Pay is not the only factor but, after reviewing data on release interviews, it is one of the biggest dissatisfiers for people. The CAF can’t move base and can’t change QoL to the level people would like (the missions still need to happen - workload can’t decrease significantly) therefore pay is probably the only big dissatisfiers the CAF can influence.
Sure, NCMs could fly aircraft. But in our context, it would not improve our situation. If we want to pursue the “technical” stream, there are means within our processes to make that happen (CAG-level decision wrt postings, removal from merit list), albeit informally. Many whom I considered extremely competent pilots left the CAF because of money, QOL and location. The vast majority said they would come back if the pay is along the lines of what I proposed.
Regardless of rank, what the CAF offers has to be more attractive than what the industry offers. People don’t join solely out of patriotism anymore.