Record of Discussion – 21 July 2022

21 July 2022
13:30 – 15:00 (ET)

In attendance

Policy Advisory Group Members

  • Corporal (Retired) Debbie Adams
  • Sergeant (Retired) Catherine Bergeron
  • Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Lori Buchart, It's Not Just 20K
  • Brian Forbes, National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada
  • Tim Goddard
  • Sergeant (Retired) Kim Hendriken, RCMP Veterans Association
  • Lieutenant (Retired) Carolyn Hughes, Royal Canadian Legion
  • Captain (Retired) Dennis LeBlanc
  • Master Warrant Officer (Retired) William MacDonald
  • Commodore (Retired) Andrea Siew
  • Scott White

Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs

  • Borna Najafi

Veterans Affairs Canada Officials

  • Crystal Garrett-Baird, Director General, Policy and Research Division (Co-chair)
  • Crystal Neary, Project Officer, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach, Communications Division

Observer

  • Duane Schippers, Office of the Veterans Ombudsman

Regrets

  • Major (Retired) Mark Campbell
  • Rear-Admiral Luc Cassivi, Canadian Armed Forces
  • Master Corporal (Retired) Keith McAllister, Veterans UN-NATO Canada
  • Brigadier-General (Retired) Joe Sharpe

Opening Remarks

(Members of all six Ministerial Advisory Groups met in plenary and the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs brought greetings. Members were then transferred to the meeting of the Policy Advisory Group.)

  • The Acting Director General, Communications welcomed the participants to the virtual meeting and introduced the Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs.
  • The Deputy Minister welcomed the members and acknowledged that the land from which he was speaking is unceded Mi’kmaq territory he also acknowledged the ancestral and unceded territory of all Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people and took a moment to recognize the importance of these lands that we all call home.
  • He spoke to the renewal of the advisory groups that was launched in 2021 and the great response with over 125 applications. He indicated that there was a greater focus on diversity and that today we kick off a new series of meetings with 33 new members and many members that are continuing.
  • The Deputy spoke to the goals of the six Ministerial Advisory Groups and highlighted the focus on Veterans and their families. He reinforced the members roles and responsibilities to provide advice, insight, and recommendations to the Minister of Veterans Affairs. He also indicated that the Minister is looking forward to gathering with the members in the fall.
  • He noted the importance of hearing from the members and the community in order to understand the issues and areas where we need to improve. He talked about how the advice from the advisory groups has influenced many significant Government of Canada initiatives, including improvements in service delivery, mental health supports, supports for families and survivors, and reduced complexity in accessing benefits.
  • He thanked everyone for their participation.
  • The VAC Co-chairs were introduced and the members were transferred to their individual advisory group meeting.

Policy Advisory Group

Welcome

The VAC and member Co-chairs welcomed the members and thanked them for their time and effort to join the meeting virtually.

Roundtable Introductions

  • The VAC Co-chair opened the meeting and began the roundtable introductions.
  • Each member introduced themselves and provided brief background information.
  • Both new and old members expressed excitement and engagement for the work ahead for the group.

Review of the Terms of Reference

  • The VAC Co-chair lead the review of the Terms of Reference and highlighted the following key elements:
    • Mandate
    • Role and expectations
    • Code of Conduct
    • Potential requirements for a confidentiality agreement as per updates made by the OMVA in the spring of 2021
    • Selection of a member Co-chair (timing and transition period)
  • The VAC Co-chair opened the floor for questions.
  • Members expressed support for the Terms of Reference but noted that, with respect to confidentiality, a balance be struck between trust and transparency within the group and what is reported back to the public at large.
  • The group is committed to securing a safe place of trust between its members but noted that it is extremely important for the Department to be reporting back in a timely matter on what the AG is working on.

Forward Agenda

  • The VAC Co-chair led an overview of potential forward agenda items that reflect departmental priority areas where input and advice from the Advisory Group is needed.
  • Some members noted that although it is important to have new priorities and items, the group must review past recommendations and determine what issues are outstanding.
  • Items going forward to review or work on that were noted; modernization of health benefits, homelessness, rehab, women, LGTBQ+2 and other equity seeking groups, emerging treatments.

Next Step and Closing Remarks

  • The VAC Co-chair provided next steps, including dates of meetings.
  • VAC Co-chair thanked members for their participation.
  • During the meeting, the link to past ROD’s was shared for new members to review.
  • Members will also receive the past recommendations they were working on.
  • Excitement for the Fall meeting was expressed by many.
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