LARGER RESERVE UNITS SUPPORT A MORE CAPABLE ARMY
FUND
The government's most recent defence policy statement, Strong, Secure, Engaged, committed to a minor expansion of the Army Reserve through much-improved recruiting and retention policies.
While these policies came with funding commitments, a meaningful expansion of Canada's Army Reserve will depend upon commensurate increased funding.
TRAIN
Currently about 70% of Army Reserve soldiers are trained to basic levels and due to shortfalls in recruiting and high attrition of previous years, many units lack sufficient numbers of junior leaders in both the NCM and officer streams.
In order to meet the needs of the Army, these shortfalls must be addressed. Fully funded, predictable training opportunities are essential to both attract and retain soldiers.
EQUIP
Our Army Reserve currently lacks both the individual equipment for soldiers and major equipment including vehicles, communications, shelters, feeding and heating which enable units to deploy units to assist civil authorities.
A lack of equipment forces soldiers into repetitive individual skills training which hurts retention. It's time to provide Reserve units with the tools and equipment for real training.
EXPAND
The May 2016 Auditor General’s report on the Army Reserve showed that part-time citizen soldiers represent exceptional value for taxpayers and may be maintained at a fraction of the cost of full-time soldiers.
Local communities value the training opportunities Reserve units provide for youth and Reservists' ability to enhance local responsiveness to natural disasters or crises.