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April 2023

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News

Budget 2023 reduces backlogs and supports service delivery

Faster decisions on support and programs are coming for Veterans and families. On March 28, the Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2023. It focuses on supporting a stronger middle class, an affordable economy, and a healthy future for Canadians.

For the Veteran community, this year’s budget proposes to provide $156.7 million over five years, starting in 2023–24 and $14.4 million annually after that, to VAC, the RCMP, and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board is reduce backlogs and support service delivery across several programs and services.

We continue to work to provide faster access to services for Veterans. While we have reduced backlogs by more than 70 percent since 2020, we know there is more work to do. We are continually looking for ways to improve the decision-making process. This includes ensuring all Veterans are treated equally and equitably.

If you’d like more, you can read the full budget online.

Programs and services

Myth busting: Rehabilitation Services contract

We wanted to take the time to address some misinformation that has been circulating about the new Rehabilitation Services contract.

Myth: Veterans were not consulted on the new Rehabilitation contract.

Fact: We held consultations with a number of Veterans, Case Managers and front-line staff on the design of the new Rehabilitation Services contract. We put out a call to Veterans to respond to questions around rehabilitation services, including questions on what their experience was; how they felt about our rehabilitation program; what Veterans need to make the transition process smooth. The results of those consultations helped us design the new contract to ensure it would meet the needs of Veterans.

Myth: All Veterans in the Rehabilitation program are complaining about the services they are now receiving under the new contract.

Fact: There are currently 4,141 Veterans receiving rehabilitation services under the new contract, there have been only five customer service complaints to date.

Myth: Veterans in the Rehabilitation program have had to change providers since the new contract was put in place.

Fact: All Veterans in the Rehabilitation program can continue to receive services from their existing provider of choice.

Myth: Giving the Rehabilitation Services program to a contractor has taken work away from Case Managers, the people Veterans trust most.

Fact: This program has been in place since 2006 and VAC has used contracted specialists to deliver rehabilitation services since that time. This contract removes administrative tasks from VAC employees. All decisions related to a Veteran’s rehabilitation plan remain with VAC Case managers.

 

The Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) Group Health Insurance is moving to Canada Life

Have you heard? As of 1 July 2023, the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) administrator will change from Sun Life to Canada Life.

If you are a plan member as a Veteran or survivor with coverage through VAC, you should have received an enrolment package from Canada Life containing forms for completion.

You must return your forms using the postage paid return envelope by 15 June 2023 to avoid coverage termination and claims payment interruptions. If you have not received a package, or if you have any questions, contact Canada Life by email or call 1-855-415-4414.

Keep your personal information up to date

To ensure a seamless transition, please keep your personal information up to date with both Sun Life and Canada Life until 30 June 2023.

To do this, visit Sun Life PSHCP Members Services and select updating your positive enrolment information, or call the Sun Life Call Centre at 1-888-757-7427.

Please note that the change will not impact the benefits available to members and their families, nor the Public Service Health Care Plan premiums.

For more information, visit Canada Life PSHCP or call 1 855-415-4414.

 

Building resilient relationships: tips from Lifespeak experts

This month, you can learn useful strategies to help strengthen your connections with others and with yourself. LifeSpeak experts will teach common challenges for couples, coworkers, and caregivers, as well as how to attain a healthy relationship with money.

Image taken from the video of Shannon Lee Simmons, financial expert and award winning Certified Financial Planner.
Shannon Lee Simmons, financial expert and award winning Certified Financial Planner

There are tips for managing money with your partner, and how to set up a budget that works for you. In caring for the young and elderly, experts will explore how our own self esteem affects our children and how to manage the demands of caregiving.

A couple of resources also offer advice on common challenges for partners, such as effective communications, and how to adapt to changing dynamics as we go through life stages. Their thoughts on having respectful disagreements in the workplace will help you maintain a healthy dynamic around you at work.

You can join the Ask the Expert session on 19 April 2023, at noon EST for the discussion: Personal finance: Making the most with your money. When you visit the link, you can create a notification or add the session to your calendar.

You can log in to LifeSpeak from any computer or mobile device (use Access ID: canada).

 

Changes at the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre is the new name for the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre. The new name reflects their confidential support services and the resources they can make available if you have been affected by sexual misconduct.

The centre also provides reimbursement for eligible legal expenses incurred as of 1 April 2019. They are also developing an Independent Legal Assistance Program, which will provide free legal advice and representation for current and former members of the Defence community affected by sexual misconduct. 

Working with Veterans Affairs Canada, the centre is building an online and face-to-face peer support program for current and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who experienced sexual misconduct during their service. Salute! will provide updates as these services become available.

If you experienced sexual misconduct during your military service, you can receive support from the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre. They also provide information on options, personalized referrals and ongoing support and assistance. Call 1-844-750-1648 anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Veteran story: Farid Yaghini

Veteran Farid Yaghini, in Ottawa in Camp Aftermath t-shirt.
Veteran Farid Yaghini, in Ottawa in Camp Aftermath t-shirt.

Purpose in the aftermath

Farid Yaghini uses what he learned as an intelligence tech to develop Camp Aftermath: a program that helps fellow Veterans find new purpose in life after service.

Some wear their hearts on their sleeve. Veteran Farid Yaghini wears his philosophy on his arm. Literally: on his right arm are tattoos of images representing his Persian heritage, his beliefs, and a maple leaf to represent Canada.

Read his story.

 

Do you have a story to share about experience in the Canadian Armed Forces? Tell us about it by email.

 

Commemoration

Looking back on Rwanda

A Canadian peacekeeper giving a bath to a Rwandan child, while other children wait in line. Photo source: VAC
A Canadian peacekeeper giving a bath to a Rwandan child, while other children wait in line.

30 years ago this month, members of the Canadian Armed Forces began contributing to international peace and security efforts in Rwanda. One year later in 1994, the Rwandan genocide erupted.

Canadian peacekeepers tried to restore order despite being caught in the midst of chaos, horror, and tragedy. Stability efforts transitioned to evacuation efforts, as transport planes were used to bring large amounts of people to safety. Although Canadians tried their best to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the crisis, over 800,000 Rwandans died in 100 days.

This month, we feature the stories of Kevin “Sammy” Sampson and Mike Desmeules. Both served in Rwanda during and after the civil war.

Learn more about Canada’s role in Rwanda on our CAF Operations remembrance page.

 

Observing #VimyWeek, 3 to 10 April 2023

A black and white photo of the Vimy Ridge battleground, 1917.
Photo source: Library and Archives Canada
Canadian troops advancing through German wire entanglements during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917.

The service and sacrifice of those who served during the four-day Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War provided the backbone for the Canadian Armed Forces of today.

In partnership with the Vimy Foundation, we highlighted this heroic conflict beginning on April 3. From highlighting the historic impact of the battle, to promoting the interactive tour of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, we’ve honoured the thousands of Canadians who courageously fought during this conflict.

Always, we remember them.

To learn more about the Battle of Vimy Ridge, visit our Significant commemorative events page.

 

Beloved painting of Juno Beach landing will return

Artist John MacCallum with his painting Canadians Landing at Juno Beach, D-Day in the DJM atrium, 1999.
Artist John MacCallum with his painting Canadians Landing at Juno Beach, D-Day in the DJM atrium, 1999.

Plans are solid to return the painting, Canadians Landing at Juno Beach, D-Day, to the Daniel J. MacDonald (DJM) building atrium for permanent display when the modernization project is complete.

Much loved for years, Canadians Landing at Juno Beach, D-Day has been displayed in the atrium since it was created on-site in 1999. Former Deputy Minister J.D. Nicholson asked local artist John B. MacCallum to create a mural that would commemorate the D-Day landings of June 1944, when more than 14,000 Canadian soldiers descended upon Juno Beach. 

MacCallum conducted extensive research before beginning to paint. His decision to paint on-site in the atrium led to first-hand accounts of the event. He recalls, “the great thing was some of the Veterans from World War II actually sat in chairs, watched me paint and advised on some of the equipment.” MacCallum worked in the atrium from January through April and the painting was unveiled on 28 May 1999.

In mid-March 2022, the painting was removed from the atrium wall in the Daniel J. MacDonald building and placed in storage in Charlottetown in preparation for a Public Services and Procurement Canada’s renovation project beginning in 2023.

“As a 68-year-old artist, it was wonderful to hear that one of my crown jewels is going to live on at VAC in public view,” MacCallum said.

This YouTube video by the VAC Commemoration team tells more about the history of the painting.

 

Commemoration calendar

April 1:
Royal Canadian Air Force established, 1924
April 7:
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwandan Genocide
April 9:
Battle of Vimy Ridge began, 1917
April 14:
Newfoundland Regiment fought at Monchy-le-Preux, France, 1917
April 21:
CAF launched Operation ASSISTANCE to help during the 1997 Red River Floods, 1997
April 22-25:
Canadians took part in their first major action of the First World War during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, 1915
April 24-25:
Canadians fought during the Battle of Kapyong, 1951
May 3:
John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields, 1915
May 5:
Liberation of the Netherlands, 1945
May 7:
Battle of the Atlantic Sunday
May 8:
Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, 1945
May 11-12:
Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence began, 1942
May 23:
150th anniversary of the creation of the Royal North-West Canadian Mounted Police, forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 1873
May 28:
Canada’s Unknown Soldier laid to rest in a tomb in front of the National War Memorial, 2000
May 29:
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
 

Do you know other Veterans, family members or others who would benefit from the information in this newsletter? Feel free to share it with them.

 

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