May 2023

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Programs and services

New Veteran Homelessness Program

Thousands of Veterans experience homelessness every year. To help, the Government of Canada has launched a new Veteran Homelessness Program.

The program is being administered by Infrastructure Canada with support from Veterans Affairs Canada. It will provide funding to organizations that help Veterans experiencing homelessness.

The program delivers contribution funding through two streams:

• The Services and Supports Stream provides $72.9 million in funding for rent supplements and “wrap-around” services, such as counselling and treatment for substance use.
• The Capacity Building Stream provides $6.2 million in funding for research on Veteran homelessness and supports capacity building in the homelessness-serving sector to help those organizations respond to the needs of Veterans.

Qualifying recipients, including Veteran-serving organizations, can apply to one or both funding streams on the online portal, open now through 23 June 2023.

For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the Infrastructure Canada website.

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How does the new Rehabilitation Program contract affect you?

We know you may have questions about how the recent changes to the Department’s Rehabilitation Program will impact Veterans participating in the program, here is what you need to know.

• Your VAC Case Manager is still your point of contact in developing your rehabilitation plan;
• The program and eligibility criteria have not changed, all Veterans in the Rehabilitation Program are receiving the same level of service;
• We have built in feedback points so that Veterans participating in the program can provide feedback at critical steps to ensure success;
• Military Cultural Awareness training is mandatory for all the rehabilitation specialists; and
• All providers must have professional designations in place.

Despite there being some challenges, there have been successes as well:

• More than 5,000 Veterans have successfully transitioned into the program;
• More than 12,000 professionals, including psychologists, psychotherapists, physicians, nurses, general practitioners, physiotherapists, massage therapists, social workers and vocational rehabilitation specialists are in place to provide services; and
• Veterans who want to keep their current provider can absolutely do so.

If you have concerns over the service you are receiving through the Rehabilitation Program, please let your Case Manager know. We want to ensure that your needs are being met, and that you receive all of the support available to you through the program.

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Living with chronic pain: expert insight you can use

Is pain an issue for you? Then you can learn a lot about dealing with it from two recent podcasts from the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Veterans. These discussions offer research-based information on practices and options for Veterans living with chronic pain.

In season 2 of The Most Painful Podcast, host Tom Hoppe speaks with a McGill University associate professor from the Department of Psychiatry in episode 6, “Veterans in the media with Dr. Rob Whitley.” They look at what Dr. Whitley has learned from talking with Veterans about the role of medical cannabis in treating their chronic pain. This inspired him to make the YouTube series “Cannabis and Mental Health.” The videos feature interviews with Veterans, and experts in the field.

Season 2, episode 7 features Dr. Abhimanyu Sud, Chief Scientific Officer with the Centre of Excellence, talking with Tom about working with the breath and living with chronic pain. In Intentional Breathing, Dr. Sud, takes you through a yogic breathing exercise you can use.

Check out all the episodes, or find The Most Painful Podcast on your favourite listening app.

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Lifespeak videos discuss alcoholism and mental health and racism

Our lives don’t stand still. We constantly face new challenges and LifeSpeak understands. Their latest expert-led videos can be great additions to your self-care learning. Each video is part of a series that dives deeper into the topic.

Expert advice on issues that concern us

How do racism and discrimination affect our well-being? In Racism and its impacts on mental health, Dr. Lisa Ndejuru discusses the signs to look for, and what you can do if you are experiencing racism.

If you find you have headaches or migraines, you will want to learn more from Dr. William Kingston’s What is the difference between a migraine and an ordinary headache?

Lisa Pender offers insight on How digital wellness can help you navigate a world of constant connectivity. She has three simple questions we can ask ourselves to check how our use of technology may be affecting us.

Shahnaz Khawaja describes various levels of alcohol use, keeping in mind biological factors. Her series explores harm reduction strategies for our use of alcohol.

Log in to LifeSpeak from any computer or mobile device, using the Access ID: canada.

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Reminder: The Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) Group Health Insurance is moving to Canada Life

As of 1 July 2023, the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) administrator will change from Sun Life to Canada Life.

If you are a Veteran or survivor with Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) coverage through VAC, you should have received an enrolment package from Canada Life containing forms for completion.

You must return your forms using the postage paid return envelope by 15 June 2023 to avoid coverage termination and claims payment interruptions. If you have not received a package, or if you have any questions, contact Canada Life by email, or call 1-855-415-4414.

Keep your personal information up to date.

To ensure a seamless transition, please keep your personal information up to date with both Sun Life and Canada Life until 30 June 2023.

To do this, visit Sun Life PSHCP Members Services and select updating your positive enrolment information, or call the Sun Life Call Centre at 1-888-757-7427.

Please note that the change will not impact the benefits available to members and their families, nor the Public Service Health Care Plan premiums.

For more information, visit Canada Life PSHCP or call 1-855-415-4414.

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Veteran story: Jason Green

Serving the community—in service and after

Jason Green joined the RCMP to help people. He continues to serve his New Brunswick community, helping Veterans find housing.

Jason Green was born on Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, where his parents and one of his brothers still live. He remembers that he always wanted to join the RCMP, from the time he was little. “My Mom still has a card I made showing how much I wanted to be a Mountie.

Read his full story.

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Veteran story: Kelly Mitchelmore

An artist inspired by time at sea

Kelly Mitchelmore’s experiences at sea in the Royal Canadian Navy inspired her art.

Known for her moody coastal scenes and her love of red with her poppy series, the Nova Scotia native paints in both acrylic and oil, with a focus on nature and scenic pieces. Her Bachelor of Interior Design degree has aided her with colour theory and perspective when creating her pieces.

Now a full-time artist, she served 14 years in the Royal Canadian Navy. Kelly joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist through HMCS Scotian in 1989. Like her father before her, she was a naval signalman After several years, she joined the regular forces, and then joined Navcom until 2003, when she left the military. She says that her favourite moments were when she was at sea, and they inspired her Nova Scotia Strong series of paintings—nights that she would be on watch in the middle of the ocean with endless blue.

Her poppy series are a connection to her military career. She finds painting poppies like coming home; it comforts her.

Kelly is a fan of “support local,” and uses her art to promote and support her local area as much as possible. She is involved with everything from mentorship programs and bursaries, to operating "A is for Art," a free and supportive platform to promote local artists. Whether painting or teaching or showing, Kelly enjoys a holistic approach to art and encourages all types of art on all levels.

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You can see more of her work on her website, Kelly Mitchelmore.

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Correction:

In the previous edition, we mistakenly identified Veteran Farid Yaghini’s operational role. He was a Land Communications Tech. Salute! regrets the error.

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Commemoration

The 75^th anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping

This May 29 marks the 75^th anniversary of the first United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission.

In the spring of 1948, the UN Security Council authorized a small number of military observers to deploy to the Middle East to monitor the cease-fire agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

To honour this milestone, Veterans Affairs Canada will be hosting an event partnered with Veterans and UN-adjacent groups on 29 May 2023 at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. An educational exhibit and gathering at the Shaw Centre will follow.

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Canadians in the Golan Heights

In the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War, the United Nations was called upon to provide much-needed peacekeeping support in the Golan Heights of Syria. In 1974, the United Nations’ Disengagement Observation Force (UNDOF) was formed with the purpose of supervising the cease-fire between Syria and Israel, and monitoring the situation thereafter.

More than 12,000 Canadian peacekeepers have served there over the years. They’ve performed a wide range of duties for their fellow UN troops, including transportation, communications and more. This mission is considered one of the longest-running international commitments ever undertaken by Canada.

This month, the People and stories section of our Remembrance website features the stories of Golan Heights Veterans Donald Ethell and Chief Warrant Officer (Ret’d) Claude Cromwell.

You can learn more on the Canadian Armed Forces in the Golan Heights of Syria page on our Remembrance website.

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May 29: International Day of United Nations peacekeepers

The Canadian Armed Forces protect our country while also supporting international peace and security. Over the past several decades, our military has proudly deployed overseas to participate in various peace operations – always standing up for what we believe is right.

Every year on May 29, the world pays tribute to the hundreds of thousands of United Nations peacekeepers who have fostered global security and freedom. Here at home, we honour the approximately 130 Canadians who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping efforts.

Learn more about the contributions of Canadian peacekeepers on the Faces of Peace – Canadian peacekeepers page.

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It’s easier to apply for project funding from the Commemorative Partnership Program

Is your organization planning an initiative that honours Canada’s Veterans? Veterans Affairs Canada’s (VAC) Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP) could be for you!

Through the CPP, VAC supports projects that honour those who have served our country. Funding is provided for two types of projects: Community Engagement and Community War Memorial.

If your organization is planning a commemorative event or project, we strongly encourage you to submit an application at least three months before the project start date.

VAC aims to notify applicants in writing of its funding decision within 12 weeks of the application being received, provided that an application is deemed complete. Funding, which may be approved in part or in full, is subject to the availability of resources in any given fiscal year.

Community War Memorial funding

Community War Memorial funding supports the construction, restoration or expansion of a community war memorial.

Applications for up to $10,000 in Community War Memorial funding are accepted year-round for small restoration projects. The deadline for funding applications up to $25,000, is 1 December 2023, for projects taking place after 1 April 2024.

Community Engagement funding

Community Engagement funding supports initiatives such as remembrance activities or the development of commemorative materials. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for requests of $5,000 or less. Please consult the Community Engagement page for the application deadline for requests up to $25,000.

Applying is easier than ever

A new online application for the program makes it easier to submit applications for funding by completing applications entirely online.

For up to date information about application deadlines, eligible recipients, program guidelines and how to submit applications, please visit our Community Engagement page.

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Commemoration calendar

May 3:

John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields, 1915

May 5:

Liberation of the Netherlands, 1945

May 7:

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday

May 8:

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, 1945

May 11-12:

Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence began, 1942

May 23:

150^th anniversary of the creation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 1873

May 28:

Canada’s Unknown Soldier laid to rest in a tomb in front of the National War Memorial, 2000

May 29:

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

June 2:

Battle of Mont Sorrel began in Belgium, 1916

June 6:

D-Day and the beginning of the Battle of Normandy, 1944

June 15:

Large contingent of Canadian peacekeepers left Cyprus, 1993

June 25:

The Korean War began, 1950

June 27:

Sinking of the Llandovery Castle hospital ship with loss of 14 Canadian Nursing Sisters, 1918

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Engagement

Exploring Veterans’ experiences with cannabis use and mental health

The use of cannabis among Veterans to treat chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders is growing steadily. Last year, more than 18,000 Veterans who qualified for cannabis for medical purposes submitted claims through VAC reimbursement policy. While the merits of using cannabis for chronic pain are well-documented,  research about the relationship between cannabis and mental health continues.

The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families and the Mental Health Commission of Canada address this in a report released in February 2023. These organizations have spoken directly with Veterans, their family members, and those who support and provide care for them.

Seven themes emerged from participants who shared their experiences, including the:

• need for mental health practitioners to get more training on cannabis use,
• need for Veterans and their families to get more information on cannabis drug interactions, and
• continued stigmatization of cannabis use to treat mental health conditions.

The report highlights the potential of cannabis to help with certain mental health conditions, and the need for more research to understand the effectiveness and risks. Read the full report to learn more.

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