Defence Minister David Pratt has ordered the Canadian Forces to investigate why 10 low-ranking soldiers were ordered to pay back thousands of dollars in meal advances.

"I want these soldiers to be dealt with fairly and equitably," said Pratt.

In a report released Monday, Canadian Forces ombudsman Andre Marin says 10 soldiers agreed to take part in a three-month air traffic control training course in Richmond, B.C., in early 2002.

Andre Marin

The military promised to pay $50 per day for meals and expenses, which the soldiers received as a cash advance. There was no microwave or refrigerator at the training facility.

A week into the course, that payment was dropped to $17.50 per day, but the soldiers were told their superiors were negotiating to have the figure returned to $50.

When the course ended, the soldiers were each ordered to pay the Department of Defence approximately $3,000. They were given six months to repay the debts.

David Pratt

According to Marin's report, one of the soldiers had to sell his house and two others had to get loans.

Top bureaucrats within the Defence Department treated the soldiers' complaints with disdain.

"The bottom line is that DND is not a benefits smorgasbord and if military members desire to be treated as civilians then there are options available," one official wrote.

In an e-mail, a human resources advisor wrote: "I...just bought a small, whole cooked chicken in Ottawa...for $5.50 that would last me two to three days."

Opposition MPs say the soldiers deserve the promised $50. Conservative defence critic Jay Hill says $17.50 isn't enough to pay for three meals at McDonald's.

"They're nickel and diming our soldiers, the very technicians that we're having trouble retaining in the Canadian Forces."

Pratt has ordered his department to review the case, saying he's not happy with how the soldiers were treated. He's asked his officials to review the issue quickly.

"What concerns me about this situation is the morale of the men and women of the Canadian Forces in terms of how they feel about National Defence as an employer," said Pratt.

Marin has recommended the students be compensated the amount of money they had to repay, and that the students who had to take out repayment loans receive compensation for any loan interest.

"It's cut and dried, it's a no brainer. Pay these people their money," said Marin.

The ombudsman estimates that National Defence has spent 10 times as much fighting the soldiers as it would have if it simply kept its promise.