Minister Fantino Receives Standing Committee Report on the New Veterans Charter

OTTAWA, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today issued this statement following the release of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) report, The New Veterans Charter: Moving Forward.  

"I am pleased that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) has released its report on the New Veterans Charter. I commend the Committee for its considered approach on all aspects of the report. The unanimity of the report's recommendations shows a common desire of all members to improve the New Veterans Charter for Veterans and their families.  

"As you will recall, on September 26, 2013, I asked the Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the New Veterans Charter, including all enhancements, with a special focus on the most seriously injured, support for families, the delivery of programs, and how we define and demonstrate the Government of Canada's relationship with Canadian Veterans.  

"Committee hearings are the appropriate forum for all voices to be heard, including Veterans, family members, other interested individuals and subject matter experts.  

"I thank the Standing Committee for its work on this report, and its members' continued commitment to examining issues of concern to Canadian Veterans. I also thank the witnesses who participated in this review for their invaluable input and insightful perspectives on making the transition to civilian life.   

"Our government's record of leadership and support for Veterans is second to none, with over $4.7 billion in investments since we came into office.

"This report will help us build on the unprecedented improvements to the comprehensive medical and psychosocial support we already provide to our Veterans and their families, accessible at specialized clinics, through peer support networks and registered mental health providers in communities across Canada.

"By making the Veterans Independence Program more user-friendly for those who need services such as grass cutting and house cleaning, we have kept Veterans living independently in their homes. By reducing red tape, we have helped yet other Veterans access up to $75,800 in vocational training and learning tools that will help them make a fulfilling transition to civilian life.

"Our supports will only grow with the new measures announced in the 2014 Economic Action Plan, including new funding to ensure modern-day Veterans of modest means have access to a dignified funeral and burial; and an additional $2.1 million this year to enhance our online services to Veterans through My VAC Account.  

"Now that we have received the report, we will review it carefully, and provide the Government of Canada's response early this fall, within the 120-day timeline prescribed by the Standing Committee."

Image with caption: "Minister Fantino, accepting a copy of the unanimous report on the comprehensive review of the New Veterans Charter from members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, at Parliament Hill. (CNW Group/Veterans Affairs Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140603_C8218_PHOTO_EN_41040.jpg

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information:

Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-793-0471

Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468