Minister Hehr Highlights Care for Military Members in Canada’s new Defence Policy
News Release
June 8, 2017 – Ottawa, ON – Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces
Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada’s new defence policy, recognizes that the long-term success of Canada’s military depends on the women and men who make up the Canadian Armed Forces. Our people, across all ranks, and from all walks of life, are our most important asset, and they are at the core of the new policy.
Today, on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, met with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members at National Defence headquarters in Ottawa, to highlight the improved support and care they can expect as a result of the new policy.
The investments enable a number of critical changes concerning the care and support provided to CAF members and their families. Through Strong, Secure, Engaged, National Defence will reinvent the process for CAF members to transition out of the Armed Forces, or back into service after recovering from illness or injury.
To achieve this, and to maintain the well-being of our personnel and the effectiveness of the operational force, the Department of National Defence will establish a new 1,200-person CAF Transition Group which will include specialized staff and holding positions for ill and injured who are preparing to return to duty or transition out of the Canadian Armed Forces at the end of their military career. The CAF will also establish a Personnel Administration Branch of experts in military human resources and personnel administration to focus on and improve military human resources to all CAF members.
The Government of Canada recognizes that it cannot meet its defence needs at home and abroad without the dedicated, motivated, and highly skilled people who work tirelessly to defend Canada and promote Canadian values and interests abroad.
The new policy is an ambitious yet realistic plan that outlines the Government’s defence priorities over the next 20 years, and provides stable, predictable, and long-term funding. Strong, Secure, Engaged will deliver the support and capabilities our women and men in uniform need and deserve, as they work to make Canada strong at home, secure in North America, and engaged in the world.
Quotes
“As anyone who has served knows, military members are in constant transition as their roles change and careers advance. Of particular importance is the transition that takes place at the end of a military career. Our people deserve a smooth and effective process. By making transition a key issue in this defence policy, we ensure care for our people from the moment they join and until the moment they leave, and beyond.”
Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan
“For decades, management of the transition process has not been as strong as we need it to be for our members and veterans. We owe our service members respect and gratitude for all they do. This is why I am proud to be here today, to highlight the changes the government is making to reinvent the process of military transition.”
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs
Quick Facts
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The new Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group will be fully integrated with Veterans Affairs Canada, commanded by a General Officer and staffed from experts in human resources and personnel administration; and provide fully engaged, personalized, and guided support to the transition all CAF members, whether returning to service following an illness or injury, or to civilian life at the end of military service.
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Through Canada’s Defence Policy, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces will also:
- Improve care and deepen our knowledge in the area of mental health and implement progressive, evidence-based practices and technology, and cooperative relationships with world-class leaders in mental health.
- Invest $198.2 million over the course of the policy to implement a new Total Health and Wellness Strategy that will expand wellness beyond the traditional healthcare model to include promotion, prevention, treatment, and support, and provide a greater range of health and wellness services and programs.
- Augment the CAF’s medical services branch by 200 additional personnel to meet the increased level of care that will be part of the new Total Health and Wellness Strategy.
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The launch of Strong, Secure, Engaged concludes the most comprehensive review process in Canadian defence and security history – a year-long review process that included open and transparent consultations with Canadians, parliamentarians, defence experts, allies, and partners.
Associated Links
Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Sarah McMaster
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
Phone: 613-996-4649