Government changing tune on 20-per-cent pay hike for Canadian Forces personnel
The Liberal government appears to be backsliding on its promise to provide an immediate 20-per-cent raise to Canadian military personnel, instead now unsure of when that pay hike will come and how much it will actually be.
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Defence Minister David McGuinty told journalists June 10 that improvements were coming in military benefits, housing and health care. 'That's where a lot of the initial investment will be, of course, including a 20-per-cent pay increase,' he said.
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Several hours later, the defence minister stated in another interview that the pay hike would be immediate. 'It's about a 20-per-cent pay increase immediately for our members,' McGuinty said in an interview with Newstalk 1010 radio.
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But now McGuinty's office and the Department of National Defence can't provide a date for when the troops will see the raise on their paycheques or say whether it will actually be 20 per cent.
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'We look forward to sharing more details in the near future,' noted an email from McGuinty's office sent to the Ottawa Citizen by press secretary Laurent de Casanove.
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The same statement about the pay increase also suggested that the hike might not come to a 20-per-cent across-the-board pay raise, but that figure represented instead an overall funding increase that also included retention bonuses and other initiatives directed only to specific military personnel.
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'This investment represents an almost 20-per-cent increase to the overall CAF compensation envelope and the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are actively working on how best to implement this investment — looking at options that include a combination of approaches such as retention bonuses for stress trades, increased starting salaries for junior members and a broad-based salary increase,' the email noted.
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McGuinty's office did not respond to a request for clarification on whether the announced 20-per-cent pay increase was instead a boost to the overall compensation budget that also included retention bonuses and other benefits.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $9-billion spending increase June 9 that will hike Canada's defence and security budget to an all-time high of $62.7 billion annually by next year. The prime minister noted the salary increases, which he pointed out were well-deserved and would contribute to retaining personnel in the ranks as well as to attracting new recruits.
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The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see SOURCE KPMG LLP
Cision Canada
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As well, while they are optimistic about AI overall, parents have concerns about risks like misinformation, cheating and misuse, including creating deepfakes. "Our research shows enthusiasm and momentum, but also clear gaps in preparedness," says Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua. "By investing in educators and making AI-skill building accessible across Canada, we can ensure youth are equipped not just to use AI, but to lead and shape it for themselves and Canada's innovation future." While 71 per cent of youth believe they can use AI effectively, only 38 per cent of educators agree, a perception gap further highlighting the urgent need for skill development on both sides. Nearly half of educators also worry that AI could negatively impact skills like creativity, writing and critical thinking – concerns that reinforce the need for thoughtful, supported integration of AI into learning. The good news? Both educators and youth are eager to learn. The survey revealed that 78 per cent of educators acknowledge that there is room to improve their skills to use and teach AI and would likely participate in accessible, AI-focused professional development. This strong demand signals a clear opportunity to support educators in their AI skill-building. In response to these findings, Actua has launched its national AI Ready Project, a comprehensive initiative designed to empower Canadian youth, educators and parents throughout Canada with the technical skills and ethical understanding needed to navigate the age of AI. Through hands-on workshops, professional development for teachers and resources for parents, Actua aims to build an AI-ready generation. Parents, caregivers and educators can visit for resources and more information. Additional resources are in development, informed by insights from this national study. 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Nearly 4 in 5 teachers would likely participate in AI-focused professional development if available. Educators (85 per cent) and parents (76 per cent) share concerns about inaccurate information from AI. Concerns also exist among educators (84 per cent) and parents (74 per cent) regarding cheating/plagiarism with AI. Youth express considerably less worry about these AI risks compared to educators and parents. A large majority of youth (84 per cent) agree they have more to learn about AI. While 58 per cent of educators have talked to students about AI, only 41 per cent have taught them how to use AI tools. 65 per cent of students report learning how to use AI through social media or online content. Only 27 per cent of youth have attended out-of-school AI learning programs (like camps or clubs). About Actua Actua is creating a Canada where every child has the skills and confidence they need to achieve their full potential. As a leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach organization, Actua includes over 40 universities and colleges, engaging 500,000 youth in 600 communities each year. For 25 years, Actua has focused on identifying and removing the barriers for entry into STEM and now have national programs dedicated to engaging Indigenous youth, girls and young women, Black youth, those facing economic barriers and youth in Northern and remote communities. Actua's work is made possible thanks to the support of its major funding partners, including the Government of Canada, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Bank Group, Toyota Canada Foundation, Enbridge, CIBC Foundation, Scotiabank, Cenovus, Imperial and Microsoft Canada Inc.
