November 14, 2018 – Ottawa – Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan today welcomed the appointment of Mr. L. Craig Dalton as the new Ombudsperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and thanked Mr. Guy Parent for his service to the Veteran community as Ombudsperson since 2010.

With over 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, Mr. Dalton served in a number of key positions, including: Commander of Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, while also serving as the Army Commander responsible for the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery; Chief of Staff Canadian Army and Doctrine Training Centre; and Chief Operating Officer/Commanding Officer Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Most recently Mr. Dalton has served as the Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services in the Government of Prince Edward Island, following similar positions in the Government of New Brunswick. He will serve as the new Veterans Ombudsperson effective November 11, 2018, for a term of 5 years.

The Veterans Ombudsperson is an impartial, arms-length and independent officer who is directly accountable to the Minister. They provide advice to Veterans Affairs Canada on the well-being of Veterans and their families. They have the mandate to review complaints arising from the Veterans Bill of Rights and issues related to programs and services administered by the Department and they facilitate access by clients to programs and services by providing them with information and referrals.

These appointments were made under the Government of Canada's new approach to Governor in Council appointments. This approach supports open, transparent and merit-based selection processes that strive for gender parity and reflect Canada's diversity, to support Ministers in making appointment recommendations for positions within their portfolio by providing them with information and referrals.