July 2022

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Commemoration

26 years ago: CAF help Quebec residents in Saguenay floods

Canadian Armed Forces members setting up white tents in a field.
CAF members set up to assist during the Saguenay River floods in 1996.

26 years have passed since the devastating Saguenay floods in Quebec.

Canadian Armed Forces members stepped up to evacuate people caught in the rising floodwaters. In addition to helping sandbag vulnerable areas, they rescued many residents by helicopter and boat, taking them to CFB Bagotville.

Sadly, ten civilians died in the flash floods, and hundreds lost their homes.

Learn more about it on our Service in Canada Remembrance page.

 

Wrens turn 80!

Five of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service drummers at HMCS Conestoga, Galt, Ontario, circa June 1944. They are wearing their distinct blue uniforms with white berets.
Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service drummers at HMCS Conestoga, Galt, Ontario, circa June 1944.

July 31 marks the eightieth anniversary of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service.

Better known as the “Wrens,” nearly 7,000 Canadian women served in the military's naval branch. Initially responsible for administrative tasks to support the sailors who were stationed at sea, they later took on roles in several other trades, from coding to signaling.

The Wrens would take women around the globe during the Second World War—paving the way for future generations to actively serve.

Learn more about women in the Canadian military.

 

Commemoration Calendar

Significant anniversaries occurring in July and August:

July 1:
Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel, 1916
July 2:
30th anniversary of Canadian peacekeepers arriving in Sarajevo to secure the airport for flights of humanitarian supplies, 1992
July 5:
The creation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the “Black Battalion”, 1916
July 7:
End of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan, 2011
July 9-10:
Caen liberated during the Battle of Normandy, 1944
July 10:
Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily begins, 1943
July 27:
Korean War Armistice, 1953
July 31:
80th anniversary of the founding of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, 1942
August 1:
creation of the North American Air Defence Command (NORAD), 1957
August 8:
Beginning of Battle of Amiens and start of Canada's Hundred Days, 1918
August 9:
National Peacekeepers' Day
August 13:
The Canadian Women's Army Corps is established, 1941
August 15:
VJ Day/End of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific, 1945
August 19:
80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, 1942
August 25:
End of the Battle of Hill 70, 1917
 

Programs and services

VAC’s Pastoral Outreach Program is here for you

You and your immediate family can get spiritual support through VAC’s pastoral outreach program.

If you are dealing with end-of-life issues, the death of a Veteran, a burial in the National Cemetery or bereavement, we can connect you with spiritual support. The Pastoral Outreach Program offers up to eight hours of free pastoral support per issue.

Many of the clergy associated with the pastoral outreach service are retired Canadian Forces padres or Royal Canadian Legion chaplains. They are familiar with the military way of life and the challenges you may face as you transition to post-service life, or deal with the loss of a loved one.

Services are offered in person, by phone, or virtually, according to the availability of padres in the network.

These services do not replace counselling by clergy. However, you can get prompt response when pastoral emergencies occur and you do not have access to local clergy.

The program is offered through the VAC Assistance Service. To access the Pastoral Outreach Program for spiritual support, call 1-800-268-7708 or TTY 1-800-567-5803, toll-free.

 

Togetherall online discussion forum for those affected by military sexual trauma

Veterans affected by military sexual trauma now have an online tool available to assist with their healing journey. The Military Sexual Trauma Togetherall discussion forum is the first of a series of peer support services being launched in 2022-2023.

Togetherall is a digital mental health and well-being company that partners with 150+ organizations across all employment sectors including healthcare providers in Nova Scotia and Alberta and the British military. Founded in 2007, Togetherall supports more than thirty million people world-wide through its virtual peer-to-peer community support platform and online resources.

Inspired by existing social media support communities for those affected by military sexual trauma, this new discussion forum gives people a safe and anonymous place to express their thoughts, concerns, and triumphs, without fear of judgement.

Mental health professionals monitor the community to ensure users’ safety and anonymity. Users can interact with the entire peer community, form small groups, or have one-to-one chats. It also provides access to resources, including assessments, courses, self-help journaling, goal setting tools, and a full catalogue of articles.

Veterans affected by military sexual trauma are encouraged to visit Togetherall, register for an account, and anonymously connect with others on their healing journey.

 

Career Transition Services contract awarded to Agilec

On 7 June 2022, Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) awarded a new contract to Agilec to continue providing Career Transition Services on behalf of VAC.

VAC and Agilec are working closely to ensure the transition to the new contract is seamless for Veterans and there is no interruption or change to services they receive. The new contract for Career Transition Services will provide the same supports to Veterans, but includes measures to improve how the service is delivered, such as dedicated Veteran staff to help translate military experience to skills and knowledge for the civilian workforce.

PSPC is the Government of Canada's Centre of Expertise for procurement and contracting. The contracting process was fair and transparent. This ensures high-quality services for Veterans and the best value for the Government of Canada.

For questions about this procurement process, please call PSPC at 1-800-811-1148.

Learn more about Career Transition Services and the job supports available to you.

 

Canadian organizations doing great work with support from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund

In June, the Veteran and Family Well Being Fund (VFWF) announced funding for programs that benefit Veterans and their families:

Based in Alberta, Can Praxis will receive $460,000 for their “Breaking the Cycle” family program to provide tools to children of Veterans with occupational stress injuries that will help them understand and live with the realities of their parents’ injuries. The program works to break the cycle that trauma can create within families, and provides a healthier future for these children.

As a result of the 2021–2022 call for applications, a number of projects will receive $11.3 million from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund. These projects focus on issues affecting Veterans and their families during post-COVID-19 recovery, such as homelessness, retraining, employment and health challenges. This fund also supports equity-seeking groups such as women and LGBTQ2 Veterans.

Since 2018, the VFWF has provided financial support to private, public and academic organizations to improve the lives of Veterans and their families.

There will be more announcements to come in the months ahead. In the meantime, you can consult the full list of recipients.

 

Engagement

Recognizing LGBTQ2+ Veterans during Pride Season

Pride rainbow colors throughout a banner and Canadian maple leaf symbol.
 

From June to September, we celebrate the impact of LGBTQ2+ Veterans past, present and future.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Michelle Douglas’s successful lawsuit against the military, which resulted in the end of its discriminatory policy against LGBTQ2+ service members, known as the LGBT Purge. It also marks the fifth anniversary of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s apology on behalf of all Canadians for past discrimination against LGBTQ2+ public servants, including the foreign service, the military and the RCMP.

VAC continues to commemorate, recognize and serve LGBTQ2+ Veterans. Visit the Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans to learn more about their work to advancing gender equality, diversity and inclusion for women and LGBTQ2+ Veterans.

 

Get out and ride this summer!

Do you like to cycle? If you do, then join the annual Navy Bike Ride taking place virtually from 12 June to 7 August.

The Navy Bike Ride challenges everyone on two, three, or more wheels to complete 28 rides representing Canada’s 24 Naval Reserve Divisions, three naval bases and Naval Headquarters. Registration is free. Sign up now and show your support.

For a $30 fee, you can participate in the Admiral’s Challenge. This premium event challenges riders to select one of three distances to complete from July 29 to August 7, 2022. Successful participation earns you an exclusive Navy Bike Ride coin to celebrate the achievement. You can sign up for:

  • the 20K RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) ride
  • the 80K anniversary ride or
  • the 112 Nautical Miles RCN Ride (207 km).

Funds raised through the event go to three great organizations­—the Support Our Troops Fund, Soldier On, and the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund, which is celebrating 80 years of service.

 

Veteran story: Dave Berry

Smooth sailing

Canadian Veteran Dave Berry in beret and leather jacket, displaying medals.

Dave Berry’s life and career changed direction a number of times. The eldest of four children, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy at 17 to help support his family. Since then, the shifts in his career have been surprising—even to him.

Read Dave’s full story on our article hub.

 

Canadian Veterans in their own words

Banner showing soldiers at ready in various duties, with the Faces of Freedom Podcast logo.
 

Catch up on your favourite stories—the stories of Canadian Veterans in their own words. In our Faces of Freedom podcast, you’ll hear from Canadians who have served at home and abroad.

From the end of the Second World War, to natural disaster relief and peace support operations, they bravely share their first-hand experience in the line of duty—and some of the challenges they faced along the way.

We all benefit from the incredible service and sacrifice of the more than 2.3 million Canadians who have proudly served our country in uniform.

Tune in through your favourite podcast player to rediscover the personal stories of our Canadian Veterans.

Listen to episodes on Apple Podcasts
Listen to episodes on Google Podcasts
Listen to episodes on Spodify
 

My VAC Account

 

Test-drive the new My VAC Account

Please help us improve My VAC Account by test-driving the new beta version.

Starting July 19, you’ll be able to test some of the proposed changes. Log in as usual, then select “Try the new My VAC Account beta” at the top of the home page.

You will be able to use either the original or the beta version to access all your usual My VAC Account options. And you can switch between either version as often as you’d like.

What is a beta version?

The My VAC Account beta will allow you to try a new look and feel, with updates to the home page and navigation menus. The new layout organizes everything you may need in convenient and accessible categories.

We will also be asking for suggestions on the new site design, so you’ll have an opportunity to influence what changes are still to come.

If you like the beta version and want to keep using it to access My VAC Account, you may notice small tweaks as we work on it behind the scenes.

We hope to see you behind the wheel!

 

Do you know other Veterans, family members or others who would benefit from the information in this newsletter? Feel free to share it with them.

 

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