Current status: closed
This consultation ran from 26 November 2024 to 13 December 2024.
We would like to thank the over 300 participants who took part in our Let’s Talk Veterans consultation on Transition Services.
Every year, approximately 7,800 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members transition from the military to life after service and on average 995 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) members (both Regular and Civilian members) discharge. A successful and positive transition/discharge process depends on many factors which relate to overall well-being, including having timely access to support that meets the needs of members and families during the process.
With this consultation we hoped to gain more insight into the perspectives of Veterans, former RCMP members and their families on the transition/discharge process. The consultation was held for a period of three weeks, from 26 November 2024 to 13 December 2024.
VAC promoted the consultation through:
- social media,
- email,
- the Salute! newsletter and via our partners,
- CAF and RCMP email lists and social media
Who was the focus of this consultation
Participants were invited to share their feedback as a:
- CAF Veteran,
- a former RCMP member,
- a family member of a transitioned CAF member, or
- as a family member of a former RCMP member.
What we heard
We asked
Questions for each category focused on the following topics:
- Demographics
- Experience during the transition/discharge process
- Barriers encountered while transitioning/discharging
- Ways to reduce barriers
- Types of support needed
- Ability to adapt to life after service
You said
From the 337 people who took part in the consultation, we received 300 submissions in English and 37 in French. In total we had 239 male participants, 93 female participants and five participants who preferred not to say.
We heard from:
- 244 CAF Veterans,
- 60 former RCMP members,
- 21 family members of a transitioned member of the CAF and
- 12 participants who didn’t identify with any of the suggested categories.
Key takeaways
- Families need to be more informed on the transition process and on services that are available to them.
- Most Veterans, former RCMP members and families have difficulties in the transition process.
- The continuum of health care and securing health care providers is a concern for most participants.
- Support during the transition/discharge process is not adequate or needs improvement.
We will
We will use the feedback we collected from this consultation to inform ongoing work related to seamless transition, reducing barriers to accessing VAC programs and services as well as providing the supports needed to ensure the transition/discharge process is a successful one for everyone.
VAC along with the CAF and RCMP will continue working together with stakeholders to offer more support to Veterans, former RCMP members and families.