Reservist Benefits

Financial Benefits - Pay

All members of the Canadian Forces Reserves are paid based on their rank, on a fixed daily rate of pay. This means that for a full day of work, define as six hours or more, you receive a full day’s pay. If you work less than six hours in a day, you receive half that amount.

As a non-commissioned recruit, you will start out at $66.98 per day plus 9% holiday pay; working full-time over the summer, you would earn approximately $2,100 per month, plus $11.50 per day to cover incidental expenses. For each year of service, your pay will be increased. It takes a minimum of two years to reach the rank of Corporal, which has a basic pay rate of $97.72 per day.

As a new officer recruit under the most common entry plan, you will receive $79.04 per day plus 9% holiday pay. Upon completion of basic and occupation training, you will be promoted to Lieutenant and will receive $103.78 per day. It takes three years to reach the rank of Captain, which has a basic pay rate of $129.70 per day.

During the period of September to June, a Reserve member of The Algonquin Regiment is normally working one half day a week (evenings) and one weekend a month. Additional employment may also be available during the holiday seasons (December-January) and during the student March break.

Full time employment is also available for selected members. This includes courses, employment as an instructor at different military
schools and employment with Regular Force units. Full time employment is paid based on the total number of calendar days of the employment. For example, attending a course from 1 to 31 July would be 31 full days of pay.

Educational Reimbursement

The Canadian Forces is currently offering members of the Primary Reserve partial reimbursement of tuition costs for selected postsecondary
studies.

For an officer, the university course of study must lead to an initial baccalaureate degree and be suitable for the member’s military occupation.

For a non-commissioned member, eligible courses include any university course of study leading to an initial baccalaureate degree and any post-secondary course that is formally recognized as an equivalency for the member’s military occupation.

After qualifying service in the Primary Reserve is performed, the member may claim reimbursement of 50% of eligible course costs to a maximum of $2,000 annually, and $8,000 in total.

Other Benefits

For information on pension gratuities, insurance, medical and dental benefits, sports and fitness and other allowances download our Benefits Info Sheet which is available as an Adobe .pdf.