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Veterans Affairs Canada repays the nation’s debt of gratitude towards the men and women who have proudly served Canada in times of war, conflict and peace.
To ensure their continued well-being after release, VAC provides access to programs and services aimed at meeting their physical, psycho-social and financial needs. The comprehensive and integrated suite of programs available includes: Disability Benefits, Financial Benefits, Healthcare Benefits, the Veterans Independence Program, and the Vocational, Medical and Psycho-social Rehabilitation Program.
Year | Financial Resources ($ millions) |
Human Resources (FTEs) |
---|---|---|
2011-12 | 3,388.5 | 2,726.0 |
2012-13 | 3,165.5 | 2,726.0 |
2013-14 | 3,164.6 | 2,726.0 |
The Department contributes to well-being of Veterans by:
In the next three years, key priorities include:
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
909 | 2,263.9 | 909 | 2,007.2 | 909 | 2,007.2 |
Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
War Service and Canadian Forces Veterans, Canadian Forces members and still serving and retired members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police feel the disability compensation that they have received from Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes their service-related disability | Percentage of eligible Veterans and other individuals VAC serves who feel the disability benefits they have received from Veterans Affairs Canada has recognized their service-related disability | 65% |
Eligible Veterans and other individuals VAC serves do not experience low income | Percentage of Canadian Forces Veterans with family incomes below the Low Income Measure | <10% |
Legislation was tabled to improve NVC benefits to meet the unique, changing needs of today’s Veterans. If passed, this legislation will improve financial benefits for severely disabled Veterans, ensure a minimum annual income for those participating in rehabilitation and provide more flexible disability award payment options to CF members and Veterans.
The Department will focus on providing faster access to disability benefits by reducing internal complexity and the time required to render decisions.
Canadians are assured that Veterans will be provided programs and services that support their well being and the re-integration of Canadian Forces Veterans and their families to civilian life.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
1,817 | 1,124.6 | 1,817 | 1,158.3 | 1,817 | 1,157.4 |
Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Veterans in receipt of home care services through the Veterans Independence Program are able to remain in their own homes and communities | Percentage of community dwelling Veterans in receipt of the Veterans Independence Program who are admitted to a long term care facility during the fiscal year | <10% |
Canadian Forces Veterans who are not retired or totally disabled actively participate in the civilian workforce | Percentage of Veterans who are not retired or totally disabled who actively participate in the workforce | 80% |
War Service and Canadian Forces Veterans, Canadian Forces members , still serving and retired members of the RCMP report "good", "very good" or "excellent" mental health | Percentage of eligible Veterans and other individuals VAC serves who report "good", "very good" or "excellent" mental health | 70% |
VAC will provide faster access to needed treatment benefits by streamlining approvals and placing more reliance on the treating health professionals.
The Department will reduce the administrative burden and provide faster payments for those receiving VIP benefits.
VAC will continue to delegate greater authority for decisions relating to rehabilitation plans to front line staff in order to provide faster, more effective service for those who are participating in the Rehabilitation Program while at the same time maintaining due diligence on files.
The Department will continue discussions and negotiations with the Province of Quebec about the potential transfer of Ste. Anne’s Hospital, while ensuring that Veterans continue to receive care and the Hospital’s expertise in geriatrics and psycho geriatrics is maximized.
Canadians will be assured that Veterans are provided access to health benefits and rehabilitation services, more specifically in areas such as mental health, case management and home care.
Generations of Canadian Veterans, through their courage, determination and sacrifice have helped to ensure that Canadians are able to live in a free and peaceful country. Perpetuating the remembrance of their contributions is ultimately dependent on a Canadian population that is engaged in acknowledging their achievements and sacrifices through remembrance based activities.
Remembrance activities are an essential component of ensuring that future generations understand the high cost of freedom and the importance of protecting human rights, freedom and justice around the world.
Year | Financial Resources ($ millions) |
Human Resources (FTEs) |
---|---|---|
2011-12 | 41.4 | 101 |
2012-13 | 44.6 | 101 |
2013-14 | 44.6 | 101 |
VAC contributes to ongoing remembrance by:
In the next three years, key priorities include:
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
78 | 12.8 | 78 | 13.6 | 78 | 13.6 |
Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
The memory of the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada in war, military conflict and peace is preserved | Percentage of Canadians aware of the achievements and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans | 70% |
VAC is committed to increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in remembrance activities. Commemorating and recognizing Veterans, both traditional and Canadian Forces, helps to keep the memories of their achievements and sacrifices alive for all Canadians.
The Department will focus on creating better awareness among Canadians of the actions of Veterans, including greater recognition of Canadian Forces Veterans.
VAC will develop and strengthen corporate partnerships in order to increase the participation of the private sector in commemoration.
The Department will continue to consult with Canadian Forces and traditional Veterans, stakeholders and Canadians to ensure remembrance activities reflect how they wish to see Canadian Veterans honoured and recognized.
VAC will make effective use of partnerships and technology to build on activities aimed at strengthening youth involvement in remembrance activities.
The Department will begin planning commemorative initiatives to mark the 2014-2018 centennial anniversaries of the First World War and other upcoming significant military anniversaries.
Canadians, especially youth will be informed about our military history through commemorative efforts that recognize and honour those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
23 | 28.6 | 23 | 31.0 | 23 | 31.0 |
Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Canadian Veterans and war dead are recognized and honoured in death | Percentage of Canadians who feel it is important that Veterans Affairs Canada maintains memorials, cemeteries, grave markers and provides funeral and burial assistance | 75% |
The Department will continue to honour the sacrifices made by Veterans through ongoing maintenance and improvements of memorials, cemeteries and grave markers. In particular, VAC will focus on signage and maintenance at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial at Vimy Ridge, improving interpretation at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and at the European Memorial sites, which receive over one million visitors annually.
Canadians are assured that memorials, cemeteries and grave markers of our war dead will be maintained as lasting symbols that honour the sacrifices and accomplishments of those who bravely served Canada in war and peace.
The Veterans Ombudsman exists to promote the fair and equitable treatment of Veterans and/or their representative who have applied for, or are in receipt of, benefits and services from VAC.
To accomplish this, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman provides Veterans and other individuals with information and referrals to facilitate their access to programs and services and provides them with the opportunity to request an independent review of their complaint by an impartial individual who was not part of the original decision-making process.
Year | Financial Resources ($ millions) |
Human Resources (FTEs) |
---|---|---|
2011-12 | 5.9 | 40 |
2012-13 | 5.9 | 40 |
2013-14 | 5.9 | 40 |
The Veterans Ombudsman has the mandate to:
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
40 | 5.9 | 40 | 5.9 | 40 | 5.9 |
Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|---|
Veterans and their families are aware of and have access to the Ombudsman Services | Percentage of Veterans and their families surveyed that feel they have access to and are aware of the services that the Ombudsman offers | 80% |
Veterans and their families are aware of the issues and recommendations raised by the Ombudsman's Office | Percentage of Veterans and their families surveyed that have an awareness of the issues raised by the Ombudsman Office | 80% |
Observations and reports submitted to the Department are acknowledged | Percentage of responses to observations and reports submitted to the Department | 80% |
The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman will continue early intervention activities so that complaints are resolved in a timely and appropriate manner.
The Office of the Veterans Ombudsman will focus on initiating and investigating three systemic issues.
By maintaining public consultation initiatives (including web-based approaches, town halls and speaking platforms) aimed at engaging Veterans and other stakeholders, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman will be better able to identify and inform all stakeholders on issues of concerns and emerging priorities.
Canadians are assured that Veterans will be afforded the benefits, services and support that they are due and that none will be left behind. Veterans are assured that their rights, as outlined in the Veterans Bill of Rights, are upheld and that they have a voice in the Ombudsman who will address their concerns.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
798 | 87.4 | 798 | 84.4 | 798 | 84.4 |
Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization.
These groups include Management and Oversight Services, Communications Services, Legal Services, Human Resources Management Services, Financial Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Real Property Services, Materiel Services, Acquisition Services, and Travel and Other Administrative Services.
Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.
VAC is a participant in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and contributes to Greening Government Operations targets through the Internal Services Program Activity. VAC’s Sustainable Development Strategy also covers the support services provided to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board under a Memorandum of Understanding.
Canadians are assured that programs and services are managed using sound management principles in areas such as planning, budgeting, reporting and communicating to Canadians.