January 13, 2012
Dartmouth — The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, visited Nova Scotia today to meet with representatives of Veterans Emergency Transition Services (V.E.T.S.), an organization that provides support to homeless Canadian Veterans.
Minister Blaney commended Veterans Emergency Transition Services for their work on behalf of Canadian Veterans who are in difficult circumstances, helping them access appropriate assistance and services related to their housing, health and social needs.
“Our Government commends Veterans Emergency Transition Services for their hard work in ensuring Canada’s Veterans have the support they so rightly deserve,” said Minister Blaney. “Our Government has been working hard to ensure homeless Veterans are getting the care and benefits they need and deserve. Through our involvement in programs such as Leave the Streets Behind, we have been expanding our efforts across the country to reach out to our Veterans.”
At the meeting, Minister Blaney spoke about the services and benefits available to Veterans and their families through Veterans Affairs Canada. The Minister stressed that the department is reaching out to homeless Veterans and will continue to explore ways to identify homeless Veterans and those Veterans at risk of being homeless.
Nationally, Veterans Affairs Canada has made contact with over 190 organizations that support the homeless. In more than 50 towns and cities, the department is working to provide all Veterans at risk with information about programs and services that may help them. The department has also established outreach initiatives in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to provide assistance to homeless Veterans.
For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada’s programs and services, please visit veterans.gc.ca.
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