Marking time: A Decade of Stalled Progress for the Primary Reserve

Ombudsman’s Message| 10 February 2026

Today, I am proud to release “Marking Time: A Decade of Stalled Progress for the Primary Reserve.” This report focuses on the fair treatment of ill and injured Primary Reserve members and is the result of our investigation into outstanding recommendations from our 2016 reports: Compensation Options for Ill and Injured Reservists and Part-time Solider with Full-time Injuries Despite clear recommendations in these reports, progress has stalled. 

This review was launched to answer three critical questions:

• Are the recommendations still relevant today? 
• What have been the barriers to implementing these recommendations? and
• What new issues have emerged as the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) increasingly rely on Reservists for domestic operations, international deployments, training and reconstitution efforts?

We engaged with CAF Leadership to understand the barriers to implementation and, in June 2025, issued a letter to the Chief of the Defence Staff outlining additional concerns outside the scope of this report. This letter prompted important discussions and some early steps forward – proof that change is possible when issues are brought to light. I am happy to report that one of the four issues raised in this letter, the backlog interrupting Reserve Force medical and dental insurance coverage, has since been addressed

Our findings confirm that the inequities reported in 2016 remain unresolved and our recommendations valid. Systemic obstacles persist, and meaningful progress is long overdue. To break this cycle, we made five renewed recommendations. These recommendations, if fully implemented would:

• Strengthen governance for Reserve Force Compensation. 
• Modernize and digitalize the compensation application process. 
• Improve access to information about compensation options. 
• Allocate resources to update health care entitlement and eligibility policies. 
• Include health resources for Reservists in Non-Effective Strength letters.

This is a critical moment. As the Defence team works to grow its ranks and prepare for mobilization, building strong foundations to support ill and injured Reservists is not optional – it is essential. These members stand ready to serve, and we must stand ready to support them.

I invite you to read the full report and learn more about our recommendations here: Marking Time: A Decade of Stalled Progress for the Primary Reserve.

We should make time for all those who serve.

Mario Baril

Ombudsman