Defence Minister Scales Back Military Recruitment Optimism, Says Challenge Persists

Minister of National Defence Bill Blair prepares to appear before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 24, 2023. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press

Defence Minister Bill Blair has rolled back previous comments that the Canadian military had finally stopped losing more soldiers than it recruits.

“Unfortunately, I want to report to this committee, because it’s important that we be candid, that [recruitment and retention] continues to persist as a challenge for us,” Mr. Blair told the House of Commons defence committee on Nov. 23.