Record of Discussion – 6 - 7 April 2016

April 6 and 7, 2016
Pearson Boardroom, International Development Research Centre,
8th floor, 150 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario

The Policy Advisory Group identified that the key outcome for their work is to provide a reasonable expectation of quality of life for Veterans and their family members.

Potential deliverables included:

  • A hybrid model based on the best of the Pension Act and the New Veterans Charter;
  • A wellbeing model that relies on the provision of benefits to support Veterans’ health, income/financial security, his or her potential, and societal gratitude; and
  • A model based on clear and transparent communications as well as strong performance measures and benchmarks.

Scoping discussions centered on the following themes:

Financial Benefits Review

  • Provide the Minister of Veterans Affairs with advice on financial benefits, in regards to the items included in his mandate letter such as life-time pension options.
  • Define “a reasonable expectation” for Veterans to be able to achieve quality of life, particularly for injured veterans, and how income replacement would support that journey.
  • Advise the Minister on the benefits as well as the gaps and complexities found in the Pension Act and the New Veterans Charter.

Should time permit, the Policy Advisory Group could consider additional themes:

Vocational Rehabilitation and Education for Veterans and their Spouses

  • Provide the Minister with advice on the Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP).
  • Raise issues faced by caregivers and family members (in collaboration with the Advisory Group on Families).
  • Ensure a focus on benefits and services that support a Veteran to realize his or her potential, particularly for physically or psychologically injured Veterans.

Consult with Service Excellence Advisory Group to Reduce Service Delivery Complexity

  • Identify where (and when applicable - how) complexity can be addressed in service delivery.
  • Share examples of real-life experiences and frustrations with dealing with complexities.
  • Consider the necessity for a “transition navigator” between the Canadian Armed Forces/Department of National Defence.
  • Address Reservists who are currently not receiving the same services as Veterans.

Second Centre of Excellence

  • Provide advice to the Minister on what issue the second centre of excellence referred to in his mandate letter might address.

Policy Advisory Group business

  • Request for a meeting before the next Stakeholder Summit (proposed early May).
  • Group members will amend Terms of Reference and draft an agenda for the next meeting.
  • Members would like a technical briefing on benefits by departmental officials.

Other Items for Future Discussion/Work

  • Fairness and equality definitions.
  • Probable career earnings.
  • Closing the Seam and transition experiences.
  • Fiscal reality.
  • Assessment of potential impacts related to Policy Advisory Group recommendations.
  • Office of the Veterans Ombudsman review of pain and suffering.
  • Review of New Veterans Charter and Pension Act, other legislation, regulations and guidelines to identify gaps, problems, overlaps, and contradictions.
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