News Release

Minister of Veterans Affairs Announces Appointments to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board

Ottawa – The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced two appointments to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB).

Joan M. Walsh, of Watervale, Prince Edward Island, and Major Edward (Ted) A. Giraldeau, of St. Albert, Alberta, are the newest members named to the Board.

"I am very pleased to have two such well-qualified individuals eager to take on the challenge before them," said Minister Thompson. "Ms. Walsh and Mr. Giraldeau are committed to bringing the high level of service and respect that clients of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board have earned and deserve," added Minister Thompson.

VRAB provides Veterans, Canadian Forces personnel, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and certain civilians and/or their dependants with a review and appeal mechanism for disability pension or award decisions. It also handles the final appeal on War Veterans Allowance decisions made by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Ms. Walsh is a health-care leader with more than 25 years of diverse nursing experience in the clinical, academic and administrative settings. Her appointment is effective immediately.

Major Giraldeau is a senior army officer with a reputation for outstanding skills in leadership, in strategic and operational planning, and in administration. His appointment is effective Nov. 20.

The selection of Ms. Walsh and Major Giraldeau was completed under a new hiring process aimed at ensuring appointments are made in an open and transparent fashion -- through the compilation of a list of fully qualified candidates.

Created in 1995, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board is an independent, quasi-judicial agency that reports directly to Parliament through the Minister of Veterans Affairs. There are now 22 full-time members on the Board, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, with terms ranging from one to 10 years. For more information, visit the VRAB Web site.

A backgrounder on the appointment process for VRAB members is also available on the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site.

All Other Enquiries:
information@vac-acc.gc.ca