By Fabian Dawson
New Canadian Media

About 2,000 new immigrants have made inquiries about joining the ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) after it dropped its citizenship requirement to allow permanent residents to join the military.

“The response has been very encouraging,” Peter Antonew, deputy commander of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group told NCM, after federal National Defence Minister Anita Anand officially announced the policy switch on Dec. 5.

NCM reported on Nov 11 that Canada’s military would be opening its doors wider to attract new immigrants into its ranks after the CAF recruitment site was updated to reflect policy change. Until this week, only Canadian citizens were eligible to apply for employment within the country’s military. Permanent resident status — except in certain categories — did not qualify.

“We have been processing the new inquiries across the country with our 26 recruitment officers since last month,” said Antonew, adding the applicants will be subject to strict background and security checks.

“The process to obtain security clearances can be lengthy for some permanent residents, but we are working to improve the application process.”

Antonew said permanent residents with or without military experience can apply to join the CAF any time after they have landed in Canada.

Permanent residents who join the military will not be subject to the minimum residency requirements and will be allowed to leave the country for overseas postings or personal reasons. Currently, to keep your permanent resident status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years.

Antonew said many of the inquiries so far revolve around the paid education program which guarantees a job with the military in your field of study upon graduation. Each program requires two months of service for every month of paid education. Participants receive at least $27,600 while they complete their paid education programs.

“I expect this to be a big draw for new immigrant families as they build their new lives in Canada,” he said.

In a statement, General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff said: “We receive much interest from permanent residents looking to join the Canadian Armed Forces to serve their new country, and our recruiters are keen to begin conversations with these prospective members of our team.”

The CAF is now recruiting for more than 100 occupations, including radiologists and marine technicians.  As of July 2022, the regular force had approximately 63,500 members — about 8,000 short of its mandated strength.

The CAF has a target to bring in at least 5,900 new members through its recruiting centres by March 2023.

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

“We will continue to work hard every day to build a military that attracts and retains people from all parts of our society who want to serve Canada.”

Said Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship: “Many of these future citizens already work in key sectors across Canada, and I am pleased that they will now have the opportunity to make an extraordinary contribution to Canada by choosing a career in service of the country they now call home.”

Meanwhile, the (HMCS) Vancouver and Winnipeg have returned to their homeport of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, after successfully completing their deployments on Operation (Op) PROJECTION and Op NEON.

Since sailing to the Indo-Pacific region in early August, the Halifax-class frigates have carried out an ambitious schedule, which included port calls to eight countries, including HMCS Winnipeg’s port call to Cambodia – a first for a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship – thereby strengthening Canada’s relationships abroad. Port visits also took place in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

 HMCS Vancouver, along with a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CP-140 long-range patrol aircraft, also deployed on Op NEON, Canada’s contribution to multinational efforts to monitor sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations Security Council.

 The presence of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the Indo-Pacific region demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to enhancing military interoperability, cooperation, and relationships with our allies and partners, consistent with our objective to increase Canada’s contribution to stability and security in the region.

 On this deployment, the ships conducted 38 replenishments at sea with multiple partner nations, including the first-time replenishment at sea with a Japanese Izumo-class helicopter carrier. This Japanese carrier resupplied HMCS Winnipeg, and His Majesty’s New Zealand Ship Aotearoa resupplied HMCS Vancouver. Further, RCN ships participated in seven international exercises, including the signature binational exercise with Japan, KAEDEX (derived from “kaede,” meaning “maple” in Japanese). As well, for the first time, Canada had two frigates and a CP-140 aircraft participating in Exercise KEEN SWORD, which this year included approximately 36,000 military personnel.

Joining the Canadian Armed Forces

There are several ways to join the Canadian Armed Forces. Your skills, qualification, background, and ambition will influence your way of entry.

Regular Force (Full-Time)

Members of the Regular Force serve full time protecting Canada and defending our sovereignty. They contribute to international peace and security and work with the United States to defend North America. They are ready to respond at a moment’s notice to threats, natural disasters or humanitarian crises at home and around the world.

Reserves (Part-Time)

Members of the Reserve Force serve part-time in the CAF. Their main role is to support the Regular Force at home and abroad. Reservists typically serve one or more evenings a week and/or during weekends at locations close to home. Some Reservists may volunteer to be deployed on operations if there are positions available.

Paid Education

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has a number of paid education programs for a first-class education that will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in the Canadian Armed Forces. Graduates of our programs are leaders in their fields, working with cutting-edge technology, developing military strategies and making a difference in their communities.

Aboriginal Leadership Opportunities Year

A one-year educational program offered to Indigenous peoples through the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC)

Summer training programs

Summer Indigenous programs provide an opportunity to discover Military culture and training.

Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Entry Program

A special three-week program for Indigenous peoples who are considering a career in the CAF.