Mr. Speaker, the Royal Canadian Air Force, RCAF, fighter force is continuously recruiting, training and releasing pilots through normal attrition. Nevertheless, Canada faces recruiting and retaining challenges in relation to fighter pilots common to all its allies.
As of June 16, the RCAF had a staffing rate of 66% for pilots at frontline fighter squadrons. Detailed information regarding pilot numbers is considered sensitive as it can provide adversaries with information about CF-18 readiness and the broader capabilities of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which could be injurious to the defence of Canada and North America.
As the RCAF prepares to transition from the CF-18 to the CF-35A, work is ongoing to meet appropriate fighter pilot staffing levels. For example, the RCAF has expanded the employment of reserve fighter pilots and has directed qualified fighter pilots in headquarters staff positions to maintain their CF-18 flying qualifications.
The RCAF continues to analyze and adjust its pilot training courses to increase numbers of trained pilots and to reduce attrition. The RCAF has significantly reduced the time pilots need to wait to proceed to the next phases of course training in the past several years. In fiscal year 2024-25, wait times for phases I and II of pilot training decreased and are now two and three months respectively, which is the time it takes to effectively move personnel from one training location to another.
To increase the pool of pilot candidates, the RCAF has developed targeted recruitment and retention strategies. For example, the RCAF attractions team participated in more than 115 in-person events and over 230 virtual events in 2024 including air shows, exhibitions, career fairs and sport events. This complements wider Canadian Armed Forces recruitment efforts that showcase existing recruiting allowances, pay incentives and subsidized education programs.
Additionally, National Defence recently finished implementing a revised pilot pay scale to support retention efforts. The pay scale compensates pilots based on their experience and qualifications through the introduction of a new skills and competencies-oriented pay system.
Finally, the RCAF continues to engage with our allies to share information on how to mitigate this common challenge.