Is There a Future for Canadian Young People to serve in the Armed Forces

By Pepper Parr

February 23, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

Based on a comment from a former Canadian diplomat, people are thinking seriously about putting for effort in recruiting young people into the armed forces.

Some see this as something that should be mandatory for people between the ages of 19 to 25.

Two years in the army would give young people some work experience, learn just what discipline means.

Some would choose to make the armed forces a career choice.

Every Israeli is required to serve in the Defence Forces of that country.

The diplomat said: “We should also establish a meaningful reserve force to bolster our military presence across the North and relieve the active armed forces of their current responsibility for civil emergencies.

These were the ships that fought the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest naval battle in history. Shown here is HMCS Haida, currently tied up in Hamilton.

“Using educational and training inducements to recruit would double the value of this investment in national security, making it also an investment in human capital.”

Having to serve in the armed forces would come as a jolt to the first cohort; in time, young people would see the benefit.

I would not have been able to sail to the Mediterranean or to the United Kingdom, or to visit Scotland and Ireland. Training missions to Italy and Belgium certainly broadened my horizons.  It helped me decide as well what I wanted to do and didn’t want to do.  An opportunity to attend an Officer Training program was something I took a pass on.  On of my postings was to serve on HMCS Haida which I can now visit given that she is tied up on Hamilton