Minister of Defence announces increase to Reserve Forces pay and personnel

This afternoon at the 4th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment in Laval, Quebec the Minister of National Defence Harjit S. Sajjan announced the changes to the Reserve Force of pay and personnel.  

 The restructuring of pay is part of an overall vision outlined in our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, which also includes increasing the Reserve Force by 1,500 members and further integrating reservists into operations. 

“Because of the sacrifices that our military personnel make every day, Canada remains among the safest and most secure countries in the world. Whether assisting in the recent spring flood relief efforts in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario, or deployed on a peacekeeping mission halfway around the world, the Reserve Forces are a vital part of the Canadian Armed Forces as a whole, and the new pay structure reflects that,” says Lieutenant-General Charles Lamarre, Command, Military Personnel Command.

The Reserve Force is crucial to the success of our Canadian Armed Forces. Reservists come from all walks of life and include students, civil servants, labourers, business people, academics, and former members of the Regular Force.

“This important initiative laid out in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged will ensure that our Reserve Force members are fairly compensated for their service. It is a clear demonstration of how our government and all Canadians value the dedication and sacrifice of all members of our Canadian Armed Forces,” says the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence.

 Reservists will receive more money in this new system in order to compensate them fairly for their service. 

Previously, Reserve Force pay was a simple 85 percent calculation of the total Regular Force pay. Regular Force pay is composed of two parts: base pay and Military Factor. 

The Military Factor is a percentage added to the base salaries of Canadian Armed Forces members that compensates them for additional requirements that don’t affect most public servants.

The change of calculation from 85 percent to a base pay plus Military Factor approach will result in an increase of 7.8 percent.

The new methodology for the Reserve Force applies the same base pay the Regular Force receives, plus the elements of the Military Factor that apply to reservists.

“The Reserve Force is an integral component of the Canadian Armed Forces and restructuring pay is just another way of integrating both components into a total force that can deliver on our defence mandate. As an organization, we are always learning, growing and reviewing our programs and policies to reflect the changes we think are best for CAF, our members and their families. It’s wonderful to see this change because I think it recognizes the operational and professional commitment of the Reserves to the defence of Canada,” says Major-General Rob Roy MacKenzie, Chief of Reserves and Employer Support.