Recent data suggests that more Canadians are considering becoming soldiers.
A new report says the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) saw an increased number of applications received during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Citing an email from The Department of Defense (DND), Inside Ottawa Valley reports the growth is part of “trends already emerging in the previous four years,” adding the CAF Regular Force saw 12.9% more prospective applications in January 2026 compared to last year.
The report notes in 2024-25, 77,431 people clicked the “Apply Now” button on the CAF website, with 21,700 of them submitting the documents required to confirm their eligibility, including age, citizenship, and education level, up from 70,616 who clicked “Apply Now” and 12,269 confirmed eligibilities in 2023-24.
Captain James Shrubb of Garrison Petawawa told Inside Ottawa Valley, the base is aware of the surge in applications. The Captain says they’ll be ready to receive new recruits but when and how many will arrive is yet to be determined.
(written by Kasey Egan)
