Who’s Who at the New Veterans Charter Launch - April 6, 2006

“Because brave men and women like yourselves have stood up for Canada at both home and abroad, our Government is committed to standing with you today by moving forward on the New Veterans Charter. This Charter will offer comprehensive levels of support to those men and women who are injured or disabled while serving Canada.

In future, when our servicemen and women leave our military family, they can rest assured the Government will help them and their families’ transition to civilian life. Our troops’ commitment and service to Canada entitle them to the very best treatment possible.

This Charter is but a first step toward according Canadian Veterans the respect and support they deserve.”

- The Right Honourable Stephen Harper,Prime Minister of Canada

“The new Charter provides opportunity with security. And the first step to opportunity is rehabilitation that focuses on getting well and staying well. In the next step of course is the opportunity for a new career. It will provide practical help to obtain civilian employment, the capacity to support their growing families, and to be able to contribute to society and realize their full potential given the leadership skills they learned in the military. And we will do our very best for them and we will never give up.”

- The Honourable Greg Thompson, P.C., MP, Minister of Veterans Affairs

“These great young men and women who serve our country, who wear our nation’s uniforms with such pride and who become the very credentials of our Canada are often placed in harm’s way. As a result they can suffer mental and physical injuries that can end their military careers, that can disrupt or break their families, and that can make it difficult to transition to or even continue life as a civilian.

They volunteer all; willingly put their life on the line for us, for Canada. But their families who are not volunteers and who often come to the military family early in life, before the depth of their commitment and potential sacrifice sinks in, also suffer and they must therefore also be supported.

I am sure that the new Charter will allow the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to look after its obligations in a good way. Furthermore, I am certain that in the next decades to come these new programs will be rendering immense services to the men and women of the Canadian Forces and their families.”

- General Rick Hillier, Chief of Defence Staff