As a result of their deliberations, committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces be more flexible in applying the principle of universality of military service and consider establishing a “limited assignment status”, as defined in the US Air Force Instruction 36‑3212.

Recommendation 2

That the Canadian Armed Forces medically release members only once:

• they have adequate housing options;
• they have access to gainful employment options or to a vocational program;
• they have adequate and continuing medical follow up for their condition;
• Veterans Affairs Canada has made a final adjudication on their application for a disability award and, if applicable, the financial benefits in parts 1, 2, 3 and 3.1 of the New Veterans Charter;
• all health, rehabilitation and vocational services under the responsibility of Veterans Affairs Canada have been put in place.

Recommendation 3

That, with the aim of securing access to family doctors and to other necessary health and social services for veterans in the province / territory they settle:

• the Minister of Veterans Affairs engage with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Health’s provincial / territorial counterparts to increase access to family doctors for veterans;
• Veterans Affairs Canada coordinate its transition, employment, housing, health and rehabilitation services with the relevant provincial and territorial authorities and community agencies.

Recommendation 4

That, following the introduction of the education and training benefit in April 2018, Veterans Affairs Canada ensure that veterans who are released for medical reasons attributable to service and participate in the vocational program offered by the Service Income Security Insurance Plan do not receive less than veterans who are eligible for the education and training benefit.

Recommendation 5

That disability compensation for pain and suffering be offered as a lifetime pension and that, at the veteran’s request, it be convertible into a lump-sum payment based on the veteran’s age at the time of the injury or illness for which compensation was granted.

Recommendation 6

That the the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police require their recruits to sign up, upon enlistment, for a My Vac Account.

Recommendation 7

That upon enlistment of their recruits, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence be authorized to share, on an ongoing basis, relevant medical records with Veterans Affairs Canada, in accordance with existing privacy legislation.