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Record of Discussion – 21 July 2022

21 July 2022
13:30-15:00 (ET)

In attendance

Care and Support Advisory Group Members

  • Ken MacLaren
  • Major (Retired) Bruce Henwood, National Council of Veteran Associations
  • Major (Retired) Jorma Hamalainen
  • Major (Retired) Linda Lander, Canadian Military Intelligence Association
  • Major (Retired) Rod Holowaty
  • Marie Andrée Malette, Canadian Caregivers Brigade
  • Mary Boutette, The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre
  • Sergeant (Retired) Andrea Newton
  • Walter Callaghan

Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs

  • Erika Lashbrook Knutson, Press Secretary, Minister’s Office

Veterans Affairs Canada Officials

  • Mitch Freeman, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance (Co-chair)
  • Kim Andrews, Senior Director, Health Care Programs, Service Delivery and Program Management Division
  • Cynthia Dennis, Program Operations Assistant, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach, Communications Division

Regrets

  • Alexa Pasha, Royal Canadian Legion
  • Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Retired) Debbie Eisan, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
  • Lieutenant (Retired) Sylvain Bouliane, VeteransCanada.ca
  • Kristen Johnson, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman (Observer)

Opening Remarks

(Members of all six Ministerial Advisory Groups met in plenary and the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs brought greetings. Members were then transferred to the meeting of the Care and Support Advisory Group.)

  • The Acting Director General, Communications welcomed the participants to the virtual meeting and introduced the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs.
  • The Deputy Minister welcomed the members and acknowledged that the land from which he was speaking is unceded Mi’kmaq territory he also acknowledged the ancestral and unceded territory of all Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people and took a moment to recognize the importance of these lands that we all call home.
  • He spoke to the renewal of the advisory groups that was launched in 2021 and the great response with over 125 applications. He indicated that there was a greater focus on diversity and that today we kick off a new series of meetings with 33 new members and many members that are continuing.
  • The Deputy spoke to the goals of the six Ministerial Advisory Groups and highlighted the focus on Veterans and their families. He reinforced the members roles and responsibilities to provide advice, insight, and recommendations to the Minister of Veterans Affairs. He also indicated that the Minister is looking forward to gathering with the members in the fall.
  • He noted the importance of hearing from the members and the community in order to understand the issues and areas where we need to improve. He talked about how the advice from the advisory groups has influenced many significant Government of Canada initiatives, including improvements in service delivery, mental health supports, supports for families and survivors, and reduced complexity in accessing benefits.
  • He thanked everyone for their participation.
  • The VAC Co-chairs were introduced and the members were transferred to their individual advisory group meeting.

Care and Support Advisory Group Meeting

Welcome

The VAC Co-chair welcomed the members and thanked them for their time and effort to join the meeting virtually. They also thanked the previous member Co-chairs Bruce and Mary for their outstanding work and contribution to the group.

Roundtable Introductions

  • The VAC Co-chair opened the meeting and began the roundtable introductions.
  • Each member introduced themselves and provided brief background information.

Review of the Terms of Reference

  • The VAC Co-chair lead the review of the Terms of Reference and highlighted the following key elements:
    • Mandate
    • Role and expectations
    • Code of Conduct
    • Potential requirements for a confidentiality agreement.
    • Selection of a member Co-chair (timing and transition period)
  • The VAC Co-chair opened the floor for questions.
  • Members were curious whether in person meetings would be held and if so where? The VAC Co-chair noted the intent to have some meetings in person though all health advisories will need to be respected which may create a hybrid environment for the near term.
  • The VAC Co-chair asked each member to respond via email as to date constraints for a fall meeting as several members indicated that the fall is very busy, and timing will be key.
  • VAC Co-chair reminded members to consider taking the role of member Co-chair position. The intent would be to select member Co-chair(s) at the first meeting in the fall. Both Mary and Bruce commented on the role, the work, and the expectations to better inform the group’s decision.

Forward Agenda

  • The VAC Co-chair led an overview of potential forward agenda items that reflect departmental priority areas and noted that members are welcome to put forward any agenda items they would like to discuss.
  • This discussion led to several high-level thoughts:
    • Access to health care post COVID inclusive of primary care, mental health and home care
    • Service Officer Training
    • VAC Points of Service post COVID
    • Disengagement
    • Policy evolution
    • Rehabilitation (Medavie, PCVRS/Lifemark)
    • Employment
  • The membership requested that the past reports of the group be distributed to give context of the great work already done. Members also asked to be sent a copy of the Minister’s Mandate letter.
  • There was a discussion around Medavie Blue Cross and the future of health care benefit delivery.

Next Step and Closing Remarks

  • The VAC Co-chair provided next steps, including voting on a member Co-chair, and dates of meetings.
  • VAC Co-chair thanked members for their participation.
  • Members requested to be informed as soon as possible about next meeting dates.
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