Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs

Comité permanent des anciens combattants

For immediate release

Ottawa, May 24, 2018 -

Today, Neil Ellis, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, tabled a report entitled A Seamless Transition to Civilian Life for All Veterans: It’s Time for Action.

“We chose this title to underscore the frustration that many veterans expressed throughout the study,” said Mr. Ellis. “Reiterating the recommendations of the Veterans Ombudsman and the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Ombudsman, these veterans were clear in saying that transition issues are well known, and that many solutions to resolve them have already been identified. What’s needed now is better coordination between CAF and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) in implementing those recommendations.”

The report contains 15 recommendations and is divided into five sections. The first section describes the process that begins when a member of the CAF becomes ill or injured until the time that they have to be released for medical reasons. This process can take from two to five years, and in complex cases CAF members are transferred to the Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU).

The second section describes the criticism against JPSU, particularly its staffing problems and the solutions to resolve them. The third section describes the complexity of services provided in the six months before members are released and become veterans. The fourth section describes the spiritual and social difficulties members encounter during this period, as many of them experience a loss of identity and are unprepared for the challenges of civilian life because they have spent most of their adult lives in the military. The fifth section describes the services provided by the Department of National Defence, VAC and other organizations to support members’ transition after release.

The first finding from the study is that there is no clear definition of what is a successful transition. The Committee’s first recommendation is therefore “that Veterans Affairs Canada, in collaboration with the Department of National Defence, develop a comprehensive framework, including measurable variables, that would define the determinants of a successful transition.”

The second finding is that, contrary to what one might think, 60% of veterans who have a difficult transition were not medically released. The individualized support offered to members in transition is basically directed at those who are released for medical reasons and who have complex needs. This group accounts for only 10% of all members who are medically released. To meet the needs of veterans who are having difficulties during their transition, regardless of whether or not they were released for medical reasons, the Committee recommends “that the Canadian Armed Forces, in cooperation with Veterans Affairs Canada, develop an integrated transition plan and provide personalized monitoring to all members being released.”

In conducting this study, the Committee held 13 meetings and heard close to 50 witnesses, beginning in February 2018. The Members would like to offer their sincere thanks to those witnesses for their contributions, and they hope the report accurately reflects the many points of view that were expressed.

The report can be viewed online on the Committee’s website.