‘Critical equipment shortages’: Why the CAF is asking some staff to return field gear

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The Canadian Armed Forces is asking some of its members in the National Capital Region to return their field gear due to “critical equipment shortages.”

An email obtained by CTV News, and first reported by the Globe and Mail, asks an unknown number of Canadian Armed Forces members to return rucksacks, patrol packs and tactical vests.

The May 13 email, sent with the subject line “Return of equipment and clothing items,” says the request is being made to address critical equipment shortages. It says the equipment is being collected for three days in May and three days in June.

“All personnel not posted to a deployable unit are required to return the full set of equipment on the specified dates. Your cooperation is essential to the success of this effort,” the email reads.

The email was sent on behalf of Colonel J.R. Toope, Commander of Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau) and Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Ottawa-Gatineau. A spokesperson for the department of national defence says it was sent to approximately 10,000 people.

Officials told CTV News on background that similar calls for field gear have gone out before. The force, an official said, believes unused equipment, especially in very large or very small sizes, can be put to better use. No one is being deployed without proper gear, they also said.

In a statement, the Department of National Defence said the request will help replenish stock levels. The department says the request is only being made of personnel in non-deployable units who do not require the equipment for their day-to-day duties.

“The equipment will get re-issued as required for deployed operations,” said spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown in a statement. “This, in conjunction with several other initiatives, will also help address potential shortfalls of items, particularly of highly demanded sizes and will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to prioritize equipping personnel in deployable units.”

The request comes as Canada aims to reach five per cent of GDP on defence spending by 2035.