AFP/AAC Newsletter #31 - English

Issue #31 • November 2018 Armed Forces Pensioners’ / Annuitants’ Association of Canada the funds, provided by national charity True Patriot Love Founda- tion, will be used to enhance VETS Canada’s capacity to provide emer- gency aid for an increasing number of in-crisis and/or homeless female veterans across the country. As part of this initiative, VETS Canada will also work with ‘change-making’ women, including female veterans, to develop a best practice guide for supporting homeless/in-crisis female veterans. In addition to its work to se- cure stable, affordable housing for homeless veterans, VETS Canada connects former soldiers other forms of help they need, including financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada, addiction counsel- ling plus mental health or trauma services. For more information about VETS Canada please visit https:// vetscanada.org . To find a compre- hensive list of resources regarding veterans and homelessness, please visit http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/ services/health/homeless . From: National Defence NEWS RELEASE September 11, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces / Veterans Affairs Canada T oday, the Government of Canada is responding to a call for action by Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and the Veterans Ombudsman, through his report in 2012, with the introduc- tion of the Veteran’s Service Card. The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence announced that the new Veteran’s Service Cards will be distributed to former and releas- ing Canadian Armed Forces members who completed basic train- ing and have been hon- ourably released. The new Veteran’s Service Card will pro- vide a tangible symbol of recognition for former members, encourage an enduring affiliation with the Canadian Armed Forces and ensure link- ages to Veterans Affairs Canada support programs as mem- bers transition to post-service life. The new Veteran’s Service Card will be distributed in stages begin- ning in September, 2018. The first stage includes all newly releasing Canadian Armed Forces members. Interested Veterans who re- leased from the Canadian Armed Forces between February 2016 and September, 2018 can apply for the card during stage two beginning in December 2018. The third stage will begin Sum- mer 2019, and will see cards pro- duced and issued upon request, to all eligible Veterans released prior to February 2016. Quotes “Taking care of our women and men in uniform and their families is our number one priority. Through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we have committed to providing the best possible care and support to our military personnel as they transition to post-military life. Today we are delivering on that commitment by bringing back the Veteran's Service Card. We recognize the cour- age and dedication of our Canadian Armed Forces members, and the Veteran’s Service Card is an important acknowl- edgement of their service to our country." Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister “Time after time, at the 40 town halls, meetings, and roundtables I’ve had with Veterans and their families National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada introduce the new Veteran’s Service Card