Seamless Canada co-chairs, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence Bryan May representing MND Anita Anand, and Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Mary Wilson joined representatives from provinces and territories at the 2023 Seamless Canada Steering Committee (SCSC) meeting on May 24 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

“I am inspired by our military families, who are truly the strength behind the uniform, and encouraged to witness the collaboration, and commitment of provincial and territorial jurisdictions working together on the Seamless Canada initiative to support our nation’s military members and their families when they are posted. Making these transitions more seamless improves their quality of life and allows for greater support at home and an even stronger engagement in the world. We are grateful to military spouses, children, and families for supporting their loved ones through all transitions, including relocation.”  

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“Seamless Canada is all about putting people first. We ask a lot of our members as they serve Canada at home and abroad. They, and in-turn their families, are required to move between provinces and territories to train and gain the experience needed to respond in an era of deteriorating global security. We are grateful for the efforts of our provincial and territorial partners to understand the challenges our people face and to consider how they can help make lives better for our members and their families.”

General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff

“Growing up in a military home, I’m no stranger to the sacrifices made by our Canadian Armed Forces families. I am honoured to be co-chair of the Seamless Canada Steering Committee, representing military families across Canada including those living in my home province of New Brunswick. Over the years as an MLA, I’ve worked on many files but this one means more to me than anything I’ve ever done. So, it is my pleasure to be here to create meaningful discussion on how to continue improving the relocation of military families across Canada.”

Mary E. Wilson, MLA responsible for Military Affairs in New Brunswick

“Seamless Canada does vital work in coordination of services and resources across the country. This year’s focus on spousal employment is crucial as every military spouse/partner should be able to find rewarding job opportunities in their chosen field, no matter where their loved ones have been posted. The upcoming launch of the Seamless Canada website will give members and their families access to resources on a variety of important services, like access to healthcare.”

Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

• Since 2018, the SCSC annual meetings have provided a platform for joint efforts between representatives from the provinces and territories, and Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) leadership to collaborate and streamline coordination of services and support for CAF members and their families. The SCSC initiative, along with a number of related DND/CAF efforts, have resulted in a number of positive outcomes, such as:

  • The standard 90-day waiting period for access to health care services has been waived in most provinces and territories for military families;
  • Virtual health care is available for military families;
  • Employment and training support services have been developed for military spouses through the Military Spousal Employment Network;
  • A review of education barriers for students relocating between jurisdictions has been completed and a Student Mobility Guide is being developed; and,
  • Several provinces and territories have built customized websites for newly relocated military families, making it easier for them to navigate available resources and processes such as how to obtain a health card or driver’s license, which may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

• The Terms of Reference for the Seamless Canada Steering Committee, which were ratified in June 2022, are guiding the way forward and facilitating future engagement between provincial, territorial and private sector partners.

Related products

• Statement from Seamless Canada Steering Committee

Associated links

• A Seamless Canada for your Families

Daniel Minden
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: daniel.minden@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca