VAC supports the well-being and recognition of Canada’s Veterans and their families. The Department defines well-being as a satisfied and fulfilled Veteran with purpose, who is financially secure, safely housed, in good health physically and mentally, able to adapt to change, a part of their community, proud and aware of their legacy, and who is valued and celebrated.
Veterans in Canada have increasing and wide-ranging needs, and there is a risk that meeting these needs will be difficult while delivering timely, high-quality services. As of 31 March 2020, it is estimated that there are 631,300Footnote 1 Veterans in Canada. This includes 599,400 CAF Veterans and 31,900 War Service Veterans of different ages, financial circumstances, locations, and family supports.
Disability applications increased by an unprecedented 60% since 2015, including an increase of more than 90% in first applications for disability benefits. The Department continues to manage a backlog of more than 21,000 disability benefit applications that are outside the 16-week service standard. Addressing this backlog is a priority for the Department, but providing timely service to Veterans remains one of the biggest challenges within the portfolio.
While there have been service challenges for years, the Department’s ability to address increased demand year over year, on the heels of delivering on 21 mandate commitments in the last mandate, has been tested. However, the Department introduced a number of new plans, with more work to come over the next year, all of which are aimed at reducing the backlog and improving service delivery.
Deliver on our Mission
Gender based analysis plus
For a general GBA+ plan for VAC, consult the GBA+ Supplementary Information Table. Plans specific to Core Responsibilities can be found in the Planned Results section of this report.
For general information on GBA+ and the Government of Canada approach, please visit the Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)Footnote 2.
VAC works to provide a high standard of services and benefits to Canada’s Veterans, working quickly to respond to their needs with care, compassion and respect, while recognizing that work needs to occur with other government departments and with individual Veterans and their families to address all aspects of well-being. Canada’s Veterans and their families are at the centre of everything the Department does, and it is committed to making decisions that are based on evidence, feedback and careful testing.
VAC will also continue to consider all aspects of Gender based analysis plus (GBA+) to make sure that policies, programs and initiatives are unbiased and GBA+ is a part of the decisions that are made. This includes continuing with the Government of Canada’s modernization of sex and gender information practices and processes to recognize diverse identity factors.
VAC is committed to honouring the sacrifices and achievements of all those who served in Canada’s military efforts. The Department will continue to make sure that memorials, cemeteries and gravemarkers are preserved and cared for, and engage Canadians in remembrance through various national and international events, learning resources and commemorative projects.
Highlights for 2020–21
- Deliver quality services and commemorative activities with care, compassion and respect;
- Implement Budget 2019 initiatives and prepare to implement Budget 2020 initiatives;
- Work on priorities flowing from the launch of Pension For Life (PFL); and
- Set the vision for beyond 2021.
Modernize, Improve and Adapt
Every effort is made to improve service to Canada’s Veterans and their families. As the Veteran population continues to change, VAC must respond with individualized support and efficient processes. The Department has made a lot of progress in making information and services available online, and plans to continue those efforts through 2020–21. VAC will continue to consult Veterans and their families as online services expand.
The Department will look for ways to continue decreasing the amount of paperwork required from Veterans and their families. This will make it easier for applicants and will also simplify the process for employees. The Department is always working to improve how it works with partners like Department of National Defence (DND) to exchange information quickly and securely. New ways of working with CAF bases will be put in place to make the transition process simpler and provide advice, guidance and support to members prior to their release.
Highlights for 2020–21
- Build on what the Department has today while recognizing future opportunities;
- Continue to explore and apply a “digital first, with support” approach;
- Use new technologies to help address the disability application backlog;
- Advance the work of VAC’s Innovation Hub and search for opportunities to experiment; and
- Continue to promote integration of GBA+.
Care for our People
Employees at VAC are dedicated to delivering services and benefits to Veterans and their families with care, compassion and respect. VAC is committed to creating a workplace that empowers employees with authority to make decisions and gives them the tools they need to provide excellent service. The Department values teamwork, and promotes discussion and open communication to create a positive workplace where employees feel appreciated.
Employees who are involved and informed are better able to support Veterans and lead Canadians in paying tribute to the contribution and sacrifice of all who have served and continue to serve. VAC is committed to a culture that manages talent and finds and develops leaders, integrated talent management and leadership development culture, which will support employees and their development across the department.
Highlights for 2020–21
- Recruit, train and support employees;
- Focus on work-life balance and health of staff;
- Foster a workplace of choice; and
- Ensure a strong performance management approach.
For more information on VAC’s plans, priorities and planned results, see the following section, “Core responsibilities: planned results and resources.”