January 13–14, 2026
09:00 – 16:00 EST
Hybrid meeting - Ottawa, ON
Women Veterans Council members
In person
- Constable (Retired) Vivienne Stewart, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Lieutenant (Navy) (Retired) Wenshuang “Wen” Nie, Canadian Armed Forces
- Colonel (Retired) Telah Morrison, OMM, CD, Canadian Armed Forces
- Sergeant (Retired) Jessica Miller, Canadian Armed Forces
- Corporal (Retired) Sarah Lefurgey, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Warrant Officer (Retired) Celine Filion, Canadian Armed Forces
- Constable (Retired) Jennifer Chorney, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Lieutenant-Colonel Dawn Leblanc, CD, Canadian Armed Forces
- Captain (Retired) Lindsay Shields, CD, Canadian Armed Forces
- Corporal Ellen Peters, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Captain (Retired) Hélène Le Scelleur, CD, Canadian Armed Forces
Virtual
- Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Eleanor Taylor, Canadian Armed Forces
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
In person
- Christine McDowell, Deputy Minister
- Trudie MacKinnon, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Commemoration and Public Affairs
- Moussa Dramé, Acting Director General, Community Engagement
- Peggy Nash-Butt, Manager, Women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans Engagement Team
- Ana Belen, Program Operations Assistant, Women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans Engagement Team
Virtual
- Alesia Chiasson, Acting Project Officer, Women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans Engagement Team
- Kim Bethke, Initiatives Manager, Women Veterans
- Sylvie Thibodeau-Sealy, Acting Director General, Commemoration
- Deborah Bethel, Director, Commemorative Programming and Operations
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
In person
- The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
- Dilys Fernandes, Chief of Staff
- Dana Shami, Policy Advisor
Support
In person
- Suzie Rodrigue, Mental Health Professional
Land acknowledgement and welcoming remarks
The Deputy Minister opened the meeting with a land acknowledgement and welcoming remarks. The presence of the mental health professional was acknowledged, with emphasis on creating a supportive and trauma‑informed environment throughout the two‑day meeting.
Presentation of the annual report
The Council presented its draft annual report and expressed support for its public release. Veterans Affairs Canada noted that timelines, communications planning, and ministerial approval remain to be confirmed. The Department committed to providing a proposed publication timeline and updating the Council following further discussions.
Council historical context
At the Council’s request, Veterans Affairs Canada provided a high‑level overview of the establishment of the Women Veterans Council to reaffirm its mandate and advisory role.
The Council was established to provide lived‑experience insight to inform ministerial efforts to address systemic barriers affecting women Veterans, while broader engagement and research remain departmental responsibilities.
Veterans Affairs Canada acknowledged the importance of continued clarification following the Council’s first year of operation and committed to advancing this work collaboratively. Members emphasized the need for clear public understanding of the Council’s role.
Women Veterans Day
Veterans Affairs Canada sought the Council’s advice on the proposed establishment of a National Women Veterans Day, including potential dates and commemorative considerations. Members emphasized that the recognition must be meaningful, inclusive, and authentic.
Discussion focused on June and October as potential options, with members highlighting the importance of broader consultation. To support informed decision‑making, the Department proposed conducting a questionnaire to gather feedback on the two proposed dates.
Members underscored the importance of clearly defining who is recognized as a Veteran, including women who served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as this shapes both inclusion and public understanding.
Veterans Affairs Canada indicated that further engagement would inform future decisions and that updates would be shared with the Council.
Ministerial working session
The Minister met with the Council to clarify its advisory role, mandate, and how its advice informs departmental processes and strategic direction.
The Minister outlined 2026 priorities, including commemorating modern‑day women Veterans, strengthening transition supports through a sex‑ and gender‑informed lens, and advancing employment and skills recognition.
Council members highlighted priorities related to employment framing, women‑specific health supports, homelessness during transition, and clearer plain‑language tools for clinicians and Veterans.
The Department committed to updating the Council on Tables of Disabilities and Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines, including GBA Plus considerations, for review and feedback.
Transition of Council membership
Several members indicated their intention to step down, citing the intensity of the inaugural year and the personal impact of serving amid evolving mandate clarity. Members emphasized the need for trauma‑informed approaches and clear expectations.
Members stepping down include:
- Constable (Retired) Vivienne Stewart
- Captain (Retired) Hélène Le Scelleur, CD
- Captain (Retired) Lindsay Shields, CD
- Sergeant (Retired) Jessica Miller
- Lieutenant (Navy) (Retired) Wenshuang “Wen” Nie
- Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Eleanor Taylor
The Minister and departmental officials thanked departing members for their service and contributions. Colonel (Retired) Telah Morrison confirmed she will remain on the Council.
Governance and the way forward
The Council discussed governance, emphasizing clarity, trust, and sustainability. The Minister’s Office and Secretariat will revise governance materials and share them with the Council for review prior to onboarding new members.
Members supported a deliberate approach to filling vacancies and discussed potential leadership models, including chair and vice‑chair roles and a supportive VAC DG‑level co‑chair role. No decisions were made.
Women Veterans Forum
The Minister advised that a Women Veterans Forum is planned for June 2026 in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence. Members emphasized defining clear objectives and success criteria.
Concluding remarks
The chair and departmental representatives thanked members for their engagement and contributions. Participants expressed optimism about moving forward with greater clarity, trust, and shared purpose.