AFP Newsletter - Spring 2022 ENGLISH

5 Issue #39 • Spring 2022 Armed Forces Pensioners’ / Annuitants’ Association of Canada Anand acknowledged that the time for action has finally come; that includes not only addressing racism in the ranks, but also responding to retired Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour’s forthcoming report on military sexual misconduct and a separate report last year on reforming the Armed Forces’ justice system. “As minister of national defence and a racialized woman, I am strongly committed to building insti- tutions where Canadians from all backgrounds are included, welcomed and empowered,” said Anand. To read the full report, please visit https://www. canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/ corporate/reports-publications/mnd- advisory-panel-systemic-racism-discrimination- final-report-jan-2022.html . Advisory panel... Continued from page 5 I nitially launched as a research study at the University of British Columbia (UBC), the Purpose After Ser- vice through Sport (PASS) program is proving help- ful to Veterans as they transition to civilian life. Fund- ed by a grant from the Veteran and Family Well-being fund of Veterans Affairs Canada, the study’s goal was to assess whether a socially-connected physical activ- ity program would be able to support the health and well-being of male military Veterans. Based on the success of the pilot program, PASS is now expanding on a trial basis to nine additional locations across the country. PASS involves weekly ball hockey scrimmages where men who have served or are currently serving in the military can connect socially, access resources to make the transition out of the military less stress- ful, gain the many benefits of physical activity and blow off some steam with a little friendly competi- tion. The study was launched in 2019 by UBC kine- siology professor Mark Beauchamp, who noted that men are often reluctant to reach out and seek help when faced with challenging issues. He had heard from Veterans that finding work, making friends, and accessing mental health and education resources are common challenges when they leave service. At the same time, he also learned that ball hockey is a popular game at military bases all over the world; this sparked the idea for PASS. Now that PASS is expanding nationally, more par- ticipants are needed. In addition to the pilot location of Esquimalt, B.C., program trials are being held in Edmonton, Alberta, Shilo, Manitoba, Borden, Ontar- io, Kingston, Ontario, Petawawa, Ontario, Valcartier, Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, and Gagetown, New Brunswick. It is not just open to Veterans – men cur- rently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, either as a regular force member or reservist, are also in- vited to sign up because the program may help them down the road when they leave service. 504 military Veterans and currently serving mem- bers of the Canadian Armed Forces will be random- ized equally into two groups. One group will receive the PASS program shortly after completing baseline measures; the other will form a wait-list control group and after six months will receive the program. Eligible participants interested in taking part in the trial are asked to email pass.trial@ubc.ca . While the PASS trial is for military Veterans who identify as men, there is also a similar program for Veterans who identify as women called Purpose After Service through Connectivity and Exercise (PACE). Expanding sports program helps military Veterans re-enter civilian society Guarding YOUR Pension The Armed Force Pensioners’/ Annuitants’ Association of Canada is committed to protect and promote the interests of retired Canadian Forces personnel and their spouses. Visit www.afpaac.ca to learn more about membership benefits. Membership is only $15/ year Join Us Today Membership ensures that all Armed Forces pensioners and their spouses have a strong advocacy voice