Women Veterans Council

The Women Veterans Council offers the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence insight on specific initiatives and priority areas from their unique points of view and lived experiences on all matters of importance to women (still-serving and Veterans).

Since 1885, women have significantly participated in the Canadian military and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Despite ongoing efforts to meaningfully integrate women into the military, inequities remain including equity to benefits, data equity, economic equity, health equity and access to services, benefits, and program supports. To support the fastest growing cohort of Canadian Veterans – women – in recent years the Defence community, including Veterans Affairs Canada have been working to address those inequities. Women Veterans have stressed the need for VAC to provide tailored benefits, programs and services and provide a platform for sustained, active engagement. It is against this backdrop that the Women Veterans Council (the Council) is established.

Are you interested in joining the Women Veterans Council?

Read the Terms of reference

Apply now

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, invites still-serving and all women Veterans from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to apply to become a member of the new Ministerial Women’s Veterans Council. The Council is a place for your voice as a woman with lived experiences to help inform the Minister and the Department on how to better meet the needs of all women Veterans.

The Council will consist of women from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences. The Council will meet quarterly and members will serve a multi-year term.

If this opportunity interests and excites you, please submit the following two pieces of information by email:

• an up-to-date resume; and
• a personal narrative describing your experience and interest in being a member of the Council.

The deadline for applications is 5 July 2024.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Women Veterans Council, please contact us by email.