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• In October 2011, our Government responded to the ever-changing needs of Veterans by announcing that enhancements to the New Veterans Charter are now in effect – improving financial support for thousands of Canadian Veterans.  Over the next five years, an additional $189 million dollars has been set aside for Veterans most in need.  It is estimated that a minimum of 4,000 Veterans will qualify for this enhanced financial support.  The changes include:

  ·   A minimum pre-tax income of $40,000 a year for Veterans who are in rehabilitation or, if they are no longer able to be gainfully employed, until age 65;

  ·   Expanded eligibility for additional monthly allowances (worth up to $1,632 per month, payable for life) for seriously injured Veterans;

  ·   A new $1,000 monthly supplement to the Permanent Impairment Allowance (payable for life) to help our most seriously injured or ill Veterans who are unable to return to suitable, gainful employment; and

  ·   New payment options for Canadian Forces members and Veterans receiving a disability award. While these men and women still have the choice of a lump-sum payment, they are also now able to receive a disability award as either an annual payment (with interest) over any number of years they choose, or as a combination of a partial lump-sum payment and annual payments (with interest).

  If you are a Veteran or know someone who is, who may benefit from these enhancements, you can find out more at www.veterans.gc.ca.

• On March 17, 2011, the Government of Canada announced plans to construct a new facility in London to house the Integrated Personnel Support Centre (IPSC) and 2 Area Support Group Signal Squadron Detachment London. This facility at Area Support Unit (ASU) London will address the current lack of infrastructure needed to house the two units.

•  On September 28, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that it is spending $52.5 million over five years to establish a “legacy of care” centered around five new initiatives to care for injured soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen.  These new initiatives contribute in a tangible and lasting way to their recovery and rehabilitation, as well as to their eventual reintegration, along with their families, into military or civilian life. .( http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/back_ground/legacy-of-care)

•          On September 19, 2010, the Government of Canada announced significant improvements to enhance financial support for Veterans and their families. This $2 billion program is designed to meet the needs of a new generation of Veterans.  (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/viewrelease&id=959 )

•          Veterans who have experienced serious injuries impeding their return to service and who are not able to return to work will receive $1,000 more a month for the rest of their lives. This amount will be added onto 75 percent of their salary, as well as an allowance in the amount of $536 to $1,609. Within the next five years, 500 Veterans will be eligible for this monthly additional amount. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/back_ground/improving-support-veterans )

•          Access to the permanent monthly allowance for seriously injured Veterans will be expanded (in the amount of $536 to $1,609). More than 3,500 Veterans are expected to be eligible for this allowance within the next five years (including the 500 mentioned above, who will also receive an additional $ 1000 per month). (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/back_ground/improving-support-veterans )

•          The proposed changes will increase the minimum monthly income for those Veterans by changing the formula for the earnings loss benefit to ensure minimum income of approximately $40,000 per year. Approximately 2,320 Veterans will benefit from this change. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/back_ground/improving-support-veterans )

•          The government is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Veterans, who have always defended our shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.  That’s why, over the first five budgets, we have allotted a total of $2.5 billion more for Veterans benefits, programs and services.  That’s an average of approximately $500 million per year over the last five years (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/viewrelease&id=959)

•          We have re-stored the 1995 cuts to Allied Veterans and extended these vital federal benefits and services to Allied Vets from the Korean War and some family members.  The changes, which came into effect Jan. 1, 2010 – and are retroactive to Oct. 14, 2008 – will help about 3,600 Allied Vets and 1,000 family members.  The estimated cost is $120.3 million over five years. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/back_ground/allied-veterans-background )

•          Our new funding has also included $139.1 million (over five years) to extend the Veterans Independence Program to thousands of Veterans widows – those who need it the most and can least afford the program to remain independent in their own homes. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/content/services/vip/expansion/fact_sheet.pdf )

•          With this latest Veterans Independence Program (VIP) expansion, there are now more than 35,000 survivor Veterans Independence Program (VIP) clients under our watch (as of March 31, 2010).   http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=services/vip/expansion/application_kit

•          We successfully implemented the New Veterans Charter, which represents the most sweeping changes to the way we care for our Veterans in 60 years.  In addition to maintaining full financial supports for our modern-day Veterans, the New Veterans Charter breaks new ground by also focussing on the wellness of our veterans and their families.  More than 25,300 veterans and family members have received support under the New Veterans Charter since 2006. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=Forces/nvc/infoKits/generic )

•          The New Veterans Charter includes a full package of benefits and services that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each Veteran and his or her family. That includes rehabilitation, mental health and case management services; monthly income to replace lost wages while in rehabilitation; practical help to find a job; a permanent impairment allowance for those with serious injuries; a retirement benefit for those unable to work; health care benefits and financial counselling. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=Forces/nvc/infoKits/generic ) 

•          As part of this new approach, our government also compassionately approved $250,000 lump-sum death benefits to the survivors of four fallen Canadian soldiers who died between the passage of the New Veterans Charter (May 13, 2005) and the day prior to its coming into force (April 1, 2006). 

•          We've introduced a Veterans' Bill of Rights that is strengthening the Government's ability to respond quickly and fairly to the concerns of Canadian veterans. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=bor

•          We've created the position of a Veterans' Ombudsman, and appointed Col. Pat Stogran to the office. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=ombudsman He is playing an important role in raising awareness of the needs and concerns of veterans.  His first annual report was tabled in Parliament in fall 2009 for all Canadians to see.  His second annual report is expected to be tabled in fall 2010.

•          We’ve provided approximately $57.2 million of ex-gratia payments to fulfill our pledge to address the decades-old issue of Agent Orange tests at CFB Gagetown. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=services/pensions/orange )

•          Working jointly with the Department of National Defence (DND), we have opened Integrated Personnel Support Centres on 19 CF Bases and Wings as part of a national network dedicated to the care of ill and injured Canadian Forces personnel, former personnel, their families and the families of the deceased.  Among other things, these centres offer “one-stop” services for the Department of National Defence (DND) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to eliminate the so-called Transitional Gap for those leaving the military to return to civilian life. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=forces/nvc/ipsc)

•          The Veterans Affairs network of Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics now consists of 10 specialized clinics, (the Department of National Defence (DND) operates another five clinics.) of which 9 are out-patient clinics located in Fredericton, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, London, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.  The tenth is the ground-breaking Residential Treatment Clinic for Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) at Ste. Anne’s Hospital (in Montreal) that provides intensive care to those Veterans suffering from the most severe cases of Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs).  (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/youth/sub.cfm?source=mental-health/health-promotion/osic )

•          The newest clinics are located in Fredericton, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver.  In addition, the Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics located in Quebec City, Winnipeg and Calgary have recently undergone expansions. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=mental-health/support/osi-clinics-support)

•          We continue to maintain a strong partnership with the Department of National Defence (DND) through the joint VAC-DND Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) Program.  This national peer support network provides support to Veterans, still serving CF members and their families who are affected by Operational Stress Injuries, as well as support to bereaved family members who suffer a loss due to military service.  There are 28 peer support coordinators whose role is to assist former and still serving military members and 20 family peer support coordinators (8 of whom are VAC employees) who assist the family members of those who have an operational stress injury.  Many OSISS staff are co-located in VAC District Offices and/or VAC OSI Clinics. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/youth/sub.cfm?source=mental-health/health-promotion/ossis )

•          We have added a 24-hour, toll-free help line, the VAC Assistance Service, for Veterans and their families who need to access professional counselling services. (http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=forces/assiserve )

•          We have created an innovative new service in local communities (Clinical Care Managers), mental health professionals who provide guidance and support to Veterans with complex mental health who are encountering barriers to receiving care.

•          We’ve ended uncertainty about the future of the Juno Beach Centre in France by committing $5 million over 10 years toward maintaining the memorial and education centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=feature/junobeach

•          We’ve provided $450,000 over three years to support the Dominion Institute’s Memory Project, which brings our Veterans in to schools to speak to students and community groups.  More than 1 million students have had the chance to listen to our Veterans’ stories through the Memory Project. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/viewrelease&id=696

•          We’ve instituted a ceremonial presence and interpretive guides (along with other new security measures) to protect security and the integrity of the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/viewrelease&id=447

•          We’ve stepped in to assume ownership of the Canada Memorial in Green Park, London.  We approved spending up to $250,000 to restore it as a fitting tribute to our soldiers in the First and Second World Wars, and we are spending an additional $100,000 a year on its annual maintenance. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/viewrelease&id=499

•          We have brought remembrance to Canadians in new and innovative ways through partnerships with community and national organizations, and by using social media such as Facebook and YouTube. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=salute/winter2010/facebook and http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/press/viewrelease&id=860

•          A merit-based selection process at the Veterans Review and Appeal Board has ensured that Veterans, Canadian Forces Members, RCMP applicants and their families are served by the most qualified and capable Members.  Today, the Board has a manageable workload and remains committed to effective operations and fair decision-making.