Permanent residents now have the opportunity to join the Canadian Armed Forces. The military has been struggling with low recruitment levels, but this new change may help to fill some of the vacant positions.
This new policy change will now allow permanent residents to join the CAF, provided that they meet the same eligibility criteria as Canadian citizens. The military hopes that this change in recruitment policy will help to address the significant shortage of regular force troops, particularly in light of Canada’s ongoing involvement in international conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While some have raised concerns about the potential impact of non-citizens serving in Canada’s military, others believe that this change is necessary to ensure our national security and ability to defend Canada.
Overall, it seems that Canada’s revised recruitment policy will help to address the current shortage of recruits within the CAF while also increasing Canada’s global influence through a more diverse military force.
Thousands of inquiries have been made since Canada dropped its citizenship requirement for permanent residents to join the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The enthusiasm around this news has been encouraging, according to Peter Antonew, deputy commander of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group.
What’s more, permanent residents joining the military are exempt from minimum residency stipulations and may leave Canada for distant postings or personal reasons. This is especially attractive because ordinarily, Canadian Permanent Residents must remain in Canada for a period of 730 days during five years to keep their status intact.
Conclusion
Canada’s revised recruitment policy is a welcomed change that will help to address the current shortage of recruits within the CAF while also increasing Canada’s global influence through a more diverse military force. Whether or not permanent residents should be able to serve in Canada’s armed forces remains a controversial topic, but for now, it seems that Canada has made its decision.
Contact Nirmans Law to discover your Canadian immigration options.
