21st Century Support
The Government of Canada has unveiled plans to embark on the most wide-ranging reform of
veterans' programs since the Second World War. The development of a modern-day Veterans'
Charter has the potential to help thousands of releasing Canadian Forces (CF) veterans and
their families who need support to re-enter civilian life. None of the changes will reduce or take away services and benefits that traditional war service veterans depend on.
As part of a new Veterans' Charter, our Department plans to research, develop,
and put in place:
- rehabilitation services to help those who are injured in body, mind or spirit, as well as
job training and education;
- a job placement program to help CF veterans re-enter the civilian workplace;
- earnings loss support for CF veterans undergoing rehabilitation, as well as
longer-term income support for members who can no longer work because of an
illness or injury that is related to their service;
- a more coordinated approach to health benefits and services that responds to the
special needs of CF veterans and their families; and
- disability awards and wellness programs to replace today's pension system for new
applicants.
The approach responds to concerns raised in March in a discussion paper written by the Veterans Affairs Canada-Canadian Forces Advisory Council.
 To help develop our approach, our Department has formed the Service and Program Modernization Task Force. This task force has already started to consult with many groups and people who have a special interest in the well-being of veterans and still-serving Canadian Forces members. The work of the task force will build on the many initiatives that have already been put in place by the Department of National Defence and our Department to improve CF members' quality of life.
You can learn more about our plans to reform programs and services, and read the Council's
discussion paper, by visiting our Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca
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