When a key employee leaves for an extended military deployment, the impact on day-to-day operations can be significant, especially for small and mid-sized organizations. The Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program is designed to ease that burden by helping Canadian employers manage the costs associated with supporting employees who serve in the Reserve Force. Delivered by the Government of Canada with administration through Employment and Social Development Canada, this program recognizes the important contribution reservists make both in uniform and in the civilian workforce.
Through this initiative, employers across Canada, as well as self-employed reservists, can receive non-repayable financial support to offset a portion of the operational and staffing costs incurred during a reservist’s deployment. Funding is calculated based on the length of the deployment and employment earnings benchmarks, meaning the total support varies from case to case rather than being a fixed amount. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are typically submitted once the reservist has returned from active duty, making the program responsive to real-world business disruptions.
Beyond financial relief, the program also aims to strengthen relationships between civilian employers and the Canadian Armed Forces by highlighting the skills, leadership, and experience reservists bring back to their workplaces. For organizations employing reservists—or reservists who are self-employed—reviewing the full program details can help determine how this support fits into your workforce planning.
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