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.
A sweeping travel ban ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump will go into effect early Monday, barring entry to citizens from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on travelers from seven others. The move, set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET, has drawn strong reactions both at home and abroad.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Sunday that it is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine regarding a planned exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers, which was scheduled to begin Saturday.
The European Commission pushed back Saturday against German media reports alleging it signed secret contracts with environmental NGOs to promote EU climate policy, calling the claims “false” and reaffirming its transparency in funding practices.
Russia announced that its self-imposed moratorium on deploying intermediate- and shorter-range missiles is coming to an end, accusing the United States and its allies of failing to reciprocate Moscow’s restraint.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing regional developments, Qatar’s Amiri Diwan announced Saturday evening.
Israel’s defence minister has ordered the military to stop an aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza.
National Guard troops have been sent to Los Angeles after protests erupted over immigration arrests.
A sweeping travel ban ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump will go into effect early Monday, barring entry to citizens from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on travelers from seven others. The move, set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET, has drawn strong reactions both at home and abroad.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Sunday that it is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine regarding a planned exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers, which was scheduled to begin Saturday.
The European Commission pushed back Saturday against German media reports alleging it signed secret contracts with environmental NGOs to promote EU climate policy, calling the claims “false” and reaffirming its transparency in funding practices.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Israel’s defence minister has ordered the military to stop an aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza.
National Guard troops have been sent to Los Angeles after protests erupted over immigration arrests.
A sweeping travel ban ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump will go into effect early Monday, barring entry to citizens from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on travelers from seven others. The move, set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET, has drawn strong reactions both at home and abroad.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Sunday that it is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine regarding a planned exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers, which was scheduled to begin Saturday.
The European Commission pushed back Saturday against German media reports alleging it signed secret contracts with environmental NGOs to promote EU climate policy, calling the claims “false” and reaffirming its transparency in funding practices.
Israel’s defence minister has ordered the military to stop an aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza.
National Guard troops have been sent to Los Angeles after protests erupted over immigration arrests.
A sweeping travel ban ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump will go into effect early Monday, barring entry to citizens from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on travelers from seven others. The move, set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET, has drawn strong reactions both at home and abroad.
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated Sunday that it is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine regarding a planned exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers, which was scheduled to begin Saturday.
The European Commission pushed back Saturday against German media reports alleging it signed secret contracts with environmental NGOs to promote EU climate policy, calling the claims “false” and reaffirming its transparency in funding practices.
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