The Canadian military has launched an ambitious and unprecedented plan to dramatically expand the nation's reserve forces, aiming to prepare for potential national emergencies. However, the sweeping initiative, which seeks to grow the ranks by hundreds of thousands, is already facing intense scrutiny and criticism for being poorly defined and potentially unrealistic.
The Core of the Mobilization Plan
Set in motion on May 31, 2025, the mobilization scheme was developed by Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan and Deputy Minister Stefanie Beck. Its central goal is a massive personnel increase. The plan outlines boosting the current primary reserve force from 23,561 to 100,000 personnel. Even more staggering is the proposed expansion of the supplementary and other reserves, which would skyrocket from the current 4,384 to a total of 300,000 individuals.
According to Department of National Defence spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin, participation in this expanded force would be voluntary. She stated that initial planning is exploring how the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) could enhance national resilience, using an expanded Reserve Force for defence, crisis response, or natural disasters. A dedicated "Tiger Team" within the Canadian Forces began working on the initiative on June 4, 2025.
Mounting Questions and Criticism
Despite its stated goals, the initiative was met with immediate backlash from defence observers who labeled it as poorly thought out and wildly unrealistic. A significant point of contention is the origin of the target numbers. Neither Beck nor Carignan have publicly commented on how they arrived at the figures of 100,000 and 300,000, leading critics to suggest the plan was launched without sufficient data or detailed analysis.
The proposed training model is another major hurdle. The mobilization document suggests providing reservists with a one-week training course covering skills like handling firearms, driving trucks, and operating drones. Defence analysts have openly questioned whether such a brief training regime could adequately prepare individuals for these complex tasks. Furthermore, serious doubts exist about whether the Canadian Forces possesses the necessary facilities, equipment, and instructional capacity to manage such a colossal influx of trainees annually.
Unanswered Questions on Timelines and Cost
The plan is notably lacking in crucial details regarding implementation and funding. No concrete timelines were provided in the initial documents, and both DND and the Canadian Forces have declined to offer a schedule for rolling out the initiative. This lack of a roadmap raises questions about the plan's practical phases.
Perhaps the most glaring uncertainty surrounds cost. Neither the Canadian Forces nor DND can provide even a preliminary estimate for the mobilization project. In a recent interview, Gen. Carignan explained that various options are being formulated for government decision, stating, "We’re going to have an idea of cost as well so that we can actually bring this to bear in terms of implementation." This admission highlights that the financial implications, which would likely be substantial, remain entirely uncalculated.
While the goal of enhancing national preparedness is clear, the path to achieving a 400,000-strong reserve force is fraught with unanswered questions. The success of this mobilization plan will depend on the military's ability to address the significant concerns about planning, resources, training, and budget that have emerged since its announcement.
