27 May 2024
13:00 – 14:00 (ET)
Virtual – Microsoft Teams
Service Excellence and Transition Advisory Group Members
- Warrant Officer (Retired) Jessica Hewett, Co-Chair
- Joseph/Julia Burke
- Dr. Darryl Cathcart
- Corporal (Retired) Sylvain Chartrand, Canadian Veterans Advocacy
- Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Michael Hogan
- Lieutenant (Retired) Carolyn Hughes, Royal Canadian Legion
- Steve Graham, RCMP Veterans’ Association
- Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Watson, Canadian Armed Forces Liaison Officer to Veterans Affairs Canada
Regrets
- Corporal (Retired) Bruce Moncur, Co-Chair
- Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Dave Byrne
- Deanna Fimrite, Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
- Sweta Daboo, Special Assistant, Atlantic Desk
- Serena Smith, Senior Policy Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
- Trudie MacKinnon, Director General, Centralized Operations, Co-Chair
- Kristy McGuigan, Senior Analyst, Community Engagement
- Elizabeth Hughes, Project Officer, Community Engagement
- Noah Ellis, Project Assistant, Community Engagement
Land acknowledgement and welcome remarks
The VAC Co-Chair welcomed the group and led the meeting from Charlottetown, PE, acknowledging she resided on the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. She asked the group to take pause to reflect on how to advance reconciliation, whether it be to attend an Indigenous ceremony, listening to stories to better understand Indigenous traditions, or through other methods such as exploring Indigenous voices with television shows, podcasts, or books.
Approval of previous Record of Discussion
The 09 May 2024 Record of Discussion will be shared with the group members in June, for review and approval.
Member Discussion on Treatment Benefits
The Co-Chairs led a discussion regarding the automatic treatment benefit approval. The Co-Chairs acknowledged comments that were received from a member, in regards to the link between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A brief group discussion and comments included:
- Enhancements to the Mental Health Benefit, with the exclusion of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus conditions.
- Inclusion of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which account for 27% of the unit’s overall intake.
Similar to the Mental Health Benefit, a Veteran would apply for a disability benefit and then would automatically be approved for the treatment benefit that is affiliated, while a decision is rendered on their claim.
Transition Process
The Co-Chairs then began the discussion on the transition process for releasing members. Following consultations with VAC and review of current research on this issue, a critical timeframe for Veterans was identified post-transition, at the 12-24 month timeframe. The members discussed recommending that VAC perform outreach to released Veterans during this time frame to continue to support their transition.
One member shared comments with the group on the overall price increase of housing at current, and for those who live in military quarters. To start the transition ahead of release, and to support Veterans to find an affordable home, and ensure they are aware of the different financial benefits available to them would be helpful. In response to this, another member shared the resource offered by Veterans House Canada and their mission to helping homeless Veterans build a better future by providing permanent, affordable and supportive housing. Members discussed exploring this issue in future meetings.
Closing remarks and next steps
The VAC Co-Chair shared with the group the forward plan timeline post meeting which included:
- The Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach (SEO) Team will ask the group members for review and approval of the recommendations.
- Feedback and further comments are welcome, and if no response from members, recommendations will be considered approved.
- If responses, the SEO Team will send edits back to the Co-Chairs for final review and approval, and then will send recommendations to the Department
The VAC Co-Chair intends to plan the next meeting in September or October 2024, and looks forward to future planning. The Co-Chair thanked everyone for their attendance today and the insightful discussions.