In this edition
- Programs and services
- Understand and improve mental health
- Call for applications: Community support grants for organizations supporting those impacted by military sexual misconduct
- Veteran stories
- Major (Ret’d) Kristin Topping
- Commemoration
- Hurricane Fiona clean-up
- Veterans’ Week 2022
- Commemoration calendar
- Engagement
- Nominate someone you know for a Minister’s Commendation
- Welcome to The Legion
- Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
- Reminder: The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund deadline is 14 November 2022
Programs and services
Understand and improve mental health
You can learn about the many dimensions of mental health and strategies to help build resilience in LifeSpeak’s fall awareness campaign, until November 20.
This series of online resources covers how mental health impacts physical health; navigating the mental health care system; misconceptions about depression; understanding your emotions; and much more.
- Part 1: Demystifying mental health
- Part 2: The unique challenges of underrepresented communities
- Part 3: Seeing and squashing stigma
- Part 4: Building resilience: The key to long-term success
Log in to LifeSpeak from any computer or mobile device. Use the Access ID: canada.
For free, professional help, you can also reach the VAC Assistance Service at any time by calling 1-800-268-7708 or use the chat service. For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, contact TTY at 1-800-567-5803.
Call for applications:
Community support grants for organizations supporting those impacted by military sexual misconduct
Do you know an organization developing supports and resources for those impacted by military sexual misconduct?
The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre has launched a call for applications for its new Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program. Every initiative, activity, or service developed through this program will address the needs of current and former CAF members affected by military sexual misconduct, and their families. Supports could include:
- providing information, support, and referrals or access to hospital, medical, or police services through a communication line
- individual and group counselling to support individuals affected by sexual misconduct (including family members)
- outreach to Indigenous communities and underserved remote locations
- assisting in the areas of healing, trauma, health care, housing, employment, criminal justice, or legal rights and responsibilities
- developing innovative tools (including virtual) that enable survivors to better access resources.
Organizations will be evaluated based on how funding would help support the needs of women, men, gender diverse people, those living in rural and remote areas, Black people, Indigenous People, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, 2SLBGTQI+ people, immigrants, and those who are unable to access in-person help.
Spread the word
Applications for the new grant program are open from 18 October to 15 November 2022. If you or someone you know may be interested, please visit the Grant Program website or email SMRCGrant-SubventionCIIS@forces.gc.ca.
Note: grants cannot be awarded to CAF members or federal public service employees.
Veteran stories
Veteran story: Major (Ret’d) Kristin Topping
Change in the culture
Kristin Topping describes her Canadian military career as an engineer as charmed—until her last concussion led her to take a new direction. She shares her experience and her advice for all CAF members, from new recruits to those about to release.
Born in southern Alberta, growing up in Sanford, Manitoba, Kristin knew very young that she wanted to attend the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. “I didn’t even apply to other universities,” she says.
Do you have a story to share about experience in the Canadian Armed Forces? Tell us about it by email.
Commemoration
Boots on the ground in Eastern Canada
Floods, snowstorms, wildfires, you name it—Mother Nature has devastated many Canadian communities.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, people from all over, including members of the Canadian Armed Forces, came to the aid of Atlantic Canadians.
Many Veterans also answered the call to serve their neighbours in their time of need. Through Team Rubicon Canada, the Veteran-led humanitarian organization, Greyshirt volunteers from across the country deployed within the first 48 hours after the storm.
Ground and aerial reconnaissance teams surveyed damage in impacted areas to help prioritize support to the most vulnerable. In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, chainsaw teams worked to help clear roads and restore power for residents cut off from essential aid.
Once again, our Veterans have shown their bond to serve, and continue to show up for Canadians.
Thank you for your service.
Veterans’ Week 2022 is November 5 to 11
From the battlefields around the world, to disaster response efforts here at home, Canada’s military history is diverse—so are the people and their lived experiences. Here are just a few of their stories.
Trooper (Ret’d) Gordon Fennell
Gordon Fennell enlisted with the Highland Light Infantry of Canada in June 1940 at just 18 years old. He saw action in Dieppe, France, and later participated in the successful Allied invasion of Sicily during the Italian Campaign.
His service lasted until 30 October 1945, when he retired with the rank of Trooper—a Trooper with a very lucky pair of shoes. This is his story.
Corporal (Ret’d) Francine Beaudry
Indigenous Veteran Francine Beaudry was the best sharpshooter in her recruit course and graduated at the top of her class.
After joining the military in 1976, she served as a peacekeeper in Egypt, and also deployed to West Germany. She even sent coded messages from an underground bunker during the Gulf War. This is her story.
Captain (Ret’d) Josh Bowen
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Josh Bowen joined the Primary Reserves in 2004. His first job in the military was to serve in the Governor General’s Foot Guard at Rideau Hall. Little did he know, though, that his path would lead him to become an expert in domestic disaster response.
With experience responding to floods, fires and a global pandemic under his belt, Bowen is widely recognized as an expert in emergency management. This is his story.
For more than 100 years, millions of Canadians have proudly served our country in uniform. We have a duty to remember and honour the sacrifices of all those who have served our country.
This Veterans’ Week, in the lead up to Remembrance Day, we invite you to share your story and the stories of our Veterans.
Together, we’ll inspire our families and friends to participate in remembrance. To get started, use #CanadaRemembers on social media and check out our website for all things related to Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day.
Commemoration calendar
- November 5–11:
- Veterans’ Week
- November 8:
- Indigenous Veterans Day
- November 8:
- End of the Battle of the Scheldt, 1944
- November 10:
- 105th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Passchendaele, 1917
- November 11:
- Remembrance Day
- November 18:
- End of the Battle of the Somme, 1916
- November 24-25:
- Canadian peacekeepers first arrive in Egypt, 1956
- December 5:
- Canadian Armed Forces members first arrive in Afghanistan (2001)
- December 6:
- 105th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion (1917)
- December 8:
- Beginning of the Defence of Hong Kong (1941)
Are you or someone you know interested in sharing about your military experience? We would love to hear from you. Contact us at canadaremembers-lecanadasesouvient@veterans.gc.ca to learn more.
Engagement
Nominate someone you know for a Minister’s Commendation
Does this sound like someone you know?
“Individuals who have performed commendable service to the Veteran community and/or individuals who represent commendable role models for their fellow Veterans.”
If it does, you can nominate them to receive a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in formal recognition of their contributions.
Canadians from all walks of life step forward and provide outstanding volunteer service to Veterans, their communities and their country year-round. Throughout November, we’ll see those same people dedicate even more time and effort to honouring Canada’s Veterans.
Whether it be through contributions to the care and well-being of Veterans or in remembrance of their sacrifices and achievements, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation recognizes and honours these actions.
Visit the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation page to find out how to nominate someone you know who deserves this kind of recognition and nominate them today.
Welcome to The Legion
The Legion invites serving or retired CAF or RCMP members and their eligible family members who have not yet joined the Legion to a free year of membership.
Support Canadian Veterans
The Royal Canadian Legion is one of the most vocal supporters of Canada’s military community. For nearly a century, the Legion has provided essential services to Veterans when they need it most, advocated for Veterans’ needs and helped Canadians honour the sacrifices of those who serve.
But it needs your support to continue our important work. To help you get to know the Legion, it’s offering a free first year of membership to all serving and retired CAF and RCMP members who have not yet joined the Legion.
The free first year of membership is also open to all parents or guardians, spouses and children (18 years and over) of serving, retired or passed CAF and RCMP members who have not yet joined the Legion.
Join generations of Veterans, military families, and supporters. Become a member today.
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund
Reminder: The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund deadline is 14 November 2022
Does your organization support the well-being of Veterans and their families?
You can apply for the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund. Funding is available to organizations from the private, public or academic sectors doing research and implementing projects and initiatives in support of the well-being of Veterans and their families. Applications will be accepted until 14 November 2022.
Not sure if you qualify? Check out our funding guidelines.
Interested in applying? Register here.
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.