Canadian Air Force Facing ‘Personnel Crisis’ in Recruitment and Retention: Federal Report

A RCAF crew member prepares for takeoff aboard the CH-124 Sea King helicopter at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Saanich, B.C., on Nov. 27, 2018. The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito

The Royal Canadian Air Force is facing a “personnel crisis” after failing to recruit more staff and retain existing members, according to a federal report.

The report published by the Department of National Defence (DND) in March says the RCAF’s ability to meet current and future operational readiness “is compromised” due to manpower shortages.

“The RCAF is experiencing a personnel crisis linked to both recruitment and retention,” said the department in its “Report Summary: Evaluation of Ready Air and Space Forces,“ which was first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The evaluation covered the personnel and training aspects of the forces over a five-year period from 2017 to 2022. The DND analysts noted there are vacancies in a number of key jobs across the RCAF.

“Personnel shortages are exacerbated by decreased numbers in recruitment during the pandemic, the overburdening of existing RCAF members, an increase in domestic operations, the ‘missing (hollow) middle’ and an increase in RCAF capabilities that will require sufficient levels of ready and trained personnel,” analysts wrote.

“Why it matters? A shortage of RCAF personnel risks the ability to prepare for and to meet the air and space personnel readiness requirements both now and in the future.”

DND did not disclose any figures in the unclassified summary report.

An Inquiry of Ministry document tabled in the Commons on June 2 at the request of Conservative MP James Bezan, said the RCAF numbered 12,219 members.

All branches of the military had 63,477 regular members, said the document, as reviewed by Blacklock’s. Cabinet has targeted 68,000 fully trained members and put minimum strength requirements at 60,500.

Permanent Residents

Military recruitment in the Canadian Armed Forces dropped by 35 percent in 2022, according to a briefing note released by DND on March 7. A total of 5,242 volunteers signed up compared to 8,069 in 2021.

“The Canadian Armed Forces serves Canada by defending our values, interests and sovereignty at home and abroad. However, the Canadian Armed Forces is also experiencing a shortfall in personnel that has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and Canada-wide labour shortages,” said the note titled “Recruitment and Retention”

Testifying before the Commons defence committee on June 6, former defence minister Anita Anand said her department was already looking into the issues.

“We must ensure that we have the right number of people, the right equipment and the right support. That’s why we launched, and are in the process of launching, several initiatives to attract and retain more people in the Canadian Armed Forces, or CAF,” she said.

“That includes the CAF reconstitution plan, launched by the chief of the defence staff, and a workforce retention strategy that we'll be launching soon.”

In a statement last December, Ms. Anand announced that the Canadian military would expand the recruitment of non-citizens who are permanent residents and that the country would expedite granting them citizenship.

“Enrolment of permanent residents will help us grow our military with qualified, well-trained people who choose a career in uniform,” she said.