Record of Discussion - 22 April 2026

22 April 2026
13:00 – 14:00 (ET)

Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Service Excellence and Transition Advisory Group members

  • Julia-Joseph Burke, CD
  • Dr. Darryl Cathcart (co-chair)
  • Corporal (Retired) Sylvain Chartrand, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
  • Deanna Fimrite, Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada
  • Steve Graham, RCMP Veterans’ Association
  • Warrant Officer (Retired) Jessica Hewett (co-chair)
  • Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Michael Hogan
  • Lieutenant (Retired) Carolyn Hughes, Royal Canadian Legion
  • Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Floyd Powder, Métis Veteran Council

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) officials

  • Nathalie Pham, Director General, Field Operations
  • Elizabeth Hughes, Project Officer, Community Engagement
  • Megan MacKinnon, Program Operations Assistant, Community Engagement

Observer

  • Erin MacDonald, Office of the Veterans Ombud

Regrets

  • Lieutenant Colonel Michael Draho, Liaison Officer to Veterans Affairs Canada, Canadian Armed Forces

Land acknowledgement and welcome remarks

The VAC co-chair opened the meeting by welcoming members, expressing appreciation for their participation and contributions to the recommendations, and delivered a land acknowledgement.

Recommendation discussion and vote

A member co-chair led the review of the three outstanding recommendations and one newly submitted recommendation. Members discussed each recommendation and were given the opportunity to provide feedback prior to voting.

All four recommendations presented were approved by the voting members with one recommendation requiring minor revision.

Closing remarks and next steps

The member co-chairs expressed appreciation for the group’s work in developing meaningful recommendations and indicated that members should take pride in their contributions. The VAC co-chair provided closing remarks and outlined the next steps for finalizing the recommendations and submitting them to the Minister.

Meeting adjourned.