Nice to see the classic arguments being pulled out whenever the reg-reserve mud-slinging game is played. In this case, it is the "reserve myth" -- that WWII was fought by a bunch of reservists.
You might call the troops that went to WWII reservists, but most weren‘t. They were new full-time soldiers recruited to transformed reserve units. You can keep the regimental names on the roll for the next time we mobilize if that is all you want to preserve.
If today‘s reserve force could be posted to full-time employment, as part of battle-strength units, in a foreign country for a lengthy period (say, two years or so without leave home), it would be a far different force than currently exists. And that is what WWI‘s "reserve force" was when it finally went into battle.
So let‘s talk about today‘s reserve force, not the mythical reserve of Canadian history (which some say serves to bolster our self-image as "peaceful farmers and merchants who can kick butt if we have to, although we really don‘t want to").
If what you want is a viable reserve force capable of providing competent individuals or sub-units to augment the peacetime- strength reg force when it is required to deploy at full strength, you need something more than this reliance on the reserve myth. We barely meet this standard today, and the likelihood of continuing to meet it seems to be falling.
If you want a reserve force that can deploy full-strength units to combat tasks, on reasonable notice (e.g., to replace a reg force unit after its initial deployment), then you need a visionary new approach to the reserves -- and the commitment of a lot more money than our government is ever likely to spend on defence.
In short, our reserve force now may be comprised of dedicated individuals, some of whom are notable in their abilities, but until it is given a serious re-org; the infusion of obscene amounts of cash; legislative support in the form of job protection; guaranteed training time, improved pay, pension and benefits; the introduction of mob spec trades; and training that recognizes the need for a front-end concentration course followed by skills-focused maintenance sessions and refresher courses, with annual exercises; then the reserves will remain a disorganized, ineffective force that falls far below its potential.
That is the reality of today‘s reserves; it is also the shame of today‘s government.