Canada’s military struggles with housing, slow recruitment, and backlogs, threatening its 2029 growth goal.

Canada’s military is facing serious recruitment and housing challenges, according to a 2025 audit by Auditor General Karen Hogan. At three inspected bases, 25% of housing units need major repairs, with issues like unsafe water, failing sewage, and structural damage. Only 205 units were available in spring 2025 for 3,706 applicants, despite a goal to add 6,000 members by 2029. Recruitment is slow, with only one in 13 applicants completing the process, and 54% dropping out within two months. Permanent residents are recruited at just 2% compared to 10% for citizens. Security screening backlogs rose to nearly 23,000, and training capacity is limited by instructor shortages and equipment gaps. The military met its recruitment target last year, but the report warns the system cannot sustain future growth.