David Pugliese

April 28, 2022

-Ottawa Citizen

 

The majority of Canadians don’t see the military as an organization they would want to join, according to a new opinion poll delivered to the Department of National Defence.

The results reveal a public that has little knowledge of the Royal Canadian Air Force as well as little inclination to join any type of military service.

The poll results, delivered in March, indicate more bad news for a military that is already having trouble recruiting.

Fifty-eight per cent of those polled said they were not at all likely to join the RCAF, while 21 per cent indicated they were not very likely. For the Canadian Army, those numbers were similar: 57 per cent responded they were not at all likely to join and 22 per cent indicated they were not very likely to sign up. The Royal Canadian Navy was the least likely service to interest Canadians; 61 per cent said they were not at all likely to join, and 22 per cent said they were not very likely.

The poll was conducted in January and February using an online survey of 3,075 Canadians. The research was done to support planning for the RCAF’s 100th anniversary in 2024.

The poll also indicates Canadians have limited detailed knowledge of the RCAF. For instance, most of those surveyed had trouble identifying the RCAF logo. Although three-quarters of those polled had seen the logo, only 22 per cent correctly identified the organization it represented. Others believed it was the logo for other organizations such as the Winnipeg Jets, Air Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association, Petro-Canada and Maple Leaf Foods, poll results showed.

That conclusion was further reinforced by a new report written for Anand and released Monday.

“Although stories of sexual misconduct within the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces have led the media focus over recent months, sexual misconduct is a symptom of a bigger ailment: a toxic environment within both the military and civilian workplaces,” concluded the report from the Minister of National Defence’s Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination. “Unless it is rapidly reined in and addressed, the impact of this toxicity will linger for years, affecting the reputation of the Defence Team to the point of repulsing Canadians from joining its workforce. Recruitment data suggest that this is already happening.”

The advisory report noted that 71 per cent of the Canadian Forces are white males. Military leaders have acknowledged more effort is needed to entice other Canadians to join the ranks.

In addition, some defence insiders say a recent campaign by analysts and retired senior officers that falsely paints the Canadian Forces as on the verge of collapse hasn’t helped. They say claims being made are not only highly inaccurate, but could also harm recruiting as they portray the Canadian Forces as all but destitute and outfitted with ancient and infective equipment.

Eyre declined to comment on the false claims made by former senior officers or to provide an explanation on why a young person should consider the Canadian military as a career.

However, Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier released a statement noting that Canada needed its armed forces now more than ever. “There is no greater purpose than defending one’s country and fellow Canadians — the best reason to join,” Le Bouthillier said. “As members of the Canadian Armed Forces — be it at home or abroad — they will proudly represent Canada, wearing our nation’s flag on their sleeve as they make a real difference in the world.”

c. OTTAWA CITIZEN

 

“Although stories of sexual misconduct within the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces have led the media focus over recent months, sexual misconduct is a symptom of a bigger ailment: a toxic environment within both the military and civilian workplaces,” concluded the report from the Minister of National Defence’s Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination. “Unless it is rapidly reined in and addressed, the impact of this toxicity will linger for years, affecting the reputation of the Defence Team to the point of repulsing Canadians from joining its workforce. Recruitment data suggest that this is already happening.”

 

Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre has voiced concern over the military’s failure to recruit enough personnel. Defence Minister Anita Anand has warned that ongoing sexual misconduct scandals that have rocked the Canadian Forces in recent years have hurt both recruitment and morale in the military.