8 March 2024 - Montreal - Veterans Affairs Canada
Canadian Veterans have courageously served our country. Connecting Veterans, stakeholders and community partners to hear directly from each other and share ideas, experiences and perspectives is integral to tailoring supports and services that reflect the needs of Veterans and their families.
Today, on International Women's Day, Minister Petitpas Taylor announced the creation of a new Women Veterans Council, where current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will collaborate with Veterans Affairs Canada to address inequities and barriers experienced by women Veterans. The announcement follows a week of engagement at the National Stakeholder Summit and comes as the Women Veterans Forum concludes in Montreal.
At the Forum, Veterans and stakeholders discussed issues impacting Veterans, including women-focused research, service after service, women's health, homelessness and recognition. Minister Petitpas Taylor highlighted research currently underway, including pelvic floor health, intimate partner violence among Veterans, and an examination of barriers to service for LGBT Purge survivors. To provide an additional forum for feedback in the area of women Veterans' health, a new, dedicated inbox will allow Veterans Affairs Canada and stakeholders to share information.
At the first National Stakeholder Summit in five years, more than 200 stakeholders took part, including international partners, to learn about current initiatives share their experiences, ideas and views. The Summit concluded earlier in the week, with discussions led by Ministerial advisory groups and stakeholders on topics ranging from the commemoration of modern Veterans, supports for military spouses and families, homelessness, transition to life after service, mental health and Veteran employment.
At the Summit, Minister Petitpas Taylor shared an overview of the future National Veteran Employment Strategy, which will be launched this year. The Strategy aims to ensure all Veterans find meaningful work upon release from the CAF or RCMP.
Minister Petitpas Taylor announced that a National Stakeholder Summit will be held biennially to provide a consistent touch point between community groups, local organizations and Veterans Affairs Canada to continue reflect on and improve the services and support available to Veterans.
