The Program has remained relatively stable with few changes since the last evaluation published in March 2014. The Program also plays a part in supporting the Department’s mandateFootnote 6 of supporting the well-being of Veterans and their families.
3.1 Continued Need for the Program
There is a continued need for the Program
The Program continues to receive new applications each year. In 2017-18, VAC received an average of one application per day. Table 3 shows the number of applications received.
| Fiscal Year | Total Applications | Favourable | Unfavourable* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 448 | 178 (40%) | 270 (60%) |
| 2015-16 | 460 | 147 (32%) | 313 (68%) |
| 2016-17 | 381 | 131 (34%) | 250 (66%) |
| 2017-18 | 365 | 152 (42%) | 213 (58%) |
| 2018-19** | 163 | 60 (37%) | 103 (63%) |
* the number of applications with unfavourable decisions will be discussed later in the report.
** first six months of fiscal year 2018-19.
Despite an overall recipient population which continues to decline, the continued receipt of new applications, key informant interviews and a review of documents indicate that the Program continues to meet a need for this population of Veterans, qualified civilians and their survivors. Recipients of the Program are provided with regular monthly income to meet basic needs. In addition, a favourable decision provides access to other important programs such as the Health Care Benefits (Treatment Benefits) Program, the Veterans Independence Program, the Long-Term Care Program and the VAC Assistance Fund.
On October 1, 2013, a change was implemented to the Program such that a Veteran’s disability pension would no longer count as income in their WVA monthly payment calculation. The 2014 evaluation reported that because of this change, it was forecasted that the Program could receive an additional 3,000 Veterans and recipients. Actuals showed that despite a small increase in Veteran recipients from 2012-13 to 2013-14, the overall recipient number continued to decline although it was at a slower rate. Figure 1 shows recipient trends over time.
| 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19* | 2019-20* | 2020-21* | 2021-22* | 2022-23* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans | 695 | 596 | 667 | 527 | 404 | 355 | 323 | 280 | 240 | 200 | 170 | 140 |
| Survivors and Orphans | 3,317 | 2,898 | 2,577 | 2,271 | 2,041 | 1,796 | 1,572 | 1,430 | 1,270 | 1,130 | 1,000 | 890 |
| Total Receipients | 4,012 | 3,494 | 3,244 | 2,798 | 2,445 | 2,151 | 1,895 | 1,710 | 1,510 | 1,330 | 1,170 | 1,030 |
* Forecast
3.2 Alignment with Government Priorities
The Program is aligned with Government priorities.
Budget 2016 reiterated the Government’s commitment to Veterans, stating “Our veterans have dedicated their lives to the defence of their country. They deserve our gratitude, our respect and our support. We made a solemn promise that they will have it. And we will keep that promise.”
More recently, the Veterans Affairs Canada Minister’s mandate letter from 2017 talks about ensuring, “that Veterans receive the respect, support, care and economic opportunities they deserve” and the Departmental Plan for 2018-19 lists “Veterans and their families are financially secure” as a core responsibility.
In addition, the most recent Departmental Plan highlights the core responsibilities of the Department which include providing benefits, services and support saying, “Everything we do under this Core Responsibility is designed to achieve the following Departmental results: Veterans are physically and mentally well; Veterans and their families are financially secure …”.
3.3 Alignment with Federal Roles and Responsibilities
The Program continues to align with Federal Roles and Responsibilities
Delivery of the Program is aligned with federal roles and responsibilities. More specifically, VAC derives its legislative authority to deliver the Program from Section 4(a)(1) of the Department of Veterans Affairs Act which assigns the Minister of Veterans Affairs the powers, duties, and functions to provide for:
“…the care, treatment or re-establishment in civil life of any person who served in the Canadian Forces or merchant navy or in the naval, army or air forces or merchant navies of Her Majesty, of any person who has otherwise engaged in pursuits relating to war, and of any other person designated by the Governor in Council…”
VAC offers a number of benefits and services to meet this mandate including financial support to allow qualified recipients to receive a monthly income to meet their basic needs.
VAC’s responsibility to deliver the Program is outlined further in the War Veterans Allowance Act and the Civilian War-related Benefits Act which discuss payment of allowances as well as appeals and quarterly adjustment of rates.
Potential Program Duplication and/or Overlap
The Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) are federal government programs that are designed to provide financial support to senior Canadians. The Program does not replace either of these programs. Instead, it is designed to provide an extra source of funds, in addition to the OAS and GIS, to help qualified recipients meet basic needs.