August 2024

News

Funding available for activities commemorating Veterans’ Week

Is your organization or community planning a commemorative activity or event? Perhaps your local cenotaph or memorial could use some maintenance?

While commemoration is year-round, now is the time to apply for funding to make sure that the work is complete before November. Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day are just a few months away, when many organizations and people gather for events to honour those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict, and peace. Let’s keep their achievements and sacrifices alive for all Canadians to remember.

Your organization may be eligible for funding from the Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP).

Apply now

We’ve made our application process easier than ever with our online portal. While we accept applications year-round, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you wish to access funding for this fall.

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Programs and services

Peer support groups: Reach out to others who have experienced sexual misconduct and military sexual trauma

If you experienced sexual misconduct or military sexual trauma (MST), we invite you to join one of our support groups.

The Formal Peer Support Group consists of 10 group sessions facilitated by a trained peer supporter with lived experience, and a mental health professional. Sessions are guided by educational materials covering topics such as trauma, moral injury, coping and self-care, and are supported by peer-group discussions. The Formal Peer Support Group will run from September 23 to November 29, and we kindly ask you to register before September 13.

The Informal Peer Support Group consists of eight group sessions facilitated by two trained peer supporters with lived experience. The informal group layout fosters mutual support and understanding through spontaneous conversations. Discussions are guided by the needs and interests of participants, based their lived experiences. The Informal Peer Support Group will run from October 14 to December 6, and we kindly ask you to register before October 4.

Both services are hosted virtually in English and French and are available to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and current and former employees of the Department of National Defence aged 18 and older.

Participants can choose to join either or both of the two support groups.

To support everyone’s safety, all participants will discuss the process to participate with a peer support staff.

The seminars are hosted by the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

For more information or to join a group, please email the SMSRC or call the 24/7 line at 1-844-750-1648.

If you have experienced sexual misconduct or MST, you can get immediate support by calling SMSRC’s 24/7 line at 1-844-750-1648. You may also be entitled to benefits and support; visit our page on military sexual trauma to learn more.

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Measuring success: Helmets to Hardhats support equity-deserving Veterans

The transition to civilian life after service can be challenging for Veterans, in particular for marginalized populations.

In recognition of these challenges, Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) created the Women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans in Skilled Trades Careers project to increase opportunities for these equity-deserving Veteran groups.

H2H engaged with women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans to highlight openings in unionized skilled trades, aiming to connect at least 150 participants with new opportunities. The project focused on directly engaging participants through weekly interviews and personalized support, ensuring they received the necessary guidance and resources needed for career development within the skilled trades. Participant progress was tracked from registration through to placement into apprenticeship or employment.

Through this project, H2H developed several best practices to better serve Veterans. For instance, their outreach strategy with digital and face-to-face engagement helped them connect with Veterans across Canada. By partnering with stakeholders and industry members, H2H improved outreach and its programs. Additionally, by attending employment fairs, workshops, Pride events and construction-related conferences, H2H learned about the challenges for women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans transitioning to civilian careers. This allowed them to refine their supports for these Veterans.

The project successfully enrolled 165 participants, including 67 women and 37 self-identified 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans.

Looking ahead, H2H plans to expand its outreach to support women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans pursuing rewarding careers in the construction industry, and promote inclusivity and opportunities for all Veterans.

Veterans Affairs Canada has supported this project through the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund. Visit our website to learn more about funding projects like this one.

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Spotlight on Rainbow Veterans

Sharp Dopler: A gift for learning

Growing up in rural Newfoundland, Two-Spirit Indigenous Veteran Sharp Dopler had a curious mind and a gift for learning.

Born into a military family of Irish and Aniuyunwiya/ Meskwakie/Ashkwakie descent, they suffered frequent acts of racial discrimination. They said they had never “really felt seen or good at anything.”

That changed in 1974 when, at age 11, they decided to follow their father’s footsteps and join the cadets.

Read their story on our website.

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Veterans' stories

Lieutenant (N) (Retired) Sylvain Bouliane

Eager to serve

With a father who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, Montreal-born Sylvain Bouliane was eager to serve his country. After joining the Sea Cadets at the age of 13, he embarked four years later on his 25-year career as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Below, he describes his first overseas deployment to Egypt as a UN peacekeeper.

Read Sylvain’s story.

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Invictus 2025

Focused on the games behind the scenes

Lieutenant (Retired) Eric Dionne, Invictus Games 2023 Alumnus

Lieutenant (Retired) Eric Dionne, Invictus Games 2023 Alumnus, is proud to now support the Invictus Games 2025 from behind the scenes.

“The best part of being in the army is that you have a group of people to rely on. The more stuff you live through together, the more you can rely on each other. For one reason or another, the Invictus team kind of skipped doing things together to get there and we’re just there already, which has been an awesome experience.”

Eric Dionne was first posted to Quebec City in the 3rd Battalion Royal 22nd Regiment, then to St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and later Ottawa. Over the course of his military career he was deployed to Afghanistan three times, and to Haiti once.

Eric competed in the 2023 Invictus Games in indoor rowing, archery, and wheelchair rugby. He was motivated to apply by the opportunity to travel and meet people with similar lived experiences—something he missed about the military. Eric found a support network in his fellow competitors during the 2023 Invictus Games. However, his biggest supporter—and number one fan—has always been his wife, Julie Rajotte.

“[Julie] has been with me my whole life. We got married when we were 20, got together when we were 16. I probably wouldn’t have gotten through half of it without her.”

Due to an injury, Eric had his foot amputated above the ankle, and now uses a prosthetic. He says that in the years following his injury, it became very difficult to properly take care of himself. It was Julie who stepped up and became Eric’s caretaker.

“I think the fact that I was also in the military for eight years allowed me to be very flexible and understanding. He had four tours in five years. It was very rough and difficult, but also helped us grow tremendously as a couple. I think that’s why we’re stronger than ever now,” Julie says. “Having gone through all of the tours and challenges together also helped us get through Eric’s injury.”

Eric now works for Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), supporting the upcoming Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, BC.

Although he says his move to VAC was unexpected, Eric is happy to stay involved with the Invictus Games. He emphasizes the importance of finding a purpose after leaving the military. However, according to Eric, the biggest news for the Dionne family came in December 2023.

“We had our daughter, Violette Rose Dionne, on 1 December 2023, a whole six weeks early. Quite the experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I honestly didn’t think it was in the cards for us but super happy.”

“I’m happy to have the opportunity to continue to participate in the Invictus Games. I’m very fortunate to have a goal outside of my personal life. This is my first job since leaving the Army and, while it is part-time, it is a step in the right direction. For now, I’m focused on the 2025 Games and then will see what’s next.”

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Commemoration

How the “Buffalo Nine” led to National Peacekeepers’ Day

Private Alan Connell and Private Adam Haverstock patrol the Green Line (Israel) on foot during a United Nations Peacekeeping mission, in 1974. They were not aboard Buffalo 461 when it was shot down.

On 9 August 1974, a Canadian Armed Forces plane carrying nine peacekeepers was shot down. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of this tragedy—the greatest single-day loss of Canadian life in the history of our peacekeeping operations. This event was also the impetus for the creation of National Peacekeepers’ Day in Canada.

Traveling from Ismailia, Egypt, to Damascus, Syria, Buffalo 461 took to the skies for what would be its last flight.

The UN had deployed peacekeeping missions in the Middle East to help settle tensions after a major conflict in the region.

It was an unarmed Canadian Armed Forces transport plane on a scheduled supply flight to the Golan Heights. It was painted blue and white, making it easily identifiable as a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping plane.

To ensure their protection, the crew of Buffalo 461 filed a standard civilian flight plan. They made mandatory contacts with air traffic control in Beirut, Lebanon, and Damascus, Syria, to report their position.

Shortly after takeoff, three Syrian missiles struck the plane. The first one caused some damage, but an experienced pilot could have landed the plane. The second and third, however, directly hit the aircraft. There was nothing else the crew could do.

The plane crashed to the ground, killing all nine peacekeepers on board.

In 2008, August 9 was officially designated National Peacekeepers’ Day. It is an opportunity to remember the brave Canadians we lost that day, and to honour all those who have served in peacekeeping missions over the years.

Each year around that day, commemorative events across the country to pay tribute to Canada’s peacekeepers.

Learn more about Canada’s contribution to peacekeeping around the world.

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Commemoration calendar

August 29: King George V granted the Canadian Navy permission to add the prefix “Royal,” 1911

September 2: Canadian Forces participate in the search and recovery mission of the Swissair Flight 111 crash, 1998

September 2: Operation Medusa began in Afghanistan, 2006

September 3: Merchant Navy Veterans Day

September 3: Canadian and other Allied troops landed on mainland Italy, 1943

September 15: Canadians begin the Battle of Courcelette during the Somme Offensive, 1916

September 15: Battle of Britain Sunday

September 15–16: Canadian peacekeepers saw heavy action in the Medak Pocket, Croatia, 1993

September 19–20: Newfoundland Regiment lands in Gallipoli, 1915

September 26: Beginning of Canadian participation in the UN Mission in the Congo, 1999

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Engagement

The 2024 VAC National Client Survey currently underway

You may receive a call from Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc. to participate in the 2024 VAC National Client Survey. It will help us improve how we deliver our benefits and services, and measure the health and well‑being of those we serve.

A random sample of approximately 3,750 people receiving VAC benefits or services have been identified to be surveyed. This includes Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans, members, and survivors who received or applied for a VAC benefit in the last 12 months.

Participants will only receive calls during the following local times, and be offered the option to do the survey online or by telephone, in the official language of their choice.

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 – 21:00
• Saturday: 12:00 – 18:00
• Sunday and statutory holidays: 12:00 – 18:00.

Participants can also choose a paper version of the survey.

The questionnaire takes about 25 minutes to complete, and participation is voluntary. All responses and personal information are anonymous and confidential in accordance with the Privacy Act, and will not have any impact on the benefits or services received now or in the future.

It's important to remember that VAC will never ask for a Social Insurance Number or credit card information. We urge Veterans and all participants to be vigilant when asked for this type of information over the phone.

If you’ve already completed a survey, we sincerely thank you for participating. Once available, the results will be published online. You can see results of past National Client Surveys on our website.