Question Period Note: Chaplain general briefing note (Canadian Armed Forces morale)

What specific steps is the Canadian Armed Forces taking to address low morale among its members, as outlined in the Chaplain General’s July briefing note?

• The well-being of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families is a top priority, and we are committed to improving the morale and welfare of our members.
• Equally, it is important that we are transparent on the issues that our members may be facing.
• That is why we provided a note prepared by the Chaplain General on morale to Parliamentarians, as requested.
• Further, we are taking steps to address the issues outlined in the note, including cost-of-living, affordable housing, and staff shortages.
• We have provided a cost-of-living adjustment to the rates of pay for military members.
• We have also implemented the Canadian Forces Housing Differential to provide support to members who may have a difficult time affording basic housing in high-cost locations.
• At the same time, we continue to advance meaningful culture change and deliver substantive changes across the institution.

Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD)

• The new policy took effect on July 1, 2023, and replaces the Post Living Differential (PLD).
• Whereas PLD was based on general cost of living (e.g., housing, groceries, transportation, childcare costs, etc.) in the geographical area compared to Ottawa/Gatineau, CFHD provides varying degrees of financial assistance toward housing at each place of duty.

• It is estimated that about 28,000 Canadian Armed Forces members will qualify for the new housing benefit.

  Provisional Post Living Differential (PPLD)

• In August 2023, National Defence announced the new and interim PPLD to ease the transition to CFHD.

• Members who received the PLD and will now receive less through the CFHD, will also receive the PPLD to ease potential financial hardship.

• The PPLD payments are monthly and will gradually decrease until the end of the PPLD policy in July 2026.

  Other Compensation and Benefits

• Environmental Allowances for austere working conditions;

• Maternity Top-Up (93% of income for up to 15 weeks);
• Paternity Parental Top-Up (93% of income for 35 weeks or 55.8% for up to 61 weeks);
• Family medical and dental insurance coverage (Public Service Programs); and,
• Canadian Armed Forces members are eligible to apply for military housing at 27 locations across Canada.
• In addition to being eligible for military housing, the CAF offers members several benefits for relocation anywhere in Canada, including reimbursing legal and real estate fees.
• New provisions for short-term leave for family reasons and for religious / cultural celebrations, and new compassionate leave for specific situations.
• Updated separation rates for six locations across Canada.
• Provision of telemedicine services via Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) in partnership with MAPLE.

Quick facts

Chaplain General’s Briefing Note on Morale

• On November 28, 2023, the Standing House Committee on National Defence (NDDN) passed a motion for the production of papers, requesting a copy of the Chaplain General’s briefing note to the Chief of the Defence Staff entitled “Update on CAF Member and Family Morale, January to July 2023.”
• The briefing note stated that during the reporting period, chaplains assessed the morale of members across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to be notably lower than during the last few reporting periods, due to several key factors: changes to the PLD, the increasing lack of affordable housing, the rising cost of living, and staff shortages.
• National Defence provided the briefing note in full to the Committee on December 5, 2023.