Unvaccinated Canadian soldiers face being discharged on Monday, says Blacklock’s Reporter..That’s even though reports have shown the Canadian Armed Forces being chronically short of recruits..General Wayne Eyre, acting chief of defence staff, said 95% of the troops are vaccinated..Eyre in a November 5 directive said military who did not prove they were vaccinated or seek an exemption on religious or medical grounds faced “administrative measures” including discharge..“For those unwilling to be vaccinated, those administrative measures could culminate with release from the Canadian Armed Forces,” wrote Eyre..The military on Tuesday would not comment on Eyre’s directive or explain the medical justification for the order. Immunization rates are currently higher in the military than the general public..“Canadian Armed Forces are now being directed to be fully vaccinated unless they cannot be vaccinated,” wrote Eyre..The order takes effect November 15..Eyre disclosed “more than 95% of eligible Canadian Armed Forces members have received their first dose and 92% are fully vaccinated.” Immunization rates included reservists..Vaccination coverage among eligible Canadians is 84%, according to the Public Health Agency..The military had earlier acknowledged not all members would disclose their medical history..“It is expected a portion of the Canadian Armed Forces will be non-compliant under this directive,” it said..“Although this group is expected to represent a small percentage of the Canadian Armed Forces, there is a requirement to undertake measures to protect the remainder of the workforce.”.The military did not reply when asked if it was prepared to discharge up to 5% of members, some 2,600 soldiers, sailors and air crew, under the vaccine mandate..Ten years’ worth of federal audits has identified shortcomings in military recruitment..“It’s a challenge,” John Forster, then-deputy defence minister, testified at 2017 hearings of the Commons public accounts committee..“It has been a challenge and it continues to be a challenge.”.The military requires a minimum strength of 60,500 regular members fully trained, by official estimate..Auditors in 2002, 2006 and 2016 found actual strength dwindled from 58,000 to 56,300 members though cabinet kept increasing recruitment targets..“There is no point in us having a target of 68,000 and continuing to be 4,000 people short,” testified Forster..“There are some reasons for that. One is our capacity to recruit.”.The army, navy and air force are currently estimated to be short by 7,000 recruits.
