provide adequate living accommodations. This deficiency is considered detrimental to the morale and well-being of military personnel and their families, particularly given the frequent relocations faced by service members.

The audit examined three CAF bases: a Royal Canadian Navy base in Esquimalt, B.C., a Canadian Army base in Gagetown, N.B., and a Royal Canadian Air Force base in Trenton, Ont.. It found that many quarters were in “poor physical condition” and did not meet basic living standards, leading to overcrowding and a lack of modern amenities. Significant repair needs were identified across 32 buildings, including issues such as inadequate potable water and malfunctioning sanitary systems.

Compounding these issues, the DND lacks reliable data regarding its housing units, including the number and location of available beds. Back in 2019, the DND estimated a requirement for an additional 5,200 to 7,200 residential housing units. However, current plans still leave a gap of at least 3,800 units. While the DND has initiated stable funding for housing projects, the implementation of these plans varies widely.

Currently, the situation is critical, as evidenced by the 205 available residential housing units against more than 3,700 applicants on waitlists. Horgan emphasized that the provision of adequate housing is crucial for the morale of military personnel.

In response to these findings, Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to increasing salaries and enhancing entry-level pay for armed forces members as part of a broader strategy to improve recruitment and retention. This initiative is part of a larger plan to allocate $9.3 billion in new military investments to align Canada’s defence spending with NATO targets.

While the CAF has made some changes to increase recruitment during the audit period, it remains clear that consistent efforts are needed to attract and retain personnel effectively. The government has acknowledged the findings of the audits and is expected to address these long-standing issues in discussions in the House of Commons.

This situation underscores the necessity for the CAF to enhance its recruitment and housing strategies to meet operational demands and support the well-being of its members. As the military continues to face these challenges, the impact on its ability to respond to threats and fulfill missions remains a critical concern.