Military pay raise a big boost for lower ranks, officials say
The federal government's pay increase for members of the Canadian military will provide some much-needed support for the lowest-ranking positions who are struggling in the face of rising costs of living, according to senior military officials.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $2 billion-per-year graduated series of salary top-ups and incentives on Friday.
"The biggest increases should make a difference for our lower-ranked members and those are the ones that, at this time, seem to be hardest hit by the economy," Royal Canadian Air Force Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet told reporters at an event in Halifax on Saturday.
The changes will see the lowest ranks of the regular force, like privates, ordinary sailors and aviators, receive a 20 per cent pay increase.
Speiser-Blanchet said some members of the military are struggling to make ends meet, just like many Canadians, and this investment will make their lives a lot easier.
The increases in pay and benefits will also help with recruitment and retention, said Canadian Royal Navy Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee.
A $10,000 bonus is available for recruits in high-demand trades to complete basic training, an additional $20,000 when their training is completed and another $20,000 once they have completed their first term of service.
Members and their families sacrifice a lot while serving their country so added incentives to sign up are welcome news, Topshee said.
"We ask people to move their families across the country, often multiple times." he said. "There is no overtime in the military. There is no weekend. If we need you to work, you work."
Pay raise 'long overdue': Defence minister
The last comprehensive overhaul of the military's pay and benefits system happened in 1998, according to senior defence officials.
"We're very proud to be able to provide the kind of pay package that our armed forces members deserve," David McGuinty, minister of national defence, said in Halifax on Saturday. "It's long overdue."
Many low-ranking military members have struggled due to the cost of living since the pandemic, according to VETS Canada, a Halifax-based charity that supports members.
Deb Lowther, the organization's CEO, said she was pleased with Friday's announcement as the organization sees more and more serving members "coming to us in crisis."
She said she would like Ottawa to turn its focus to providing more help for members leaving the military and trying to transition back into civilian life.
McGuinty told reporters on Saturday that the federal government has heard those concerns and will continue to look at ways to improve support for current and former members.
"I think we'll have more to say about this in due course," he said.
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