Departmental plan at a glance 2024–2025

Departmental results:

• Veterans are physically and mentally well
• Veterans and their families are financially secure
• Veterans have a sense of purpose
• Veterans are able to adapt, manage, and cope within post-service life
• Veterans are living in safe and adequate housing
• Veterans are socially supported
• Veterans are satisfied with the services they receive

Planned spending in 2024–25: $6,035,584,079

Planned human resources (full time equivalents) in 2024–25: 2,718.5

We have a broad range of plans to improve the well-being of Veterans across the various domains of well-being. Our commitment to the physical and mental well-being of Veterans is strengthened by significant recent investments. Part of this funding will allow us to retain temporary employees to reduce disability benefit application backlogs and to also retain and hire case managers.

Automation initiatives, such as the VAC Healthshare platform, aim to expedite decision-making and enhance the overall service delivery model. Efforts also include the evaluation of the Centre of Excellence for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related Mental Health Conditions and the modernization of mental health services.

Financial security for Veterans is also a priority, including Information Technology (IT) modernization for timely processing of payments and research on financial well-being. The National Veterans’ Employment Strategy aims to facilitate smooth transitions from military to civilian jobs, emphasizing meaningful employment opportunities, private sector job development, and enhanced public service career options.

Supporting Veterans’ ability to manage and adapt to post-service life involves reviewing transition processes, collaborating with the Department of National Defence, and simplifying service delivery through the Canadian Armed Forces-VAC Seamless Transition Task Force.

The commitment to safe and adequate housing includes continued collaboration with Infrastructure Canada on the Veteran Homelessness Program and support through the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund. Social support initiatives include collaboration with the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre and support for community-based services through the Veteran Family and Well-Being Fund.

We remain committed to applying Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) to ensure accessible, responsive, and timely services and benefits for Veterans and their families. The GBA Plus Strategy emphasizes a cultural shift, heightened awareness, and integration of GBA Plus into the design of all initiatives. The GBA Plus Policy highlights our commitment to mainstreaming GBA Plus principles across research, policy, service delivery, and audit and evaluation, with mandatory training for staff at all levels. We will continue to refine data collection to better understand Veterans’ diverse needs and to ensure equitable access to programs and services. Additionally, initiatives will adhere to Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) principles, promoting fair representation of women Veterans and marginalized groups.

We are also aligning our efforts with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, contributing to specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through various programs. These programs address poverty, health and well-being, education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, decent work, sustainable cities, and communities, as well as peace, justice, and strong institutions. This comprehensive approach extends to housing programs, support for job-seeking Veterans, and legal assistance through the Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA), aligning our work with broader national and international sustainability objectives.

More information about Benefits, Services and Support can be found in the full departmental plan.

Departmental results:

• Veterans and those who died in service are honoured
• Canadians remember and appreciate Veterans and those who died in service

Planned spending in 2024–25: $52,432,284

Planned human resources (full time equivalents) in 2024–25: 89.1

This section highlights our commitment to commemorating and honoring those who served in Canada’s military efforts. This core responsibility contributes to Quality of Life (QoL) domains, including fostering societal pride, participation in cultural practices, and ecological integrity, with a key indicator being a sense of meaning and purpose for Veterans. The results and targets section outlines specific goals, which include enhancing client satisfaction, increasing virtual memorial engagement, and improving visitor understanding.

While working toward these objectives, we plan to improve learning materials, lead commemorative efforts nationally and internationally, and mark significant anniversaries, ranging from the end of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan to the Invictus Games. Preservation and modernization efforts are a top priority, with more funding dedicated to renewing monuments, infrastructure, and visitor experiences at memorial sites. This includes commitments to sustainability, accessibility assessments, and modernization of exhibits.

We also highlight our commitment to inclusivity through the application of a Gender-Based Analysis Plus lens. Initiatives include evolving learning products, enhancing training for on-site students and staff, and ongoing reviews and assessments on accessibility. Lastly, we will align our efforts with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing specifically to SDGs 3 and 15 through diverse representation in visitor experiences, adaptive programming, and ongoing partnerships for forest management. This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to honoring Veterans, ensuring inclusivity, and contributing to broader sustainability goals.

More information about Commemoration can be found in the full departmental plan.

Departmental results:

• Veterans and their families have access to a timely review of complaints about the programs, services and support delivered by the Veterans Affairs Portfolio
• Issues about the programs, services and support provided to Veterans and their families by the Veterans Affairs Portfolio identified by the Office of the Veterans Ombudsperson are addressed

Planned spending in 2024–25: $4,853,337

Planned human resources (full time equivalents) in 2024–25: 39.0

The Office of the Veterans Ombudsperson (OVO) serves as an impartial body responsible for reviewing complaints and issues related to programs and services provided by the Veterans Affairs Portfolio while aiming to uphold the Veterans Bill of Rights. The core responsibility focuses on ensuring good governance, addressing discrimination, and fostering confidence in institutions.

Under the core responsibility of providing timely reviews of complaints, the OVO plans to use call recording for quality assurance purposes, establish a Complaint Review Committee, and enhance awareness of its services within the Veterans’ community. Additionally, efforts will be made to connect with Veterans through social media, ensuring they understand Veterans Affairs Canada programs and benefits. The OVO commits to addressing fairness issues and conducting systemic reviews.

Additionally, the OVO aligns with government priorities, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus in systemic reviews, enhancing client data quality, and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2024–25, the OVO aims to prioritize intervention on individual cases, implement tools to identify unfairness in policy and process, and contribute to SDGs 5 and 10 by ensuring equitable access to benefits and services for all Veterans.

More information about Veterans Ombudsperson can be found in the full departmental plan.