Drafting A New Veterans' Charter

A new Veterans' Charter that keeps pace with the needs of releasing Canadian Forces(CF) members and their families is being developed by our Department, in close consultation with the Department of National Defence. The Charter represents the most sweeping change to veterans' benefits and services in the past 60 years.

The drafting of the proposed Charter follows several months of discussions and meetings with many people and organizations. This includes veterans' and peacekeeper groups.

The new Charter does not change any of the benefits that traditional war service veterans now receive and depend on. Instead, the Charter will add new benefits to address the needs of modern-day veterans with the same caring and sensitivity that went into developing programs and services to support Canadians who returned to "civvy street" after serving in the Second World War and Korea.

If approved, the Charter will create a wellness strategy that includes:

• disability awards;
• rehabilitation;
• job placement and support;
• economic loss support; and
• health benefits.

These support features are very important because the average age of releasing CF members is 36 years. At this age, they are eager to build a life that offers them and their families, security, dignity, independence, and the ability to continue to contribute to Canada and the communities in which they live.

Maintaining a full and rewarding life is equally important to war service veterans - but because of their age and different health needs, they need other kinds of support. Our Department has already made this a priority. In 2004, many changes to our programs and services were put in place to address the most urgent needs of aging veterans. These benefits are reviewed often so that we can make sure they continue to meet the ongoing needs of older veterans.

We'll keep you posted on the progress of the new Charter in the next issue of Salute! In the meantime, you can visit our Web site to learn more about how our Department and National Defence are working together to support CF members and their families. Go to www.vac-acc.gc.ca and click on Vision of a Modern Day Veterans' Charter.