Reserves 2050

LARGER RESERVE UNITS SUPPORT A MORE CAPABLE ARMY

FUND

The government's most recent defence policy statement, Strong, Secure, Engaged, committed to a minor expansion of the Army Reserve through much-improved recruiting and retention policies. While these policies came with funding commitments, a meaningful expansion of Canada's Army Reserve will depend upon commensurate increased funding.

TRAIN

Currently about 70% of Army Reserve soldiers are trained to basic levels and due to shortfalls in recruiting and high attrition of previous years, many units lack sufficient numbers of junior leaders in both the NCM and officer streams. In order to meet the needs of the Army, these shortfalls must be addressed. Fully funded, predictable training opportunities are essential to both attract and retain soldiers.

EQUIP

Our Army Reserve currently lacks both the individual equipment for soldiers and major equipment including vehicles, communications, shelters, feeding and heating which enable units to deploy units to assist civil authorities. A lack of equipment forces soldiers into repetitive individual skills training which hurts retention. It's time to provide Reserve units with the tools and equipment for real training.

EXPAND

The May 2016 Auditor General’s report on the Army Reserve showed that part-time citizen soldiers represent exceptional value for taxpayers and may be maintained at a fraction of the cost of full-time soldiers. Local communities value the training opportunities Reserve units provide for youth and Reservists' ability to enhance local responsiveness to natural disasters or crises.

BY THE NUMBERS: CANADA'S ARMY RESERVE

Currently funded positions

22,000

Army Reserve units from coast to coast

123

Federal constituencies are home to units or sub-units

128

Armouries, drill halls or shared facilities

157

OUR HISTORY AND MISSION

Who or what is Reserves 2000?

We are a broad-based, national, not-for-profit and non-partisan coalition of Canadians who believe Canada would benefit from an expanded Army Reserve and who are willing to work to influence defence policy to bring about that result.

Why was Reserves 2000 created?

Our roots may be traced back to the 1994-95 period, when defence planners of the day were actively working to shutter or amalgamate a wide swath of Canadian Army Reserve units in every corner of the country. While our struggle during the 1990s was, for the most part, successful, our hope of realizing a sustainable and expanded Army Reserve by the year 2000 (thus the genesis of our name) has not been fully realized. Our work continues today.

What is your objective?

The thoughtful and appropriately-funded expansion of our country's Army Reserve offers Canada a highly cost-effective increase in its defence capability and also benefits communities and individuals, particularly Canada's youth. A strong Army Reserve means a stronger and more capable Canadian Army.

What's next?

During the lead-up to Canada's 43rd federal general election in October 2019, Reserves 2000's and our supporters will work to raise awareness for our cause among incumbent Members of Parliament, candidates of all parties and residents in each of Canada's 338 federal electoral districts. Our Strong Army Reserve campaign will launch later this summer. Please check back for details on how you can assist us in advocating for the much-needed expansion of Canada's Army Reserve units.