Canada Plans Massive Volunteer Reserve to Boost National Defence
Canada is considering a major shift in its military strategy, one that could see hundreds of thousands of volunteers joining a new reserve force aimed at protecting the country from disasters and potential military threats. General Jennie Carignan, the Chief of the Defence Staff, has revealed that a plan is being developed to create a national mobilization framework, potentially recruiting up to 400,000 volunteers. This ambitious effort could take anywhere from five to ten years to fully implement, and it is inspired by Finland’s approach, where nearly 900,000 citizens are part of a robust reserve force.
Traditionally, the Canadian Armed Forces have focused on overseas deployments, but this new initiative represents a pivot toward domestic security. General Carignan emphasized that the goal is to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty and ensure that communities are resilient in the face of emergencies—from pandemics and floods to missile attacks. She explained that over the past year, the Canadian Forces have been called upon multiple times to respond to climate-related disasters like forest fires, highlighting the growing demands on the military to protect citizens at home.
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The proposed plan includes a significant expansion of both the primary and supplementary reserves. The primary reserve could grow from around 23,500 members to 100,000, while the supplementary reserve—currently just over 4,300—could increase to 300,000. This supplementary reserve would not only include former military personnel but would also open the door to skilled and unskilled volunteers from across the country, with entry requirements being less restrictive than traditional military standards. Recruits might include civil servants, tradespeople, or anyone willing to step up in times of need.
Training for this reserve force would be brief but practical. After initial instruction in essential skills—such as handling firearms, driving vehicles, operating heavy equipment, and flying drones—volunteers would participate in only a week of training per year to maintain readiness. Uniforms would not be issued, but medical coverage would be provided during active duty. The plan envisions tailoring mobilization according to the situation, ensuring the right skills are deployed for each emergency.
General Carignan also stressed that this initiative is not aimed at countering a U.S. threat but at preparing for a variety of risks, including missile strikes, drone attacks, and hybrid threats such as interference or sabotage. The emphasis is on ensuring that communities themselves are prepared, with networks and plans in place so that military support can be most effective when called upon.
While funding for this extensive mobilization plan has not yet been finalized, it is expected to come from the federal government’s increasing defence budget, which aims to reach NATO targets by 2035. General Carignan expressed confidence that Canadians would respond positively to the call to volunteer, especially those eager to contribute to national service but unsure how to get involved. The plan represents a bold step toward a more resilient Canada, one where citizens play an active role in safeguarding their country and communities.
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