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June 15, 2017

On June 15^th, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced Government of Canada funding in support of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $17.5 million to support the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 Organizing Committee in bringing this major international adaptive sporting event to Canada.

May 18, 2017

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, participated in the RCL’s 50^th Provincial Command Convention that began with a wreath laying ceremony and parade on Sunday May 14th at the Boer War Monument at Victoria Park in London, Ontario. During the afternoon the Minister addressed the delegates as part of the opening ceremonies by highlighting the Government of Canada’s support for Veterans and their families through recent announcements from Budget 2017. The Minister recognized the RCL and its members for their remarkable work and wished them a productive convention.

April 26, 2017

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, met with Canadian Forces Members and their families at the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) in Moose Jaw to provide details on Budget 2017 initiatives to assist Canada’s Veterans and their families.

Budget 2017 builds on the foundation that was established in Budget 2016 and will recognize the important role of caregivers, help more families, support mental health and provide for the education and training Veterans need to find the work they want in their post-military lives.

Budget 2017 would expand access to all 32 MFRCs across Canada following the success of a pilot project that allowed access for medically released Veterans and their families to seven MFRCs. Previously, these services were only for still-serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

More information: Government of Canada details enhanced support for Veterans and their families

April 21, 2017

On April 21, 2017, Veterans, their families and local officials today joined Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, for the reopening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Windsor, Ontario.

The office is located at 1 Riverside Drive West, 6th floor (Suite 660), Windsor, Ontario. The Windsor office will employ approximately 15 staff who will serve close to 2,700 Veterans in the area. Staff at the office will answer questions about VAC services and benefits; arrange pension medical examinations; and assist Veterans with completing and submitting applications and receipts. Case-managed Veterans will also be able to meet with their case manager.

April 21, 2017

On Friday April 21^st, Veterans, their families and Carewest OSI Clinic employees joined the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, for the opening of the Carewest OSI Clinic expansion in Calgary, Alberta. In partnership with Alberta Health Services, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) funded the expansion at the Carewest Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic. The expansion allows for future growth to meet not only the needs of Veterans, but also those of serving Canadian Armed Forces members and current and former RCMP members. More information

April 18, 2017

On Tuesday April 18, at Georgian College, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced several new educational initiatives available to Veterans as part of Budget 2017. The announcement was followed by a visit at CFB Borden to meet with Canadian Armed Forces Members to talk about what Budget 2017 means for them.

Budget 2017 builds on the foundation that was established in Budget 2016 and will recognize the important role of caregivers, help more families, support mental health and provide for the education and training Veterans need to find the work they want in their post-military lives.

One of the most significant items introduced in this year’s budget – the new Education and Training benefit - provides up to $80,000 of financial support for the costs of college, university or technical education. Veterans will be able to make choices that best suit their family’s situation during their transition.

This benefit supports Veterans in achieving their education and future post-military employment goals and positions them to be more competitive in the workforce.

The Government also plans to redesign the Career Transition Services (CTS) program to ensure that Veterans, reservists, survivors, spouses and common law partners have the knowledge, skills and abilities required to search for employment in the civilian work force.

January 31, 2017

Veterans, their families and local officials joined Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister for Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, for the reopening of the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Following MP Rusnak, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, also delivered remarks.

The office is located on the first floor of 130 Syndicate Avenue South, Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Thunder Bay office will employ approximately seven staff, who will serve approximately 1,700 Veterans in the area.

The Thunder Bay office is the seventh of nine Veterans Affairs offices to be reopened across the country by May 2017.

More information: Veterans Affairs Canada office reopens in Thunder Bay

December 07, 2016

On December 7^th, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, met Invictus Games Toronto 2017 Team Canada co-captains Natacha Dupuis and Simon Mailloux in the House of Commons.

November 15, 2016

On November 15^th, on behalf of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence announced that Veterans will get the information and training they need to build meaningful new careers.

Canada Company is receiving $1.1 million from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program for its National Military Recruitment program. The announcement was made at Canada Company’s 2016 National Transition exCHANGE conference taking place at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

November 07, 2016

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, joined His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, and Mr. Stephen Quick, Director General, Canadian War Museum, this evening at the Canadian War Museum for the 17^th annual Candlelight Tribute honouring Canada’s Veterans.

The event featured a symbolic passing of the torch of remembrance, during which Veterans handed candles to youth. The moving tradition pays respect to the many brave men and women in uniform who have served Canada throughout the years to protect our shared values.

More information: News Release