Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers

“The expansion of the Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Rangers is an investment in our future. It reflects in many ways how the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening our relationship with Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, providing opportunities for Aboriginal youth and helping to build stronger communities.”

Honourable Art Eggleton,
former Minister of National Defence

CAN RAN 2000

Funding for the future expansion of the Canadian Ranger and Junior Canadian Rangers was secured as a result of a comprehensive study, entitled CAN RAN 2000. This study affirmed the importance of the Canadian Rangers, who as members of the Reserve Force, provide a military presence in Canada’s remote and isolated regions in support of sovereignty, but their further value as community leaders and role models. It also confirmed the success of the affiliated Junior Canadian Ranger Programme, which provides structured activities to young people in remote and isolated communities.

What is CAN RAN 2000? CAN RAN 2000 is an all-encompassing report on the Canadian Rangers and Junior Canadian Ranger Programme. It examined the Rangers overall relevance and impact in respect to the operations of the Canadian Forces, as well as their role in support of Canadian government and national objectives.

What was the aim of CAN RAN 2000? To review the Canadian Rangers based both on its own merit and in terms of the requirements of the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme.

Who conducted the review? The Director General Reserves and Cadets (DGRC) conducted the review under the direction of the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS).

What were the major findings of CAN RAN 2000? The primary role of the Canadian Rangers will not be expanded to include any further activities. However, an increase in the number of Canadian Rangers Patrols will serve to increase the CF's military presence in Canada's remote and isolated regions at a relatively low cost. Other benefits of this expansion include the ability of the Canadian Rangers to assist in CF Domestic Operations such as disaster relief. At the same time, more Rangers will continue to contribute to the well being and health of the communities, in which they live and serve, and to the establishment of Junior Canadian Ranger patrols.

The Canadian Rangers remain an important operational resource for the Canadian Forces. They are a very cost-effective manner to protect sovereignty in the most remote regions of Canada.

What was the overall conclusion of the study? CAN RAN 2000 proposes an increase of the Ranger personnel ceiling from 4,000 to 4,800 Canadian Rangers and an expansion of the JCR Programme from 2,700 to 3,900 JCRs over a period of seven years.

When was the expansion of the Canadian Rangers and JCR announced? The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Art Eggleton, announced the expansion plans on July 22, 2000 in Kuujjuaq, Quebec.

How much will this expansion cost? To successfully achieve these targets, an additional $7 million will be spent to towards training, instructors, equipment and minimal increases to the staff of Canadian Rangers Patrol Groups. The funds will also support the expansion of the Junior Canadian Ranger Programme.

Who will pay for the expansion? Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget.

When will the expansion be completed? It is expected that all new members will be enrolled by the end of March 2008.