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Record of Discussion - 13 May 2021

13 May 2021
13:00 – 15:30 (EDT)
Virtual via MS Teams

Participant List

Policy Advisory Group Members (7)

  • Major (Retired) Mark Campbell
  • Rear Admiral Luc Cassivi, Canadian Armed Forces
  • Brian Forbes, National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada (Co-chair)
  • Master Warrant Officer (Retired) William MacDonald
  • Ray McInnis, Royal Canadian Legion
  • Brigadier General (Retired) Joe Sharpe
  • Commodore (Retired) Andrea Siew (Co-chair)

Regrets (1)

  • Keith McAllister, Veterans UN-NATO Canada

Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs (2)

  • Sarah Cozzi, Director of Policy
  • Benjamin Sparkes, Policy Advisor, Stakeholders and Events

Veterans Affairs Canada Presenters and Officials (9)

  • Rick Christopher, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Commemoration (VAC Co-chair)
  • Crystal Garrett-Baird, Director General, Policy and Research, Strategic Policy and Commemoration
  • Amy Meunier, Director General, Centralized Operation Division, Service Delivery
  • Mitch Freeman, Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management, Service Delivery
  • Faith McIntyre, Director General, Communications, Strategic Oversight and Communication
  • Sylvie Thibodeau-Sealy, Director, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach
  • Jeff Gallant, Manager, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach
  • Stacey Ferguson, Manager, Issues Coordination, Strategic Policy and Commemoration
  • Julie McGuire, Senior Analyst, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach
  • Jean Davis, Analyst, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach

Observer - Regrets

  • Sharon Squire, Deputy Ombudsman, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

Opening Remarks

The co-chairs opened the meeting with introductory remarks which welcomed the members.

The VAC co-chair provided an overview on the Government of Canada one‑time payment to persons eligible for certain disability support programs, including Veterans in receipt of disability supports from VAC, and the one-time call for applications for the Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund.

Update on Renewal of Advisory Groups

Director General, Communications thanked the group for their continued dedication, passion and work on behalf of Veterans and their families, and spoke to Advisory Group renewal, highlights included:

  • Renewing group membership will allow VAC to learn from new perspectives and consider diverse opinions.
  • The intent is that each group would have approximately 12 members representing a broad cross section of Veterans, Veterans organizations, non-profit, public and private sector associations as well as underrepresented groups and observer status members.
  • For current members, the Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach team will confirm intent to remain and those who are interested in remaining will be asked to provide their resume.
  • New members will be appointed by the Minister through an open and transparent application process where a Notice of Opportunity will be posted to fill positions. Candidates interested in applying will be asked to complete an application form and include a cover letter and resume.
  • The plan is to launch the application process and to post the notice mid‑May for four weeks. Applications will be assessed and appointments made, with intent for Advisory Groups to resume meeting in the Fall.
  • A pause on the Advisory Group formal engagement would occur once the renewal process is launched until the refresh which would occur likely in early Fall.
  • Members are encouraged to continue to communicate with the Department and the Minister’s office as needed at any point in time.

Discussion

Advisory Group members expressed the importance of representation from the Minister’s office during the Advisory Group meetings. This was supported by representatives from the Minister’s office.

A member co-chair questioned how the renewal application process will be communicated. The Director General, Communications indicated that the Department will advertise through various channels and, as well, will rely on members of the Advisory Groups to spread the message through their outreach.

Budget 2021

The Director General, Policy and Research, Strategic Policy and Commemoration provided an update on the initiatives of Budget 2021:

  • Supporting our Veterans:
    • A program that would cover the mental health care costs of Veterans with PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders while their disability benefit application is being processed.
    • The expansion and enhancement of the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund for projects that will support Veterans during the post COVID-19 recovery.
    • Funding for Veterans Affairs Canada to extend disability adjudication resources.
  • Addressing Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Violence in the Military: An expansion of the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada’s work to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the military and to support survivors.
  • Ending Homelessness: Funding provided to Employment and Social Development Canada for Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy as well as to pilot a program aimed at reducing Veteran homelessness.
  • Additionally: Strengthening Long-term Care and Supportive Care, investing in the Wellness Together Portal, increasing Old Age Security for seniors, greater equality for LGBTQ2 communities, and funding for a National Institute for Women's Health Research.

Discussion

The funding for mental health care costs program is a positive step with immediate access to treatment benefits prior to the completed adjudication process. The detailed design is not yet complete; however, there is no desire to increase the administrative burden either on the applicant or on the Department. The goal is to provide treatment or access to treatment as soon as possible while continuing to speed up the overarching disability benefit process.

A member highlighted the importance of collaboration and consultation with Veteran’s organizations and Advisory Group members regarding budget items that still require program design.

Members spoke to the challenge made in 2019 by the ACVA Chair to eradicate Veteran homelessness by 2025. It is understood that homelessness is a government priority, highlighted in the Speech from the Throne and in the Minister’s mandate letter. Broad collaboration to support the eradication of Veteran homelessness is ongoing.

Policy Advisory Group Recommendations:

  • Veterans Survivor Fund
    • An update was provided regarding the Department’s work with Statistics Canada and UBC to better understand the impacted population. The UBC data study is being used to inform the options.
    • The members expressed the need to eliminate the marriage after 60 clause as well as concern over income challenges and health and dental benefits for survivors.
  • SISIP
    • The members addressed the SISIP Long Term Disability Program and the VAC Vocational Rehabilitation Program recommendation.
    • The VAC co-chair indicated that the Department will reengage in that discussion. The CAF representative member will discuss this further with the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
  • Caregiver Recognition Benefit
    • Members raised that the Caregiver Recognition Benefit should be improved to include the same provisions of the Attendance Allowance from the Pension Act.
    • The VAC co-chair referenced the Evaluation Report of the Caregiver Recognition Benefit and highlighted opportunities for improvement.
  • Veterans Independence Program
    • Members raised that access to the Veterans Independence Program should be streamlined for surviving spouses and that the needs of the surviving spouse should determine the benefit required and not their income.

Discussion

The Advisory Group members expressed the importance of seeing movement on the recommendations. The Department and the representatives from the Minister’s Office acknowledged this and assured the members that their advice, knowledge and feedback are appreciated and valued.

The member co-chairs noted the importance to the Advisory Group’s ongoing work that the Department provide detailed information as a response to the recommendations. Due to time constraints, not all recommendations were reviewed. The VAC co-chair noted that follow up would occur as part of ongoing discussions.

Closing Remarks

The Minister’s Office expressed their appreciation for the work of the Advisory Group, and emphasized their shared commitment to providing the best possible services and support to Canadian Veterans. The co-chairs indicated that the conversation is appreciated and that Advisory Groups are important to Veterans and families. Departmental staff were thanked for their continued support.

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