Mark Carney has announced that Canada’s soldiers are getting a raise.
Speaking in Trenton, Ont. today, the prime minister said privates will be getting a 20 per cent bump to starting pay.
That means Canada’s privates will now be paid $52,044 a year, rather than the current $43,368.
Lieutenant-colonels and below will receive a 13 per cent raise, meanwhile, and colonels eight per cent.
“The women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces make Canada strong, and today we are investing in that strength,” Carney said.
“With a pay raise for every single CAF member, we are strengthening our military, recognizing their sacrifice, and giving service members the resources, confidence, and certainty they need to serve.”
The federal government has long been criticized for underpaying soldiers, with some critics saying the lack of competitive salaries was one of the main reasons for failures to attract sufficient recruits.
Carney said that, alongside the pay bump, members will also receive a “new annual, pensionable compensation measure” based on their years of service.
Those serving for 21 or more years will get $6,000, while those in the lowest bracket, 5–10 years, will get $2,000.
The prime minister said that, over the next 12 months, there will be other “compensation initiatives” for soldiers, including support for moves and separation from families.
It comes just months after Carney pledged to increase defence spending to two per cent of GDP this year, up from the previous 1.37 per cent.
The Liberals have also pledged to up spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035, in accordance with new NATO targets.
The government said it will be investing $9.3 billion extra on defence this year, with $2 billion of that on increased pay.
To read more about today’s announcement, including what it means for reservists, head here.
