I__. - International Military Testing Association

proportion of the population benefit from receiving some
military training and experience and be of use to the military
if mobilization is required. In addition, they contribute to
the "Defence Community" in Canada; that is, sub-groups of
Canadians with military knowledge and experience and an
understanding of the Defence mandate. The reserves have both
organizational and societal responsibilities, thus public
relations campaigns, should be designed to appeal to those who
view the reserves as a part-time job and to those who view it
as a professional calling.
Based on estimates from Statistics Canada, the general -.
population will continue to age due to birth rates below
replacement levels. It is expected, however, that the growth
rate in the countqy will be maintained through increased
immigration. These projections carry major implications for the
reserves. A decline in the youth population means that the
traditional recruiting base will shrink and that the reserves
may increasingly have to rely on women, older persons, the
employed, ex-regular force members and first generation
Canadians to fill its ranks. These are all subgroups of the
population currently under-represented in the reserves. By
extending its age restrictions, older members in certain trades
may be encouraged to stay.
B. NATIONAL ATTITUDE SURVEY
The National Attitude Survey was administered to 6000
Canadians between the ages of 15 and 50 to assess the level of
awareness of the reserves, attitudes toward the reserves, and
the propensity of various sub-groups of Canadians to join the
reserves. Eighty percent of those interviewed had heard of the
reserves, but few admit to having a great deal of awareness of
the reserves or their activities. In fact, just over 40% of
those interviewed said they were not at all, or not very aware
of the reserves, or their activities.
Many Canadians reported that word of mouth was their most
significant source of information on the reserves. Forty-five
percent of Canadians reported that friends, family members,
relatives or teachers were their main source for information
about the reserves. The media were reported as the most
significant sources for 42% of those interviewed; thus far more
important than was the case for reserve members.
Twenty percent of those interviewed, and 25% of those 15-
24 years of age, had considered joining the reserves within the
previous year. Addressing the future, about 5% of the sample
said that they were somewhat to very likely to considering
joining the reserves. This was the case for 10% of those aged
15-24. Interest in joining the reserves was highest among 15-24
year olds in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec. Those who
indicated a willingness to join the reserves, most frequently
responded with patriotic reasons. Monetary/work experience
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