18 March 2025
13:00 – 16:00 ET
Virtual – Microsoft Teams
Care and Support Advisory Group members
- Mary Boutette, The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre
- Second Lieutenant (Retired) Walter Callaghan, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
- Major (Retired) Bruce Henwood, National Council of Veteran Associations
- Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Retired) Debbie Eisan, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
- Sergeant (Retired) Andrea Newton (Care and Support Advisory Group co-chair)
- Alexa Pasha, Royal Canadian Legion
- Marie-Andrée Malette, Canadian Caregivers Brigade
Policy Advisory Group members
- Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Dave Armitt, Métis National Veterans Council
- Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Lori Buchart
- Major (Retired) Mark Campbell
- Lieutenant (Retired) Carolyn Hughes, Royal Canadian Legion
- Captain (Retired) Dennis LeBlanc (Policy Advisory Group co-chair)
- Sailor 1st class (Retired) Scott White
Regrets
- Captain (Retired) Rod Holowaty
- Sergeant (Retired) Catherine Bergeron
- Commodore Dan Bouchard, Canadian Armed Forces
- Major (Retired) Jorma Hamalainen
- Sergeant (Retired) Kim Hendricken, RCMP Veterans Association
- Master Corporal (Retired) Keith McAllister, Veterans UN-NATO Canada
- Brigadier General (Retired) Joe Sharpe
- Lieutenant Navy (Retired) Sylvain Bouliane, VeteransCanada.ca
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
- Jonathan Wiseman, Policy and Operations Advisor (Ontario)
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
- Kirstin Sweet, Project Officer, Community Engagement Division
- Noah Ellis, Project Operations Assistant, Community Engagement Division
- Emily Prashad, Team Lead, Communications Division
- Ghada Makhlouf, Acting National Program Manager, Health Professionals Division
- Duane Baldwin, Military Sexual Trauma Peer Support Project Lead, Health Professionals Division
- Kara Hughes, A/MST Peer Support Project Officer, Health Professionals Division
Department of National Defence Official
- Vicky Theriault, Senior Practice Lead, Peer Support Program, Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), Department of National Defence
Observer
- Bronwyn Rodd, Office of the Veterans Ombud
Welcome
The VAC co-chair welcomed the group to the meeting. Members were reminded that they are welcome to participate in the official language of their choice. A new member of the Care and Support Advisory Group, Dave Armitt, was then introduced.
Opening remarks
The VAC co-chair spoke about the recent appointment of the Honourable Élisabeth Brière as Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency. The Minister brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Department, has many engagements scheduled already and is eager to meet with Veterans across the country.
The Policy Advisory Group co-chair provided the group with solemn words of remembrance to mark the passing of former member, Dr. Tim Goddard, recognizing his distinguished career and many contributions to the Veteran community. The group held a moment of silence in his honour.
The Care and Support Advisory Group co-chair and the Policy Advisory group co-chair welcomed the members, reviewed what was discussed in the previous meeting and advised members on meeting etiquette for participation. They reviewed and approved the workplan for future meetings, outlined the objectives toward meeting their area of focus, and asked the members to seek out input from their respective networks on areas of immediate concern to Veterans and their families.
Land acknowledgement
Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Dave Armitt, Métis National Veterans Council, provided a land acknowledgement for the meeting. He recognized that the meeting was taking place on the unceded land of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Turtle Island. He called for the continued focus on reconciliation.
Debrief on Honouring Her Service: 2025 Women’s Forum
The VAC co-chair invited members who had attended the 2025 Women’s Forum to share their experience and any reflections that they took away. The group discussed the networking opportunities that the forum presented, as well as the ability to share their ideas towards policy proposals. Further, they provided suggestions as to how to enhance the conversation at future events.
Treatment benefits
The group reviewed how existing VAC treatment benefits receive their legal program authority from two different legislative mechanisms. They considered what legislative, regulatory, and policy changes would be necessary to implement different types of policy recommendations. Some members suggested that it would be prudent to focus on expanding applicant eligibility or increase the benefit scope of existing benefits, as they would not require changes in legislation. However, the group remained open to examining all policy options.
OSISS presentation
Veterans Affairs Canada’s Acting National Program Manager, Health Professionals Division, gave a presentation on the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) program.
SMSRC presentation
Representatives from the Department of National Defense and Veterans Affairs Canada gave a presentation on the CAF Sexual Misconduct and Support Resource Centers (SMSRC).
Closing remarks and next steps
The VAC co-chair summarized the group’s discussion during the meeting and reviewed the proposed agenda for the next advisory group meeting. An update on the anticipated meeting presentations was shared and members were encouraged to send in their questions for the presenters in advance. Finally, the VAC co-chair thanked members for their contributions and adjourned the meeting.