Julia LennipsAbove image: Members of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) participate in a Reconnaisance Course at Garrison Petawawa, October 8, 2020. Photo by Pte Sarah Morley courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces.
Beginning March 31, 2021, eligible CAF members will receive a general pay increase, effective retroactively to April 1, 2018, and covering the past three fiscal years.
“We welcome this economic increase, which recognizes and appreciates the outstanding contributions made by our Canadian Armed Forces members and their families in service to their country. This pay increase is aligned to the salary improvements reached through the collective bargaining process for Public Service employees,” said Brigadier-General Virginia Tattersall, Director General Compensation & Benefits
Those who may be eligible for a lump sum back-payment include Regular and Reserve Force Non-Commissioned Members, General Service Officers and Pilots at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander and below, as well as Medical and Dental Officers.
The back payment covers retroactive increases starting April 1, 2018, calculated as follows:
-
-
-
- Effective April 1, 2018, an economic increase of 2.8 per cent
- Effective April 1, 2019, an economic increase of 2.2 per cent
- Effective April 1, 2020, an economic increase of 1.0 per cent
-
-
The compounded increase of 6.1 per cent demonstrates Canada’s continued support of CAF members, compensating them for their continued service.
The rates of pay will be updated for the majority of CAF members with an economic increase aligned to the salary improvements reached through collective negotiations for employees of the Core Public Administration of the Public Service of Canada.
CAF members can see their new pay rate or statement electronically via Employee Member Access Application (EMAA), as individual payments will depend on rank, pay increment (PI), and time worked in each category.
The raise reflects the Department of National Defence and the CAF recognizing the need to ensure that military compensation remains fair and relevant, plus to ensure the attraction and retention of the highest standard of personnel required for the challenges of service in the profession of arms.
As it received the Treasury Board’s approval, the increases recognize the value of military members, strengthens overall morale, supports Strong, Secure, and Engaged initiatives in attraction and retention, and strengthen the larger employment model of the CAF.
Senior officers at the rank of Colonel and Captain (Navy) and above pay rates are managed separately, so the current increase does not apply to them at this time. No decision at this time has been made regarding an increase in their pay.
CAF members who released after March 31, 2018, will be eligible for a lump sum back payment and adjustments to their CF Severance Pay based on the new rates effective at release on 31 March 2021. Former members who have not received the lump sum back payment by the end of April 2021 should contact the Release Benefits Administration via email at [email protected] to inquire about their own specific case.
An estimated 10,000 former CAF members received CF Severance Pay at the time of their release; these amounts will be recalculated, with adjustments sent to the former members’ bank accounts over the next few months.
