Leaked report shows high dropout rate among new Canadian military recruits

A leaked internal report shows the Canadian military is losing new recruits at more than twice the average rate, as frustration grows over training delays and the inability to get into desired roles.

The 2023–24 report, obtained by CBC News, found that 9.4% of newly enrolled members quit, compared to 4.3% across the entire Canadian Armed Forces. Many cited long waits—over 200 days in some cases—for specialized training, lack of equipment, and difficulty adjusting to military life.

"There are not enough trainers, facilities, or support," the report said. New members often face “months of underemployment,” which is driving morale down.

While the military says it's addressing recruitment challenges, retention is proving just as urgent. A Defence Department program designed to tackle the issue was quietly shut down this year, its funding and staff redirected.

Critics say that move undermines the military's stated priority of rebuilding its workforce. "Since 2022, we've been hearing that personnel issues are a priority," said Charlotte Duval-Lantoine of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. "But the military is not putting its money where its mouth is."

Military leaders admit the training bottleneck is a problem. Commander Lt.-Gen. Lise Bourgon said the forces are partnering with civilian colleges to help ease the load. Basic training improvements are also underway, according to Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan.

The leaked report also warned that experienced soldiers close to retirement aren’t being encouraged to stay. Many feel overworked and overlooked, and leave as soon as they're eligible for a pension.

One exception may be the Navy's one-year trial program, which lets recruits test the waters before fully committing. Early results suggest it's helped reduce early exits.

The Armed Forces are short about 14,000 members. Yet as plans for Arctic expansion and new global commitments grow, the gap between recruitment and readiness continues to widen.

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