November 28, 2013
Ottawa – The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today issued the following statement:
"Our Government is dedicated to ensuring Veterans and their families have the support they need, when and where they need it, from coast to coast to coast.
"In order to support Canadian Veterans in their communities, Veterans Affairs Canada delivers a number of personalized benefits such as home visits by a registered nurse or case manager, in addition to grass cutting, snow clearing and home cleaning services.
"We have also made improvements such as increasing the number of case managers in the regions where Veterans need them most, and opening and maintaining 17 operational stress injury clinics and 24 integrated personnel support centres near Canadian Armed Forces bases and in major city centres right across Canada. As well, we recently expanded the reach of Veterans Affairs Canada by partnering with Service Canada to offer assistance to Veterans at close to 600 points of service in every region across the country.
"That partnership is being further strengthened: in regions where underused area offices will be winding down operations as of January 31, 2014, a Veterans Affairs Canada employee will be working out of the nearest Service Canada location to assist Veterans with their benefit applications, answer their questions and help them get access to services. This change means that a Veterans Affairs Canada client service agent will be assigned to Service Canada offices in Kelowna, British Columbia; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Brandon, Manitoba; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Windsor, Ontario; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, P.E.I.; and Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.
"This enhancement is being made to ensure that strong support remains in place for Veterans and families in communities where the change in service is taking place. It will assist with the transition, and is in addition to all the other ongoing services and support already provided, including home visits for Veterans who are seriously injured, the toll-free service offered through our National Veterans Contact Network and the range of payments provided to Veterans going through rehabilitation and transitioning into civilian life.
"We are committed to serving the men and women who have served Canada, as well as their families. We will continue to make improvements to ensure they receive the very best assistance possible."
For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada and Service Canada points of service for Veterans and their families, visit the "Contact Us" page at veterans.gc.ca.
Veterans Affairs Canada’s supports and services offer the right care at the right time to achieve the best results for Veterans and their families. Find out more at veterans.gc.ca.
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