Reservists Report Feeling Like Second-Class Soldiers in Canada

Reservists in the Canadian Forces have expressed concerns about being treated as second-class soldiers, lacking the same training and deployment opportunities as their regular force counterparts. This sentiment emerged from an analysis presented on October 24, 2025, during an academic conference focused on military reserves. The findings, part of a report being compiled for the Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis, highlight significant disparities within the organization.

The report outlines that while relationships between full-time regular forces and part-time reservists are generally positive, key issues persist. An unnamed senior naval officer indicated that “there is a mindset within the Regular Navy that reservists are second-class citizens.” Such perceptions hinder the ability of reservists to receive the same level of training as their full-time peers.

Reservists reported facing challenges in career advancement and access to essential training and deployment opportunities. A senior air force officer noted, “It’s very difficult to get career progressions and training, and deployments in particular that are necessary.” This suggests a systemic bias that prioritizes regular force personnel over reservists, impacting their professional growth.

Concerns about respect and roles during deployments were also highlighted. A junior non-commissioned officer from the Canadian Army stated that reservists were often sidelined to lesser roles, indicating a lack of recognition for their capabilities. “They were kind of forced or shunted to a lesser role,” this individual explained, reflecting broader issues of respect within the ranks.

The analysis aims to provide Canadian military leadership with insights into the necessary changes as they prepare for future challenges. Among the findings were significant concerns regarding reserve pay, benefits, and the difficulties faced by reservists in balancing military duties with family and civilian job commitments. A senior air force non-commissioned member remarked, “We have members who have gone on deployments, they want to deploy, they’re hungry to serve… but based on past experiences with pay and benefits issues, they’re not willing to go again.”

The Canadian military is currently looking to its reservists to form the backbone of an expanded force. In an initiative reported by the Ottawa Citizen in October 2025, the Canadian military aims to increase its number of part-time soldiers from 28,000 to 400,000 as part of a broader mobilization plan. This plan, signed by Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan and Defence Deputy Minister Stefanie Beck on May 30, 2025, seeks to raise the reserve force from 23,561 to 100,000 and expand supplementary and other reserves from 4,384 to 300,000.

Beck and Carignan noted that the Canadian government has called for greater resilience and autonomy in security matters, making the Defence Mobilization Plan essential for future operations. The military is also looking to engage public servants, who would receive training to handle firearms, operate vehicles, and fly drones, integrating them into the Supplementary Reserve.

According to a spokesperson from the Department of National Defence, participation in this expanded reserve force will remain voluntary. However, timelines for the implementation of the mobilization plan have not been disclosed, leaving many to speculate on the future of reserve forces in Canada.

As the Canadian Forces confront these challenges, the insights from the recent analysis may prove invaluable in fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all personnel, regardless of their service status.