Why Canada is seeing its biggest military recruitment surge in 30 years

"When people see that the world is not as safe, that their country might be at risk… we tend to see people join the military."

— Charlotte Duval-Lantoine , Academic

"The state of the Canadian Armed Forces is currently at a very low point, and it will take five or 10 years before you start to see a real upswing."

— Richard Shimooka , Academic

"The Canadian Armed Forces have reached the highest level of enlistment in over 30 years."

— David McGuinty , Politician

"If the current trend continues next year, this target will be reached in 2029."

— David McGuinty , Politician

"Over the last few decades, Canada has neither spent enough on defence nor invested enough in our defence industries and we have relied too heavily on our geography and other countries to protect us."

— Mark Carney , Politician

"For the first time, we can see a clear, accountable vision for the defence sector that comes with specific targets to grow Canada's sovereign industrial capabilities."

— Christyn Cianfarani , Executive

"This document is a salad bowl of buzzwords."

— Pierre Poilievre , Politician

"the base is aware of the surge in applications. The Captain says they’ll be ready to receive new recruits but when and how many will arrive is yet to be determined."

— Captain James Shrubb , Other

"Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families deserve safe, modern, and affordable housing."

— David J. McGuinty , Politician

"Phase 2 of this project is our largest construction campaign since the portfolio was established after the Second World War."

— Paola Zurro , Executive

"By investing in thousands of new homes for Canadian Armed Forces members across the country, we are strengthening communities, reducing pressure on local housing markets."

— Gregor Robertson , Politician